“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”
- Jesus Christ (as recorded in Matthew 28:19-20)
Mission Renewal Network
Connecting the Local Church
to God’s Global Mission
The mission we have been given by our Lord is indeed extraordinary. It is extraordinary in its breadth of call that gives glorious purpose and definition to each of our lives as Christians. It is equally extraordinary in the clarity of its content, the scope of its vision, and the promise of supernatural power for its undertaking.
It is our prayer that as your church actively participates in God’s global cause, He will richly magnify your ministry and give you great joy.
The Mission Renewal Network is a visionary ministry that seeks to mobilize the local church in mission and provide a strong sending base for faith missionaries from mainline denominations of the reformed, congregational, Christian, and evangelical heritage. It represents an innovative, ecumenical approach to mission that is being recognized as a model for the future.
It was begun out of the convictions that:
• The Command of Jesus Christ to go into all the world and make disciples of every nation is still the primary purpose of every Christian and the Church.
• The local church is where missions originates and where missions vision and policy is centered. Effective missions must have direct involvement and accountability with the local congregation.
Of additional concern is that an estimated 80-90% of churches in North America have no missions committee and a minimal role in Christ’s Great Commission. A high number of these are in the mainline denominations.
The Mission Renewal Network responds to these needs through the Members in Mission program networked through a National Missions Coordinator who can offer assistance with your local church’s specific questions and needs. The Mission Herald magazine is another resource that will republish in the near future.
The Mission Renewal Network works by connecting those called to full-time missionary service with potential supporting churches. It enables churches to find and develop direct, personal relationships with missionaries and to make their own choices in designating financial support.
The Members in Mission listing includes a short profile of the ministries of over 75 missionary families, domestic projects sponsored by heritage churches, and national missionaries overseas who are affiliated with our partner churches. The local church decides among these missionaries and projects who can best fulfill their own mission priorities and vision, and then develops a supporting relationship with them directly through whatever mission agency supervises the work. Ideally, the church provides support with prayer, and encouragement through correspondence and other means as well as finances.
Churches who have developed these relationships have discovered that direct, personal participation in mission is the most effective way to open the eyes of a congregation to a missions vision. This close contact is renewing the desire of lay people to fulfill the call of the Lord Jesus Christ to make disciples of every people group.
This also provides a strong incentive for sending churches to recruit and train a new generation of mission leadership. Young people who feel called to areas of ministry outside the scope of the UCC Common Global Ministries Board activity are encouraged in the pursuit of the call of God on their lives.
It is the fervent hope and prayer that a new heart for missions and evangelism among our lay people will contribute to the spiritual renewal of mainline denominations in our reformed, congregational, Christian, and evangelical traditions.
In 1989, Biblical Witness Fellowship discovered a number of missionaries and projects related to the United Church of Christ and its historic traditions who were not serving under the umbrella of the UCC’s World Board. Information about these servants of God was collected and published in a notebook as “UCC Members in Mission.” The listing now also includes missionaries associated with churches who are members of Evangelical Association of Reformed and Congregational Christian Churches. Like this Association, today’s Members in Mission are from churches with roots in reformed, congregational, Christian, and evangelical traditions. Denominational affiliation is incidental.
The Mission Renewal Network reflects our age of growing cooperation between Christians of different denominations and mission boards of varying specializations. We find that God has called many women and men from our traditions to serve under a diversity of sending agencies. These folk are for various reasons not supported by a denominational mission board.
Many Members in Mission serve under the great, ecumenical, evangelical, inter-denominational missions boards such as Wycliffe, Campus Crusade for Christ, or YWAM that have assumed the dominant leadership role in the North American mission movement since WWII. Some are sent by their local churches to missions supported by small coalitions of our heritage churches.
All are doing the missions work of the historic church mission boards of proclaiming the Gospel and demonstrating God’s love to mankind.
It is not our intent to function in any manner as a mission board or sending agency, rather simply to put you, the church, in relationship with your sisters and brothers who are pursuing mission throughout the world. What we have done is to verify through questionnaires, references, and interviews that each missionary we recommend to you has the following qualifications:
1. A strong personal relationship with Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives, and a life that reflects that faith commitment.
2. A call and ability to make disciples of Jesus Christ wherever and in whatever capacity they are serving.
3. A general agreement with the Dubuque or Dupage Declarations of Faith.
4. A reliable board, agency, or other means of sustaining support and accountability.
We rejoice triumphantly in the discovery that the loudly lamented decline in mainline missions over the last two decades may be overstated! Praise God that there are dozens and perhaps hundreds of missionaries we just haven’t known about!!!
Many churches are perplexed when it comes to looking for ways to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. They know it needs to be done, but how to start? What is the need? Where do you find a missionary? How do we educate, excite, and involve the layman in the pew? What are the mechanics? Hazards? Strategies?
The vision of Mission Renewal Network is to get churches in our tradition energized and equipped for missions and evangelism through a conscious and cooperative effort of sharing ideas, experiences, and excitement among ourselves and with others.
The National Missions Coordinator regularly shares her expertise, gives encouragement and provides general information about the many aspects of missions to help churches discover their unique role in building God’s kingdom around the world. She can offer practical suggestions about programming: how to organize a missions committee, write a missions policy, care for missionaries, run a missions conference; where to find books, resources, speakers, short term missions trips, Sunday School and Bible study materials; and ways to get the average person in the pew excited about God’s global cause.
Many resources and ideas that are useful for the local church that wants to connect to God’s Global cause are included in this booklet.
This excellent magazine is published to promote the missions work of the Mission Renewal Network and other Congregational descendants of the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. It includes theological reflections, stories of God’s mighty acts in mission in the United States and around the world, and a challenge to continue our great heritage to carry the Gospel message of Jesus Christ to every man, woman, and child of every nation, tongue, and tribe. Primarily a labor of love and a volunteer effort, the magazine’s production, printing, and mailing costs are funded through donations and multiple copy subscription rates for churches.
Missionaries who desire to be part of the network should apply to the National Missions Coordinator. They will be put forward for consideration by local churches after an evaluation for authenticity and adequacy of call, training, experience, commitment, supervision, and support.
Churches who which to get a listing of the Members in Mission, can order it through:
P.O. Box 102
Candia, NH 03034
Tel: 1-800-494-9172
E-Mail: worldetc@AOL.com
National Missions Coordinator, Elizabeth Claver
Recommended Books,
Videos & Other Resources
The following books and resources are only a taste of the available information on missions. Mission Renewal Network highly recommends these to pastors and missions committees for inspiration and vision. They cover many topics, including the Biblical basis of missions, missions history, current strategy and trends, and practical ways the local congregation can get involved in God’s global cause. Contact the National Missions Coordinator for other titles or for ideas in specific areas.
Organizations
ACMC (Advancing Churches in Missions Commitment) 4201 North Peachtree Rd., Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30341-1207 (770)455-8808 Web: www.acmc.org A national, trans-denominational network of churches helping churches in missions. ACMC’s catalog has excellent resources geared to the local church. ACMC also holds many regional conferences and events throughout year and nation that feature top-notch speakers and workshops covering a wide variety of topics.
U.S. CENTER FOR WORLD MISSION, 1605 Elizabeth St., Pasadena, CA 91104 Web: www.missionsfrontiers.org Founded by Ralph Winter and at the forefront of current missiological strategy and influence, including the Adopt-A-People Group movement. The Center’s missions education course, “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement” is taught in 3000 locations worldwide. A more advanced World Christian Foundations study program offers the essentials of a seminary education with a globalized perspective. Its William Carey Library publishes a resource catalog listing hundreds of titles (at discount prices).
Urbana STUDENT MISSIONS CONVENTION For info, contact InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, P.O. Box 7895, Madison, WI 53707-7895 Tel: 608-274-9001 Web: www.urbana.org Since 1945 this triennial gathering has been one of the most effective conferences for challenging tens of thousands of Christian college students and others with the need to be active in world evangelization. The most recent Urbana Conference was held December 26-31, 2000. It is sponsored by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at the University of Illinois at Urbana.
CALEB PROJECT, 10 W. Dry Creek Circle, Littleton, CO 80120 Phone: 303-730-4170 Web: http://www.calebproject.org This group is challenging the church to complete the task of the Great Commission by taking the gospel to the least evangelized people groups in the world. They provide tools and resources to connect individuals, churches, and other ministries to these unreached peoples, most of whom live in what is termed the 10/40 Window. This region lies between the 10th and 40th degrees latitude and stretches from North Africa to Asia, home to most Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist populations and the poorest of the poor. Their children’s curriculums focusing on Muslim peoples are good.
Building Perspective
OPERATION WORLD, 21st Century Edition, by Patrick Johnstone and Jason Mandryk, 2001, Paternoster Publishing Waynesboro, GA with cooperation from WEC International and William Carey Library, (798 pp.) A daily prayer calendar and indispensable guide to every country in the world. Includes background facts about population, people, economics, politics, religions, churches, and prayer burdens for the church and country.
CATCH THE VISION 2000, by Bill & Amy Stearns, 1991, Bethany House Publishers, Minneapolis, MN (206 pp.) A captivating and exciting glimpse into how God is at work in the headline events of our day to fulfill His Great Commission. It provides a good overview of current trends and strategies as well as many practical ways individuals and churches can be involved.
A MIND FOR MISSIONS: , by Paul Borthwick, 1987, NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO (167 pp.) Subtitled, “10 Ways to Build Your World Vision,” this book outlines the theory and practical how-to of changing a congregation’s focus on themselves to an awareness of the needs of others.
Let the Nations Be Glad: The Supremacy of God in Missions, by John Piper, Baker Books, Grand Rapids, MI, 240 pp., 1993 Challenges churches and individuals to have a God-centered vision for world evangelization as it examines the role of worship in missions as fuel and goal, the beginning and the end through biblical studies and contemporary events.
The Church is Bigger Than You Think: Structures and Strategies for the Church of the 21st Century, by Patrick Johnstone, Christian Focus Publications/WEC, Great Britain, 314 pp., 1998. Lessons from the history of missions. Johnstone points out how missions has been marginalized, and calls for denominations, churches, agencies, and seminaries to return to Jesus’ ministry model for finishing the Great Commission.
Run With the Vision, by Bob Sjogren and Bill and Amy Stearns, Bethany House, 288 pp., 1995. This book outlines the remarkable breakthroughs taking place in our world, identifies the doors opening to the Gospel, and shows how churches can become active, mobilizing, missionary-sending congregations without abandoning local concerns.
ETERNITY IN THEIR HEARTS, by Don Richardson, Revised 1984, Regal Books, GL Publications, Ventura, CA (223 pp.) Wondering about the relationship of Christianity to other cultures and religions? This book has 26 incredible-but-true examples of how the world has been prepared for the Gospel message, and then lays out the details from Genesis to Revelation of how God’s plan of redemption has been the same since the beginning.
PERSPECTIVES ON THE WORLD CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT, A Reader, Third Edition, edited by Ralph D. Winter and Steven C. Hawthorne, 1999, William Carey Library, Pasadena, CA (782 pp.) This is a multi-faceted collection of articles by over 70 authors which focus on the Biblical, historical, cultural, and strategic dimensions of the task of world evangelization.
FROM JERUSALEM TO IRIAN JAYA, by Ruth A. Tucker, 1983, Acadamie Books, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI (511 pp.) Interesting reading and impressively complete, this biographical history of Christian missions covers the lives (successes and failures) of every major missionary from the Apostle Paul and the 1st Century church to Don Richardson and the modern missionary movement going to the utter most parts of the earth.
PEACE CHILD, by Don Richardson, 1976, Regal Books, Ventura, CA (288 pp.) A gripping account of how the true peace of Christ captured the hearts of the Sawi, a stone age, cannibalistic headhunter tribe in Irian Jaya.
Guardians of the Great Commission: The Story of Women in Modern Missions, by Ruth A. Tucker, 1988, Zondervan, Grand Rapids, MI. (278 pp.) Short biographies, from Dorothy Carey to Mother Teresa, trace the lives of women who made a significant impact in missions.
Practical Help
How Missions Minded is Your Church? By ACMC Measure your church’s missions involvement with the yardsticks in ten key areas in this 3-page report card.
Mission Mobilizers Handbook: Key Resources, Networks, Ministries and Articles for Maximizing Your Church/Fellowship’s Impact on the nations of the 10/40 Window and Beyond. Published by William Carey Library, 1996, Pasadena, CA (134 pp.) A great collection of statistics, resources, and articles to help the local church energize and equip for missions.
CULTIVATING A MISSIONS-ACTIVE CHURCH, by ACMC, Atlanta, GA , 112 pp., 1988. What does a missions-active church look like, and how can it become that way? Drawing from real-life church examples, this how-to workbook is full of practical ideas and methods for developing and improving a church’s missions program. Includes chapters on missions conference, candidate preparation, missions committee, financial support of missions, and developing people with a vision for missions.
MISSIONS POLICY HANDBOOK, ACMC, Atlanta, GA, Written guidelines help a missions committee keep their outreach target in sight, train new members, and make decisions based on consistent criteria. This workbook makes the job of creating one much easier by outlining the possibilities in over 60 issues and topics which could be part of a church’s missions policy.
Taking Our Cities for God: How to Break Spiritual Strongholds, by John Dawson, Creation House, Altamonte Springs, FL, 219 pp., 1989 A handbook that no only provides the teaching on praying strategically for your city, but offers inspiring examples of God’s actions, and practical suggestions for understanding and changing a region’s spiritual dynamics.
Missions in the 21st Century: Getting your Church into the Game, by Tom Telford with Lois Shaw, Harold Shaw Publishers, Wheaton, IL, 171 pp., 1998. Missions is best caught, not taught. But that doesn’t mean you can’t learn how. Lots of insight and ideas based on years of experience helping churches mobilize for missions. Covers all the bases for church leaders, missions committees, and missionaries.
Magnify Your Vision for the Small Church, by John Rowell, Northside Community Church, Atlanta, GA, 390 pp., 1998. Inspiration and the practicalities for the small church who wants to make a difference in the world. This book recounts how Northside Community Church became their own sending agency with the goal of bringing the Gospel to the Muslims of Bosnia. Then, outlines the model for other churches to follow.
SERVING AS SENDERS, by Neal Pirolo, 1991, Emmaus Road International, San Diego, CA (207 pp.) A guide for those who are called to stay home. This book outlines the importance of the homebase part of the cross-cultural team and offers 6 ways to care for your missionaries while they are preparing to go, while they are on the field, and when they return home.
“STEPPING OUT: A Guide to Short-Term Missions” by Short Term Missions Advocates, Inc., 1987, SMS Publications, Evanston, IL (144 pages) Almost everything you need to know about short-term missions trips, this magazine-type resource guide provides tips on getting the most out of the experience from deciding where to go and preparing to get there to sharing it with others when you return home. Includes information on over 100 service, training, and resource opportunities.
Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God, by Henry Blackaby and Claude King, LifeWay Press, Nashville, TN, available as 224 page workbook or hardcover text, 1990. A popular Bible study that has sold over two million copies and impacted millions of lives.
Videos
In an increasingly high-tech world, book learning is not enough. The younger generations have grown up logging hours in front of the television. And studies on the boomers and busters show that for them “seeing” helps motivation. So when it comes to missions education, short of an actual trip around the world, it makes sense to show something by video.
Here are some current curriculums and some selected short pieces that can be used to teach the needs of the world, God’s plan to impact every ethnic group on earth, and how as Christians we fit in. They are geared for adults. Some adaptation would be needed for elementary-aged children. Choosing the right one depends on your goals for the course.
unveiled: god’s heart for his people - 8 segments of 30 minutes each. Excellent Bible study from Genesis to Revelation with practice ways of getting involved. Ideal for adult Sunday School and home study groups, the seminar reveals the Bible as one book and unveils God’s heart to redeem people from every tongue, tribe, and nation. Accompanying teacher’s guide and participant workbook. Based on book Unveiled at Last, by Bob Sjogren, and an update from Destination 2000. $100. Produced by UnveilinGLORY, 4663 Crown Hill Rd., Mechanicsville, VA 23111 (888) 661-9920 http://www.jealousgod.org
Vision for the Nations – A mini version of the U.S. Center for World Mission mega-course Perspectives on the World Christian Movement. Comes with 13 video lessons, Participant’s Reader with additional readings, Leader’s Guide with reproducible handouts (for those not using Participant’s Reader), and Mission Mobilizer’s Handbook. Covers Biblical, Historical, Cultural, and Strategic aspects of missions taught by some of America’s foremost experts: Ralph Winter, Don Richardson, Greg Livingstone, Harry Larson, Larry Walker. Produced by U.S. Center for World Mission. Order from William Carey Library, P.O. Box 40129 Pasadena, CA 91104 Tel: 1-800-MISSION $99.00 Reader can be purchased separately: $7.75 as can Leader’s Guide: $7.75
World View Video Library - This is an entry-level course for the TV generation. Curriculum combines 6 excellent missions films in video format. Very flexible. A mobilization manual maps out lessons for 7 long lessons, 13 short sessions, for large and small sized groups, and movie night gatherings. Includes everything the leader needs: introduction, discussion questions, Bible references, games and demonstrations. Movies are: The Wait of the World, Guess Who’s Coming to America, Bamboo in Winter, Beyond the Next Mountain, Ee-Taow, and Ee-Taow: The Next Chapter Produced by Frontier Media and available from William Carey Library, P.O. Box 40129, Pasadena, CA 91104 Tel: 1-800-MISSION $158.35
Do-It-Yourself Studies
These selected short videos are a sample of many excellent ones available from mission agencies. Use them to educate your missions committee, Bible class, Short Term Missions Team, etc. on particular topics, areas of the world, or types of ministry. Again, what you show depends on the purposes you have for the class.
Come By Here - This is the powerful story of Wycliffe translator Marilyn Laszlo and her work with the Sepic Iwam peoples of Papua New Guinea. Explains how translators learn the language, convince people they need to learn how to read, and how God has prepared them to accept Jesus and the gospel. 25 minutes. This and other Wycliffe videos depicting other translation work are available from Wycliffe Headquarters, P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, FL 32862-8200 1-800-992-5433 $15
The Final Frontiers – If you are interested in strategy, this is a concise overview of unreached people concepts, the modern mission movement, accomplishments of the last 200 years, and the relatively small amount of work that still needs to be done. 19 minutes. Order from William Carey Library, P.O. Box 40129 Pasadena, CA 91104 Tel: 1-800-MISSION $15
Proclamedia Series – 8 videos to help you visualize prayer needs of Islam, Hinduism, and peoples of Cambodia, Morocco, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. 9 to 18 minutes in length. Order from William Carey Library, P.O. Box 40129 Pasadena, CA 91104 Tel: 1-800-MISSION each $9.95 sold separately
ACMC Videos – ACMC (Advancing Churches in Missions Commitment) has an assortment of videos on topics that help missions committees become more effective. The seminars are taped at regional and national ACMC conferences. For a list and prices, contact: ACMC, 4201 North Peachtree Rd., Suite 300, Atlanta, GA 30341-1207 (770)455-8808 Web: www.acmc.org
Subscriptions
“GLOBAL PRAYER DIGEST,” by U.S, Center for World Mission-Frontier Fellowship, 1605 E. Elizabeth St., Pasadena, CA 91104 A monthly publication and daily devotional guide for praying for unreached people groups. Includes interesting stories of people and people groups. $9 a year
“MISSION FRONTIERS”, by U.S. Center for World Mission, 1605 E. Elizabeth St., Pasadena, CA 91104 A bi-monthly publication with information about what God is doing through the church around the world, current missions trends and advances, books, and resources. Subscription by donation.
“Missions Frontiers” on the web: send email to: hub@xc.org and say subscribe brigada in the message block. On a second line of that message say subscribe brigada-pubs-missionfrontiers
For more resources, contact ACMC or the U.S. Center for World Mission - ask for a catalog or browse on-line. www.ACMC.org www.uscwm.org
10 Principles for Building
Your Missions Outreach
Prayer –
Proclaiming the gospel to the ends of the earth (Missions) is God’s purpose for the local church – He needs to be part of the process. Pray about everything and everyone involved and ask that whatever is done will glorify Him.
Policy –
Having a Missions Policy (written document) helps the committee know why they exist and provides foundational principles with which to work. It will help you respond when, for example, the church wants to pave a parking lot using missions money because “it will help bring in new people.” A missions policy that defines that missions as outreach beyond the local congregation makes it clear that the parking lot is not an appropriate missions project. Policy needs to include: who’s on committee, length of term, goals and objectives, definition of missions, who can be supported, how missions is funded, etc. ACMC publishes an excellent handbook to help a church create a policy.
Prioritize –
There are many needs in the world and a single church cannot solve all of them. But over time, you can make an impact in some areas. Setting criteria for support and priorities (in a missions policy) of who and what to support (geographical, kinds of ministry, type of agency, etc.) sets out a strategy and a vision for your church’s involvement. Acts 1:8 provides a good model for this. (Notice the “AND.”) This map needs to be reevaluated (and perhaps redrawn) regularly to make sure you are on track with God’s plan for your church.
Program –
The most effective Missions programs are not the one annual weekend extravaganza. While a time of missions emphasis is important, it is better to do it conjunction with a continuing program of education. Because missions (making disciples) is the primary purpose of the church, concentrate on having an outreach piece in everything else you are about, but particularly with kids. (Parents will catch vision from their children.) Examples: Sunday School classes and Bible Studies have “own” missionary, VBS collects donations for local Crisis Pregnancy Center, Youth hold a “30-Hour Famine” for world hunger, Worship service commissions people who pack and regularly includes missions-related sermon illustrations and prayer for missionaries and current world crises.
Passion –
Enthusiasm is contagious. But the process of transforming hearts for missions is also an ongoing, never-ending education process. Basic areas of teaching include Bible study (God’s plan), missions history (humankind’s response), cultural considerations (People’s need for Jesus in every ethic group, language and tribe – Gen. 12:4 and Rev. 7:9), and current strategies (world’s needs now and status of finishing Great Commission). Stock your church library with missions biographies. There are a number of curriculums for adults and lots of materials for children. Call 1-800-MISSION (U.S. Center for World Mission) for a catalog.
People –
The second most effective way of helping people in pew to have a heart for mission and the needs of the world is to connect them with people that are doing it. This means real missionaries talking about what God is doing through them in face to face meetings (dinners, worship, fellowship times, Bible studies, etc.). Relationships develop followed by a greater interest in that ministry and others followed by increased prayer and financial support.
Pack –
The #1 way to increase your church’s missions involvement is to send someone packing. Whether this is for a two-week vacation or one year short term stint or career placement, make sure the whole congregation is aware and involved - before, during and after the trip. Sending your pastor will give him/her a better vision that will ultimately be transmitted to congregation.
Provide –
God’s word says that where your heart is, there is your treasure also. There are many ways to provide financially for missions and should be a part of the church missions policy. Possibilities: general budget item, tithing (10%) offering plate, special collections for specific people and projects, designated giving either to missions in general or to specific people and ministries church has relationship with. Missionaries also need prayer and encouragement, so look for ways to support in addition to money (letters, birthday cards, phone calls, small gifts that fit in a letter-sized envelope, visits).
Patience –
Don’t get discouraged if it takes a couple of years before you see any “progress” in your congregation’s missions vision. It is better to start small and grow it bigger, than to begin with a large event that is poorly put together. Calling something “missions” automatically decreases attendance. Food attracts, but not necessarily exotic cuisine. Collect ideas for the future by talking to other churches or going to ACMC missions conferences. People expect excellence, so take the time and energy and add creativity.
Praise –
Your missions outreach has increased. Your people are on fire for the Lord and the world. Exciting things are happening. Before you congratulate yourself, remember that you are witnessing a work of the Holy Spirit in which you have had the privilege to be a part. Make sure the glory and the credit go to God. For He is able to do more than we can ask or imagine! (Ephesians 3:20)