Tag: Church

Missions Focused Small Church: Be Strategic

On By BrianIn Ministry Ideas

Two weeks ago, we began by considering the need to get focused – and to create a missions team to do just that. Today, we want to consider the need to be strategic. Three thoughts to consider:

  • Power of One (or Two) – A small church has limited finances and people, and people have limited time. Life is busy, and the more missionaries you have, the harder it will be for the people in your church to become familiar with any of the missionaries. So consider the power of one or two. Instead of trying to support lots of missionaries, choose only one or two missionaries. Maybe focus on one area of the world. Then keep those few missionaries in front of the people all of the time. Read their reports and pray for them each week in the worship service. Do special projects for them (more on that in a few weeks). Consider a missions trip. In other words, develop the relationship. You can’t develop close bonds with lots of missionaries, but you can with just a few. So consider the power of one or two.
  • Purpose – Consider your purpose. What is your purpose in missions? For our church the purpose is evangelism, church planting, discipleship, and leadership training. All of our missionaries are involved in many or all of these purposes. There are a lot of people going on the field as support staff – accountants, etc. That might be great for a larger church that has the funds for a broader missionary focus. Or maybe support is the heartbeat of your small church. If so, that’s great. Just stay focused on your purpose.
  • Prioritize Gospel Need – Ask the question: where is the gospel absent? Many countries now have numerous churches that can continue to reach their own country for Christ. Not that continued missionary assistance might not be beneficial, but what about countries with no gospel presence? That might include unreached tribes, distant villages, or countries that are not favorable to the gospel. One of the missionaries we support is in an area with little gospel presence, and that was by design. So consider where the gospel is absent, and prioritize gospel need.

I’d love to get your thoughts and ideas – just leave a comment.

Next week, we will consider suggestions on choosing missionaries.

Missions-Focused Small Church: Get Focused

On By BrianIn Ministry Ideas

My church has been learning how to be a mission focused small church these last few years, and in the next few weeks we are going to consider some ideas that have been helpful for us on how to be mission-focused.

First, we need to get focused, and creating a missions team can be a great help. Find people in your church with a heart for missions and bring them together to help the church get focused, and indeed keep focused.

Pastors have many areas they need to focus on – sermons, Sunday School, worship, prayer meetings, counseling, outreach, missions, etc. Pastors simply can’t focus on one thing, which means that it will be very difficult for the church to be missions focused if the pastor is the only one promoting missions. Too often missions will get lost in the shuffle.

So create a missions team, and then write down your purpose. My church’s purpose looks like this:

  • Keep the church focused on missions.
  • Regularly evaluate our missions program and consider goals for the future.
  • Consider, present, and promote special missions projects.
  • Consider, invite, and prepare for missionary speakers.
  • Lead in caring for our missionaries.
  • Lead the church in praying for missions.
  • Seek to involve children and youth in missions projects, visits, care, and prayer.
  • Work together with the Elders, Leadership Team, pastor, and membership.

Your purpose may look different, but these are some key things we want to see in our church.

Once you have a team and a purpose, be sure to meet a few times each year to fulfill your purpose. Start by evaluating missions in your church. What is going well or not so well? And then plan for missions in your church. What projects do you want to do? What missionary do you want to invite? How might you care for and pray for your missionaries? How might we involve the children? And then bring your suggestions to the church leadership and/or congregation.

One more thing. Don’t just meet to talk. Have each member actively involved in fulfilling in the purpose. One person might be in charge of a specific project. Another might be in charge of missionary care. Or another might be in charge of hosting a missionary. Discuss your plan and then assign people to carry out the plan.

Next week, we will consider being strategic in our missions program.

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good (and challenging) posts for your weekend reading:

Rejoicing in Lament – Mike Wittmer

Answering “No” To One Of These Questions Will Kill Your Evangelism – Trevin Wax

How Memorization Feeds Your Imagination – Joe Carter (TGC)

What Do You Really Want Your Church To Be Known For? – Mark Altrgogge

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day celebrating your Savior with your local church!

Ministry Collection

On By BrianIn Ministry Moments

Here are some good posts on children and youth ministry:

3 Ways To Avoid The “Children’s Church” Ditch – Sean Sawyers (Christward Collective)

Who Is Really Leaving The Church and Why? – Andrew Hess (TGC)

3 Common Traits of Youth Who Don’t Leave the Church – Jon Nielson (Church Leaders)

The Only Foundation for Youth Ministry – Josh Cousineau (TGC)

Don’t Segregate the Youth – David Wright (TGC)

How Logic Can Help Save a College Student’s Faith – Dave Sterrett (TGC)

A Church Prayer

On By BrianIn Church Life, Prayers

Father,
Thank you for good news of Jesus, thank you for your grace in our lives.
May your work in our lives spur us on to share the good news with others.
May the gracious welcome of Jesus lead us to graciously welcome each other.
May freedom from bondage to sin move us to press on in growing together.
May all that you have done for us draw us to sing and live for your glory.
Amen.