Review by Kevin DeYoung | 9Marks Journal: Church Membership: Holding the Body Together | 04.28.2011
I hope Dr. Plummer will consider publishing a popular level edition of the material which puts the cookies a few shelves lower and hires a graphic design team not so tied to the 1970s.
Review by Owen Strachan | 9Marks Journal: Church Membership: Holding the Body Together | 04.28.2011
As we’ll see, there is room for agreement and disagreement in the answers Lyons provides to these questions.
Review by John Starke | 9Marks Journal: Pastoral Moves | 01.03.2011
Stiles reminds us that we may not have the power of persuasion, but if we are faithful to the biblical message, we have the power of God.
Review by Mike Gilbart-Smith | 9Marks Journal: Book Reviews on the Mission of the Church | 10.25.2010
A 500 page book on mission that doesn’t stare—in fact, doesn’t even glance—at the reality of hell for the unevangelized has lost its bearings.
9Marks
They partner with missionaries who are not theologically likeminded.
They partner with missionaries who are not practically likeminded.
They partner with missionaries whose character they know insufficiently.
They give a little money to a lot of missionaries rather than substantial support to fewer missionaries.
They provide only financial support.
They are too quick to cut support when there is little apparent fruit.
9Marks
A church should be willing to affirm an individual’s desire to do overseas missions when they are confident that the person:
9Marks
How should a biblical understanding of conversion impact our evangelism? A biblical understanding of conversion should lead us to:
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The Bible teaches that our love for the gospel is verified in part by our love for supporting gospel work beyond the sphere of our own church (see 3 John). Therefore, we should discipline ourselves to give faithfully to advance gospel work beyond our local church. With that in mind, here are a few ideas that might be worth considering.
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Churches should view short-term mission trips as an opportunity to serve workers they support. This means that churches should begin by asking whether or not the missionaries want them to come on a short-term trip. Next, churches should ask the missionaries how they can best serve them, and then be willing to do whatever they ask, even if it’s a week of childcare so that the workers can train or plan together.
9Marks
Churches have limited resources. This means that churches will have to make tough decisions about who to support, and how much. To help think through those tough decisions, here are some factors to consider:
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Here are three of our favorite introductions to the topic of missions:
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Learn the local culture. The apostle Paul adapted his lifestyle to non-Jews (and Jews!) he evangelized (see 1 Cor. 9:21). This means that he paid enough attention to notice how their culture differed from his. So, rather than hopping off the airplane and beginning to correct everything, a missionary should ask questions about the worldview, presuppositions, and customs of the people to whom they are trying to minister.
9Marks
Businesspeople can be consultants for a business project that is serving as a missions platform. Many church planters in restricted areas use business as a means of gaining and maintaining access to such countries. Businesspeople can be consultants for such projects without ever having to leave their homes. And, with the relationships and knowledge they develop through consulting, businesspeople can engage in the mission work in a variety of other, more direct ways, such as short-term trips that combine evangelism and consulting.
9Marks
Become a member of a local church.
Get to know the leaders of that local church.
Make your desires known to those leaders. Invite them to evaluate your fitness for the work you desire to do based on your existing track record in ministry.
Get to know the church’s overall vision for missions. Find out if there is any way for you to be directly involved with mission work the church is already supporting or is planning to begin.
9Marks
Communicate often and openly. Expect misunderstandings, and try to ward them off by communicating freely and frequently.
Seek to build a close, trusting relationship with every worker you support.
Invest in the missionaries, not just in their work.
Agree upon goals for the relationship as well as for the ministry. Be explicit about your side’s goals. No hidden agendas.
Talk openly about money and hold one another accountable as stewards of God’s resources.