Tim Matthews, our Mobilisation Director, carried out a survey with local church leaders to find out what has helped them mobilise people for mission.
It’s been said that “the sign of a great church is not its seating capacity but its sending capacity” (Mike Stachura, Operation Mobilisation). Do you agree? For me, this quote echoes the Abrahamic covenant, that God has blessed us so that we might be a blessing to others throughout the earth. As church leaders and members, what are our aspirations for the church?
An ongoing work
Mobilising workers for cross-cultural mission is not a one-off exercise. It is more likely to happen when a church and its members share a vision and interest in serving others both locally and globally. The mission of God is to see people from every language and nation redeemed for his glory. The calling of the church is to partner with God in his mission. We see this in many of the ways we ‘do church’ and ‘shepherd the flock’ but our primary call, to be his witnesses and make disciples to the ends of the earth, must not be forgotten. That means our churches have a role to play both locally and globally.
Given that 40% of the world’s population are still ‘unreached’ and only 3% of missionaries work among unreached peoples, we are still ‘facing a task unfinished that should drive us to our knees’.
So, we “Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” Matt 9:38. But what else can we do?
Seven areas to help your church mobilise people for mission:
Our survey of church leaders whose churches are actively involved in global mission revealed seven things to help our churches move forward.
1. Clarify your understanding of mission.
2. Have a church leadership committed to developing mission.
3. Review and assess where the church is and has been, regarding mission. 4. Formulate a vision, strategy and structure for the whole church.
5. Craft a mission policy to give direction and consistency.
6. Find partnerships that fit with your strategic aims.
7. Involve the whole church as it grows into mission.
Resource your church
There are many resources to help give focus and encourage a greater engagement with mission. Here are some suggestions to help raise the profile of missions:
• Invite a mission speaker
• Send a short term team to support an existing ministry
• Use small group Bible studies or courses that explore God’s heart for the nations
• Find fuel for prayer from those serving in mission situations
• Help your young people to engage in missions in their groups and devotions
• Encourage your church or small group to read a gripping and humbling missionary biography
You can also visit here for more resources and ideas to help you and your church.
Maybe you would like to join the AIM Advocates programme, where you can be more fully equipped to share the cause and needs of mission among Africa’s unreached peoples in your local church. If you’re a church leader, why not sign up to receive an occasional email which addresses a subject that bridges the world of missions with the contemporary church world. Who knows what fires may start from even a small spark of interest?
