Propempo International

A couple of quick thoughts on this:
Most church leaders have a vague idea that maybe their church could be doing better in missions ministry. But, there are a couple of obstacles they must overcome in order to begin to address development.

Missiology is a sweeping panorama of subjects, including biblical foundations, history, strategy, and culture. However, for those seeking to plant indigenous churches particularly in pioneering fields, applying these four principles may be all that is needed:

Churches often ask what priorities they should use to determine who and how much to support cross-cultural missions. The answer can be complex, dependent on a number of variables.

In today's environment of economic challenges and proliferation of strategic options for our support in local church missions, it's a good thing to step back and revisit foundational principles to any decisions for support or partnership. Here are some good ones, gleaned and genericized from our consultation with churches:

The term "contextualization" has been hijacked by heretics. It used to mean something good and right in missiology. These days there are folks who are saying that, unless you are willing to abdicate certain doctrines, you are not truly contextualizing. It used to be more obvious that such a stance was heresy.

OK -- here are ideas on the most basic keys to effectiveness:

0. Serve the church - This should be understood; but it's better to articulate it because, unfortunately, the minority of church missions teams have this orientation.

OK, I'm letting the cat out of the bag. Yes, I've organizing some of my teaching on this subject into a draft booklet. It's not finished yet; but, I've decided to share the outline. See if it doesn't stimulate some positive thoughts and prayers and actions in your heart and mind.

Missionaries ought to be highly qualified in every respect; good education, good sense, and good temper are indispensable. ... A sound mind and a sound body, independence of character, strength of judgment, aptitude both to learn and to teach, are of great consequence. An ability to acquire and retain languages; tact in managing others, so as to conciliate and yet to retain proper dignity and self respect are of great importance.

Have you ever read the second version? It's rarely in our hymnbooks. The text of So Send I You, sometimes called the finest missionary hymn of the twentieth century, was written by 22-year-old E. Margaret Clarkson. The original version is certainly one of the best known missionary hymns. However, few people know the second version and the story of her re-writing the original to be far better.