A Life in Exile

A recent trip to a neighboring Tennessee town is the cause for the focus of this post today. I went to provide some books and Middle Eastern knick-knacks to friends who were participating in a missions weekend at a local church, and though I didn’t stay long, I was there long enough for some good conversation, encouragement, food, an invitation to participate next year, and even a gift! I got into my car for the return drive thankful for the blessing of the church.

We, as church members and even missionaries, often take for granted the importance of the local church for the cause of Christ. The reality is this: The local church is the lifeblood of missions and holds the keys to the future of our missionary endeavors at home and abroad.

What are the parts of this puzzle? Let me name a few, though they are not in order of importance; for we know that all parts of the body are needed for the whole to function. The same is true in the work of the harvest fields.

The Missions Pastor and Missions-Minded Pastor

Leadership is crucial for the work of missions to be at the forefront of a church’s vision and budget. When a pastor is more concerned with the work inside the walls of the building, missions is forgotten and support non-existent. Thankfully, in many churches of our day, we now see men set apart to focus specifically on missions—serving as the Missions Pastor or Elder. This becomes the go-to man for missionaries to email and meet with to set up ways to engage the church as a whole. If a church is blessed enough to have a missions-minded senior or teaching pastor, then there are going to be even more opportunities for the church to pray for and support missions. Most likely, in either of these scenarios, a church that focuses leadership on missions has teams going out on mission.

Personal relationships are the best, as email inboxes are amazingly full of all kinds of requests for attention. Find ways to network and make connections with as many pastors as you can while you’re in the area, so you can continue the connection when you’re back at your place of service.

Mission Committees and Bible Study or Life Groups

Some churches have a committee of church members that focuses specifically on missions. They help organize local, statewide, national, and even international mission trips while serving as liaisons to ministries and missionaries for the church. Connecting with a missions committee becomes your lifeline of support from that specific church, as those who serve are excited about missions and love to help and encourage missionaries. You might be the person who helps them learn how to better do that, as you share your needs and give them insight into how they can play a part in the mission.

While speaking to the church as a whole has an impact, I think spending time with smaller groups is even more impactful, as you can answer questions, letting them get to know you and the people you serve in a more intimate setting. Also, having them engage with you for an hour during Bible study or at a home, connects you better and gives them a face to put with the prayers. Adding an entire Bible study group to your newsletter list brings powerful spiritual support to your work.

WMU and other Mission Groups

As a Southern Baptist, there was a time when every SBC church had a Woman’s Missionary Union actively serving the cause of missions in the church through women’s meetings and children’s mission organizations. Though the WMU is still very active, many churches are missing this key component both in the promotion of missions church-wide and also in the raising of mission-conscious children. Seek out WMU groups in your area or other mission groups local churches may have. The impact of speaking at an adult or children’s missions group cannot be understated. As one who knows, hearing a missionary speak can be the spark God uses to lead a child or even an adult to surrender to service.

Pray for the Church

While missionaries rely on the prayers of the local church, we often fail to pray for those we represent. The biblical integrity, strength, spiritual growth, and missions involvement of the local church have a direct correlation to the success and strength of all mission endeavors. We must remember our churches in our prayers. They are under attack as never before, whether by complacency, false teaching, or direct attack from the culture around them. Just as all parts of the body serve the whole, missionaries must do their part in praying for and supporting the local church.

We’re all weak vessels striving for the work of the Master. Even at their weakest, the local churches are the best defense against the evil of this world. Don’t forget them and they won’t forget you.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Mission Monday post, click HERE, or check out these posts on the topic of the local church: Antioch Stories, Blessed are the Networkers, The Purpose of the Church, and The Importance of Touch.