If you truly want to be strategic in missions, you need to be sure you are using the resources that God has entrusted to you to get involved in ministries that are necessary in order to plant churches among people who have never heard the Gospel.
But what do you think of when you hear “get involved”?
If you’re like most people, you figure you’ll set a level of involvement – say, praying once a week, or giving so much a month – and that’s that.
But you’re not like most people. You’re interested enough in strategic missions to read this. I think you’re up to a challenge, so here goes …
I believe God has called me to carry out the Great Commission. I believe there is nothing He can ask me to do that is too great or too much. Therefore, I am willing to give my all and my everything, not simply for my ministry, but in order that the churches can be planted among unreached peoples.
I cannot do that as part of every ministry, but I can choose a strategic organization to be a part of and give it my all.
Does God expect any less of you and your church?
The calling on you and your church is the same as the calling on missionaries. The Great Commissions is a commission for all of us. We all must have the same commitment in our distinct roles.
You have to be willing to say, “What do we need to do in order to make this ministry successful?” You have to be willing to go the extra mile, and beyond, just like missionaries do.
That’s scary.
You need to be willing to pray as long and as hard as is necessary, as often as necessary, whenever it is necessary. And you need to be concerned enough about God’s commission that you want to help others pray.
You need to be willing to give sacrificially. Does your missionary have the resources they need to minister effectively? If they don’t, you need to be willing to give and encourage others to give so they do.
You need to be creative in finding ways to encourage your missionary. What can you do to make your missionary feel appreciated? What can you do to make it easier for your missionary to keep fighting the good fight?
That’s huge, and you can’t do this for every missionary. You should first narrow it down to strategic ministries – missionaries whose work is necessary in order to plant churches among people who have never heard the Gospel.
Then there are some other factors to consider:
The needs in the big picture: It’s more likely that missionaries in logistical roles have few if any people who are this involved in their ministries.
Your connections: You and your church have a responsibility first to missionaries who have come out of your church, and then to others with whom you or your church have long-term relationships.
What you hear: God is willing to help us with this kind of decision. We usually simply do not ask, and when we do, we often do not listen to His answer. Try it. The hard part isn’t getting direction from God; the hard part is following it.
So now you know how to be strategic in missions. And now you’re responsible before God to do something with that knowledge.
Miss one of the earlier parts? Go back and take a look:
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