Missions on the Frontline
a ministry of WorldVenture
The three biggest missions motivators at your church, and why?
In the spirit of sharing ideas, what are the three biggest missions motivators at your church? What has successfully gotten interest in missions perked for your community?
Maybe, in something you think it ordinary that you've been doing for a while, you'll inspire another church to give it a try.
Maybe, in something you think it ordinary that you've been doing for a while, you'll inspire another church to give it a try.
Tags: Missions, church, ideas, motivators
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Richard Sturz Jr on -
By far, the single biggest motivator towards missions and ministry has been involvement in our evangelistic outreach event we call "Promife" in Brazil. This week-long, impact-evangelism campaign has been pivotal in calling both young people and the not-so-young into missions and full-time ministry.
In other words, a hands-on project in which the focus is on Kingdom values and not personal gain is the most meaningful and best able to connect people with God's agenda for their lives.
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Permalink Reply by Chris Wynn on -
I agree. Personal experience and exposure gives an immense platform for the Spirit to work on the soul.
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Permalink Reply by Duncan Sprague on -
In addition to Rick Sturz great response, I'd also add that the biggest missions motivator at churches I've been involved with are "connected personal relationships" that are forged and tempered in the trenches of good outreach opportunities. Hearts get ensnared with one another while caught up in a greater purpose and meaning than our small stories and sometimes closed-in journeys. My closest friends are those that I have had to depend on in the midst of sacrifice and service for the sake of the gospel. It's in the times that I am thrust into relationship, with those whom I naturally and not-so-naturally relate with, where kinship, loyalty and love are given birth and mature. And out of the maturing process of love grows an increased desire to die, and die, and die again for those who have become increasingly more dear.
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Permalink Reply by Chris Wynn on
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When church leadership is aligned with their God-given role in local and global outreach, an entire congregation can be empowered and equipped in missions. I love to see Senior Pastors listening to God's heart for the unreached and to their community, and then casting a broad vision that involves the entire church. This can also free grassroots efforts that are creative and reproducible. Let's come to Christ, be transformed and go change the world! - From Harold Britton
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Permalink Reply by Aram Haroutunian on -
I agree with Duncan that "connected personal relationships" are a primary motivating factor. I also think having a creative leader(s) who possesses an "adventurous" spirit (i.e. to "blaze the path") goes a long way to motivating people. I have found that most folks feel overwhelmed by the thought of doing missions - and are blocked by questions like "what do I have to offer?" or "it's too expensive" or "how can I find the time?" . . . but having someone take initiative to show that it's not so scary and overwhelming can help folks take that first step. And in almost every trip I've been a part of (or witnessed), what seems overwhelming at first (e.g. finances) ends up being a joyful testimony of God's provision where you look back and say, "Don't know how we did it, but we did it!" It's taking that first step and simply getting a date on the calendar that seems move us towards transforming a dream or a "nice idea" into reality. The other thing that comes to mind is having people (who have been involved in missions) share their stories of transformation before the Body - that is a huge motivating factor.
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Permalink Reply by Justin and Leah Conley on -
One of the factors that seems to be a great cause for motivating missions is the mindset that the pastor or other spiritual leader instills in the congregation. By this, I mean that it is usually not a single good experience or good personal relationship that gets people interested in missions, although this may be the case at times. It seems that one of the biggest obstacles is changing people's entire mindset, or view of life.
It seems that we find when someone has a good relationship with someone who is missional, they might respect them and admire them, but they usually separate them to a different category (i.e. subconsciously or consciously thinking that missionaries have a certain inherent goodness or faith that others do not, as if it were genetic). Likewise, someone who experiences an amazing mission trip thinks the same thing, that it is a wonderful experience, but not for their life. The idea is generated that missions is a good thing, but not something that someone could or perhaps should dwell on too much, especially since there is so much to do at home.
I believe, especially from having conversations with people, that the number one thing that will motivate a missions mindset in the churches and individuals is to correct their view of life. Many Christians, especially in wealthier, non-persecuted countries, view the Christian life as one of being excellent and successful for Jesus. If this is in proper view, then it is certainly true. However, this is held with the practical assumption that this is our home. People today, like the disciples, want to establish a believing nation, though this did not seem to be Jesus' plan for this time. This too comes from the root problem that this is our home. The racism, and even racial or socioeconomic pride that has permeated the "church" also comes from this claim to a citizenship and brotherhood apart from that of Heaven. Thus, if this root problem of identity, citizenship, and home remains the same, no method will cause anyone to become more missional, especially for a long period of time. It is important to note that this provides good reason for increased giving during economic downturns. "Giving by North American churchgoers was higher during the Great Depression (3.3 percent of per capita income in 1933) than it was after a half-century of unprecedented prosperity (2.5 percent in 2004)," (http://www.generousgiving.org/stats#).
The remedy is to correct the root of the problem. John Piper has written an excellent book that I would suggest for this issue called "Don't Waste Your Life". The sermon can be found online as well. The point is not to generate interest or a connection with missions, but to change their view of the purpose of the Christian life. They must catch the wartime vision, because it is the reality of the Christian life. During wartime, people give and sacrifice like crazy, trying to do whatever they can to win the war, rater than trying to build up their houses. Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:3-4, "Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier." If they understand this then they will have interest, because they will see the way Christ saw. No one would work on building a nice house, car, etc. in the middle of a battlefield, would they? Until people realize that they are in a battlefield and break the illusion that this is home, missions will be pure romance or disregarded entirely.
Anyways, this has greatly helped me get to the point a little quicker with people, and with great long lasting affect on some. One thing I have noticed; people will always revert back to their true view of life once the emotions have worn off, not necessarily that which they profess or like for the moment.
© 2012 Created by Chris Wynn.
