UNDERSTANDING CHRISTIAN MISSION
The meaning of
understanding is to have a clear thought.
BASIC MEANING: Oxford
The above may be right basically but it will be wrong in Biblical
perspectives.
BIBLICAL MEANING: Mission
A.
MISSIONARY:
A Missionary is a person who goes out with a purpose. Mission
B.
CHRISTIAN MISSION Mission
EVANGELISM:
Evangelism is the process by which the Christian mission is carried
out. A missionary is an Evangelist.
A CHRISTIAN MISSIONARY:
A Christian missionary is a person who goes out to fulfill Christian
mission. The word missionary comes from
the Latin word “Mitto” which means, “to send”. It is equivalent to the Greek
word “Apostello”, which also means, “to send”.
Jesus Christ was the first and the chief among the New Testament
Missionaries or Apostles. God had only
one son, and He made that son a Missionary (Jn.3: 16.)
The Son of God visited this planet two thousand years ago on a mission of
redemption. He came to seek and save,
and gave His life a ransom for many.
Upon completion of His mission, He in turn said to His Apostle; “As the
father has sent me, even so I send you.”(Jn.20: 21). God is a mission God. The
Son of God is a mission son. The church
of Christ
Who was the first missionary? From the 0ld testament perspective, God was
the first missionary. From the very beginning God has been desperately
concerned for the spiritual and welfare of the world. He created the world for
a purpose, but when man altered the plan of God, He had another vision of
redemption plan to achieve it through His son Jesus.
SOME OF THE OLD TESTAMENT MISSIONARY: There are many and several
missionary in the Old Testament. These were men called by God and sent out with
a vision and goals; some were able to achieve their goals while some were
unable.
THE ABLE EXAMPLES: Noah, Abraham, Esther,
Nehemiah, etc.
THE UNABLE EXAMPLE: Saul, Joshua, and several
others.
NEW TESTAMENT PERSPECTIVE: from the New Testament
perspective, our Lord Jesus Christ may be seen as the first missionary. But John
the Baptist may also be seen as a missionary in that he accomplished what God
called him to do, that is to prepare the way for the Saviour, and he
accomplished this. In other word, John the Baptist can therefore be referred to
as the first missionary in the New Testament.
MOTIVATION FOR MISSION INVOLVEMENT
World missions have developed dramatically in resent years. In our
generation, as never before, the whole areas of the world and group of people
have become open to the gospel. More Christians have gone into many places,
learned more languages, translated more scriptures and established more
churches than in any other of history. In almost every non-Muslim,
non-communist country, Christians are joining this outreach. They are
recognizing missions as a central purpose in Christ Church.
SCOPE
OF MISSION INVOLVEMENT
Missions are not limited to activities done by a few overseas
missionaries, but it is a whole process in which all believers can and should
be actively engaged. Missions involved establishing a relationship with lost
people so that the gospel can be demonstrated and communicated in a way they
understand. Those who believe the Good News are discipled and joined together
as a community of believers-the body of Christ. This basis Biblical task is to
be carried on in all the parts of the world.
SCOPE OF MISSION
INVOLVEMENT
AS AT 1972: To add to your burden and mind there 15
million Jews, three hundred and fifteen million Mohammedans, one hundred and
seventy million Buddhists, three hundred and fifty million Confucionists and
Tavists, two hundred and fifty five millions Hindus, ninety millions Shitoists
and millions of others for whom Christ died who are mainly unreached with the
blessed gospel. Even the church conscious America has twenty seven million
youths under 21years of age who received no Christian training, and ten
thousand villages that do not have church building almost a million person in
the world died each week without Christ. Is this nothing to you?
While we recognize that evangelizing the people in one’s own country is
important, this lecture is concerned primarily with communicating the gospel
across cultures to meet the need of over 3 billion people who have no one to
tell them of Jesus Christ.
This requires specially trained personnel totally committed to Christ.
Missionaries must be selected and sent by the Lord of the harvest. Support,
prayers and encouragement must come from the church of Jesus Christ
REASONS FOR MISSION
INVOLVEMENT:
Why
missions? Recognition of man’s need for salvation, human compassion and desire to
change the world’s condition are frequent responses. While these are valid
replies, yet they tend to neglect the primary reason for missions. The
scriptures show us that mission is grounded in God’s character, Christ
commands, and the condition of the lost who have never heard the gospel.
1. God’s character. Holiness,
justice and love. God is holy and thus hates sin. He created eternal punishment
for Satan and his rebellious angels, but does not want anyone with this
condemned creatures (Pet. 3:9, Jude). God is not a man that He will lie.
Hos.11:9.
2. Christ’s command. With authority
and unmistakable clarity, Jesus involved every converted Christian in missions,
this does not mean that He commanded all to be missionaries, but He did
instruct the twelve as well as the larger group of disciples gathered in the
upper room that they should be involved in discipling all nations (Mk.16:
15-20, Acts. 1:8, Lk.22: 23).
3. Condition of the lost. In Luke
16:23-28, the rich man in Hades cried out for mercy and asked that Lazarus the
beggar be sent with a drop of water to cool his tongue, when he was told that
it was too late, he begged that someone be sent to warn his five brothers yet
in the world. Therefore, having passion for the lost and going out to reach
them implies our involvement in the work.
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Active commitment to mission is often a
thermometer of church’s spiritual temperature.
A church vitally involved in mission is
distinct from the one, which shows little concern for the unreached. Even in
the New Testament days, a sharp contrast could be seen between mission minded
churches and those which were not.
The believers at Corinth Antioch Jerusalem
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Every Christian can be involved in mission
work. It is not only when you go across cultures but also when you are at home.
World population statistics and a realization of the vast number of individuals
who have never heard of the gospel easily can discourage well-intentioned
Christians.
While we may not be able to reach all, we can
have a part in reaching some. A concern Christian may ask: How can I help? What
can I do that will really make a difference? When we let ourselves to God, He
has a variety of means ready to involve us in the world evangelization. The
means of involvement are as follows:
1.
Build prayer power: Prayer is undoubtedly the
greatest resource in mission. Jesus said, ‘Beseech the Lord of harvest to send
out workers into His harvest.” Each believer can participate in effectual
prayer.
2.
Teach mission in the church and
family: The more believers understand God’s tremendous work in worldwide
evangelization today, the more they will want to be involved. It is the
lectures that opens the eyes and even give some vision about the work.
3.
Increase financial investment: God has entrusted His resources
to the stewardship of His people. Paul’s word to the Corinthians in II Cor.9: 6
still applies: “He who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly, and he who
sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully.” Sacrificial giving of one’s
substances and wisely directed, is an essential and fruitful means of
involvement in mission.
4.
Recruit New Missionaries: Much responsibility lies with
the local church in recruiting new workers for missionary service. Pastors,
Parents, Sunday school teachers and others can be used of God to challenge,
instruct, and encourage young adults towards the field of God’s calling.
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Each hour, thousands of babies are
brought into the world and thousands of people
leave it. Millions never discover
an alternative to the purposelessness and misery
of their lives before passing into
an eternity of darkness and pain.
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Some people regard missions at best as an extension of North
America denominations and at worst as the imposition of western
culture. Others view mission as spreading political influence or as a massive
welfare programme for under developed nations. Still another group equates
missions with “civilizing” a carry over from a colonial concept, which assumed
western ways were best. Such impressions of missions are inaccurate and
unbiblical.
From a biblical perspective, mission does not originate in human
relationships, instead, missions begins with the divine initiative. God so
loved the people He created that, even in their rebellion, He also direct and
restore the lost. Not only does God Seek the unsaved, He also direct, believing
men and women to be involved in communicating the gospel.
OLD
TESTAMENT
The Old Testament introduces God’s plan of redemption. As part of His
ultimate goal
to provide salvation for all people and to communicate the good news of
this provision, God revealed Himself to selected men and a separated nation in
a variety of ways.
The human race has degenerated progressively since Adam disobeyed God.
History records a world sinking ever deeper into idolatry, sensuality and
depravity. Three times in the first chapter of Romans, Paul used the word “ God
gave them up” to remind the people that God had relinquished mankind to the
consequences of their rebellious choices. Gen.3:1-8.
The first eleven chapters of
Genesis reveal the origin of sin and the fact that God must Judge it.
PROVISION
OF SALVATION. GEN. 3:15 .
Throughout the Old Testament, God was preparing a people to witness to
the nations
concerning His person and provisions, particularly the provision of
redemption. Israel
God made all encompassing promise, “….. and in you shall all the families
of the
earth be blessed”. Gen. 12:1-3.
New testament: Jesus statement in
Jn. 20-21, “As the Father hath sent me, so send I you.” Summarizes mission in
the new testament. The gospels record Jesus obedience in fulfilling the mission
on which His Father sent Him.
The Acts and the Epistles record the church’s response to Christ’s great
commission, especially as reflected in the life and ministry of the Apostle
Paul.
THE PLAN OF
Through the years, churches have developed
variety of mission strategies. It is therefore important that we have a clear
understanding of God’s plan for mission as presented in the Bible and the role
He has for us in the work He is accomplishing today.
A mission is more important than a good thing done by well-intentioned
people for the poor and the helpless. Biblical missions focuses on meeting
man’s spiritual need and in the context of the church, leading him to the place
where he can be used of God to meet the need of others. Several aspects of
mission often run concurrently while evangelism is the initial concern in a new
area, this should not stop when disciplining begins. Disciplining, in turn
continues once a church is established.
1.
EVANGELISM:
Presence evangelism demonstrating Christianity through a life witness,
proclamation evangelism verbally communicating the terms of the gospel, and
persuasion evangelism (Actively seeking a positive response) are all phases of
effective evangelism.
The one evangelizing must be
aware of the progression in a person’s understanding of the gospel. The process
of making a decision for Christ begins with an awareness of a supreme being and
culminates with the new believer evangelizing and disciplining others.
2.
DISCIPLING:
While proclamation of the gospel is essential to the missionary task, it
is also important to build up believers and train them to have a spiritual
impact on their neighbour. The command
of Christ in Matthew 28 was basically to disciple. From the book of Acts and
the Epistles: we learn that the first churches obeyed this command. We may
preach the gospel, with converts, establish churches, build buildings instruct
and baptize believers; but still fail to disciple.
3.
ESTABLISHING CHURCHES: As a missionary wins people to
Christ and disciples them, he leads them into the formation of a group of
believers; who share a common relationship with Christ. Because he becomes part
of a church family whose members normally are nearby and of the same culture
and language.
RESULT
OF MISSIONS
Missionaries evangelize across cultural barriers and establish churches
made up of converts from the culture involved. What kind of Church should be
established?. What should be the continuing role and relationship of the
mission and missionaries to that church? Answers to these questions will
largely determine how we support missions, how we pray for missions, and how
and why we continue to send missionaries from our churches.
CHARACTERISTICS
OF MISSION’S ACTIVITY
Four basic dynamics that determine all mission strategy are especially
significant. They emphasize that missions is a global enterprises and recognize
that man is initially more conscious of his physical than of his spiritual
needs. From both a biblical and cotemporary perspective, missions is:
1.
Cross-Cultural
A
mission implies a communication of the gospel to those of another culture and
language. Although all communication of spiritual truth may be thought of as
cross-cultural, it is helpful to reserve the term missions primarily for
evangelism in cross-cultural situations involving language barriers. This basic
strategy involves
contextualizing the gospel and forming
churches which fit the cultural setting of converts.
2.
Co-operative
Missions requires people with a variety of skills and professions to
contribute
individually
and collectively to the spiritual welfare of the people among whom they
work.
The missionary trust is a team operation where each member makes an
important
contribution, whether in evangelism education, medicine or other
activities.
3.
International
Missions increasingly involves believers in many countries around the
world. Although almost two-thirds of all missionaries come from North America , the number being sent by churches in
African, Asia , and South
America is steadily growing.
4.
Holistic (Whole)
Missions are concerned with
meeting the needs of the whole man. The mission
Hospital/ clinic and mission
school have long been identified with missionary
activities. For over a
century, medical work has brought healing to the body,
demonstrated Christian
compassion, enhance the prestige of the church and led to
conversions.
A corresponding impact has
been made through educational work.
ACTS
1;8
1. EO: People of same language
People of same
culture
People of same
faith
But not born again JERUSALEMU
2. E1: People of same language
People of same
culture
People of
different faith
But not born
again
JUDEA
3. E2: People of same language
People of
different culture
People of
different faith
But not born
again SAMARIA
4. E3. People of different language
People of
different culture
People of
different faith
But not born
again UTTERMOST
PART
OF THE EARTH
THE MISSIONARY SENDING CHURCH
In the first century, believers from Jerusalem Antioch Asia minor and Europe . In the twentieth century, the pattern continues.
Third world churches established by missionaries from western countries are
sending people across cultural and geographical barriers and giving them
support to reach other groups, yet, applying Christ’s teaching in Luke 12:48
that ‘to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more’ lays a
heavy responsibility on churches in countries where resources for training and
supporting personnel are abundant, and that is why the church must be involved
in missions to fulfill its own purpose. Serious growing mission involvement is
both a cause and effect of vibrant Spiritual life in a congregation.
Responsibilities of Leaders:
Leaders have some responsibilities, which
they must fulfill for the effective work of
missions. Without leadership responsibilities the church may not know
what to do.
1.
They must Establish Policy
While some churches feel that a written
missions policy is restrictive or unnecessary and other have given it little or
no thought, the Holy Spirit can and does guide in both the formation and
implementation of appropriate guidelines. Thinking through a mission’s policy
testifies to church’s serious commitment to fulfill its responsibilities in
worldwide evangelization.
2.
They must set Example
Although the Pastor should not be the only
voice for mission in the church, his concern should be evident in practical,
effective ways. By modeling a personal missionary concern and monitoring the
whole missions programme of his church. He is in a position to give strong
leadership in encouraging congregational interest and involvement.
3.
They must plan
Some churches look to the elders or Deacons
for guidance in their missions’ emphasis. Many churches, however, realize the
benefits of establishing a missions committee to give concentrated attention to
this important priority. The purpose of the missions committee is not to relieve
the Pastor, the official boards, or the congregation of their missionary
responsibility, but rather to plan total church involvement and given the
attention needed for the various mission’s functions to be effective. The
leader of the fold should do this.
Responsibilities
of the Church
Most Christians have only vague idea
concerning the goal of mission. Their understanding of what is involved in
communicating the gospel and establishing churches cross-culturally is limited.
Local churches are responsible both for informing their people regarding
mission and developing missionary interest.
1. Educate
in missions: If congregations are to increase participation in missions, they need
continuous, accurate and effective teaching about mission. This is especially
true today when the world scene and mission strategy are changing so rapidly.
The more people know about what needs to be done and how it can be
accomplished, the more they are likely to involve themselves in it.
2. Identify
and prepare new missionaries: Give young person information concerning mission opportunities and
share how his involvement could be helpful. Challenge persons who evidenced
spiritual gifts, maturity and effective experience in ministry since these are
possible indications of the Lord’s intention for them to enter vocational
Christian service. Matt.28: 20
3. Disciple: Since Christ’s command was ‘make disciples of all nations,’ those
following the command must be disciples themselves; His disciples must be
skilled at making more disciples. Mt.28: 19.
4. Pray: Since the first missionary
church in Antioch 5:19 .
5. Support
financially: When a church is fulfilling its other mission responsibilities,
financial support is not a burden. In Matt. 6:20,21 Jesus emphasized
the
importance of giving our money for eternal
values when He said, “Lay up for
yourselves treasures in heaven…………for where your treasure is, there will
your heart be also.’ People with a heart for
mission will invest joyfully. I pet.1:4.
6. Care for missionaries on
Furlough: Furlough is not a vocation for missionaries,
although substantial time should be reserved for rest and relaxation.
This is a time for renewal of family, church,
and personal relationship; sharing what God had been doing on the field;
gaining perspective on the work; updating knowledge and skills; and refreshing
the spirit for future services.
The practical hospitality and assistance provided by supporting churches
can greatly
influence the benefit of the furlough period and the spirit with which
the missionaries returns to the field. A
church can assist in a variety of ways.
_ Guide the missionary and his family in the
adjustment to new and unfamiliar developments that have occurred during his
absence.
_ Arrange housing and transportation as
required.
_
Provide Pastoral care through counseling, encouraging and fellowshipping
with the missionary and members of his
family.
_ Have the Pastors wife give special help as
a friend and confidant to the married or a single woman missionary.
_ Encourage, arrange and help
finance continuing education.
_
Prepare for return of missionaries to the field by providing as much
as possible for financial and other
needs.
Because of the varied responsibilities of
mission work, a missionary should evidence Christian characteristics in all
areas of life. And surely he must have been born again before he can be called
to be a missionary.
1. Spiritual while a missionary is
not a flawless saint, he does need to be a person of evident and unquestioned spiritual
maturity. He needs to know God and how to use God’s word to meet his own needs.
2. Social right attitudes and good
interpersonal relationships are important for the missionary. He must have the
kind of self acceptance and realization of God’s love that will give his
confidence in relating to peers, those in authority over him, and the people
among whom he ministers. There is no place for egotism, divisiveness, bitterness,
complaining, prejudice or a superior attitude.
3. Academic professional training
and proficiency in medicine, education and other support ministries are the
same as those required. In addition, most boards require at least one year of
formal bible training for those who have not attended a bible college or
seminary.
4. Physical and psychological
different demanding circumstances created by living in another country, require
a high level of physical stamina. Equally important are those personal qualities
essential for triumph in trying circumstances.
A missionary’s relationships to churches, to other missionaries and
within his family are vital to his personal development and to the effectiveness
of his ministry.
1. To
Churches: Missions focuses on the expansion of the church worldwide. In daily
Relationships, though, the missionaries are normally concerned with two
churches, the one that sends him and the one where he ministers.
2. To
other missionaries: At home one can usually choose friends and associates in
Christian work or at least find a variety of
compatible Christian who share a
common
culture and tongue. While serving in another culture, however, a missionary
usually has a limited circle of individuals from his own culture. His social
and working contacts are narrow, especially in the years before he learns the
language and becomes deeply involved with the people of the area.
3. With
the Family: In the stimulating and unpredictable experience of living together in
another culture, family relationship can thrive or disimmigrate.
How well the parents, the father in
particular responds with constant trust
and
dependence on the Lord usually makes the difference.
The spiritual pace and priorities he sets
will influence relationships within the family and the relations of the family to the community. Although not all
family members can participate to the same extent in planning, it is important
that each understands the work and feels a part of the family ministry on the field. A sense
of achievement and involvement often helps overcome tensions and temptations.
CHANGES AND CHALLENGES IN CONTEMPORARY MISSIONS
As the missionary enterprise plunges through waves of opposition, the
course remains the same but periodic changes of direction are required. The
same Holy Spirit who piloted the
early church through un-chartered seas is guiding church and mission
leaders today into new resources, new perspective and new approaches.
a. New
sources of personal: Our world changes faster and more profoundly with every passing decade.
At the same time, the need, opportunity and means for evangelizing the world are increasing.
b. Third
world missions: Third world refers to those nations not aligned with the Communist block
headed by Russia or the capitalist block headed by the United States. Following
world war II, most churches established by western missionaries in Africa , Asia and Latin America became self-governing and to a large extent
self supporting. For many independence Churches had increased concern to become
missionary sending churches.
The majority of third world missionaries come
from churches and mission boards in India Philippines Brazil Nigeria
c. Short Term
Service. The value of short-term service
far outweighs its
limitations. Interest
continues to grow, in 1965, 580 short terms were working with Evangelical
missions. By 1980 the number increased to 16,608. Now about 32 percent of all
North American personnel in missions are short terms with a projection that the
number will continue to increase. This is hopeful news since a quarter of these
become carrier missionaries.
d. Cross Cultural
Communication Issues: As new nations have emerged in
the last twenty-five years (till 1999) the whole non-western world has come
alive with ethnic prides and a greater sense of national identity. In Asia and
Africa, a resurgence of ancient religions such as Shitoism and Animism, tends
to reinforce the independence of new nations. Many voices are calling the Bible
a white man’s book and Christianity a western religion. They are rejecting its
message as culturally irrelevant and potentially offensive to their people.
e. Contextualization:
Contextualization reflects a deep concern of mission personnel to
communicate effectively so that they can disciple all nations as commanded in
Matt. 28:20.
The Greek word for nations in this verse is,
‘foreigners’ or in today’s terminology, ‘ethnic group’. Contextualization
refers to the understanding, expression and application of Biblical truth in a
given culture. It seeks to communicate truth in language and forms, which a hearer
in another culture can appreciate.
f. Syncretism: The uniqueness of Christianity is
increasingly under attack.
Many view Christianity as a religion with
human origin, which is competing
with the other great religions of the world.
If all religions have some good in
them, as some say, why should Christianity be considered
better than others? Why try to change another man’s religion, especially when
it has ethnic and national roots?
This approach or putting together
various beliefs is called syncretism.
There has always been a tendency to
compromise the uniqueness of God with
the religion of men. God constantly warned
His people against merging with the Canaanites religion. Syncretism is based on
the promise that God and His word are good but not unique and Christian truth
can blend with human religious thought
and ceremony.
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