Strategy for Productive Missionaries What is God’s desire?

God’s Desire & Church Growth God wills that we plant growing churches. God wills that we plant churches that plant churches. Terminal – churches stagnate and do not plant new churches (Heb. 5:12). Germinal – churches grow through planting new churches that plant churches (Acts 13:1-3). God wills that we plant culturally appropriate churches (Acts 10:11-15; 34-35; 15:28).

God’s Desires Indigenous Churches Indigenous – culturally appropriate worship and Christian life. Language Traditions not contrary to biblical teaching Own form of worship Own form of communication of Gospel message Culturally appropriate styles Independent – not dependent on missionaries or outside support Dependent on God Three selfs: Self-supporting, Self-governing, Self-propagating Cooperation

Elements of Effective Church Planters Have strategy Awareness of the receptivity of a given mission field Conscience of cultural dynamics Negotiable Eternals Able to measure the work Objective & people oriented Reevaluate one’ strategy regularly

Missionary’s Stages of Work Adaptation Stage (1-2 years) Developmental Stage (3-10 years) Collaboration Stage (10-15 years) Partnership Stage (16-17 years) Adapted from VanRheenen – Teachers of Missions Workshop

Missionary’s Stages of Work: Adaptation Stage Interrelated primary tasks Language & culture learning Developing initial relationships Determining the focus of the ministry Beginning the ministry Identificational task Identify with the people Identify with the culture Missionary’s role Learner Early application

Missionary’s Stages of Work: Developmental Stage Interrelated primary tasks Evangelism/Church planting Nurturing churches Training leaders Identificational task Identification with unbelievers’ worldview Struggles with new Christians Challenges of emerging leaders Missionary’s role Evangelist/Church planter Nurturer Leadership trainer Facilitator

Missionary’s Stages of Work: Collaboration Stage Interrelated primary tasks Co-worker in planting churches Advisor in nurturing Co-worker in training leaders Identificational task Challenges to maturing leaders Challenges to solving church problems Struggles with new emerging & developing leaders Missionary’s role Leadership equipper Encourager Advisor Fellow servant

Missionary’s Stages of Work: Partnership Stage Interrelated primary tasks Turning over of evangelistic & planting work Reinforcing responsibility before God Planning stages of pull-out to assist with & reduce problems Sharing vision for the future work God entrusts

Missionary’s Stages of Work: Partnership Stage Identificational task Recognition of the nationals as responsible leaders Intrusting them to God’s care Missionary’s role Visitor Encourager Advisor Resource person