Have we come full circle? Do we find ourselves, today, in a mission context very similar to that of Paul and the early Church? Mission in Paul’s day was E1* and E2*. Cultural adaptation of the message was necessary, but learning a new language was not! The cities of the Roman world, such as Ephesus, […]
Category: Mission Today
Interpreting Scripture in the Context of Mission
Scripture must be interpreted in the context of mission! Wow, quite a statement, and one that not all seminary professors might be comfortable with, nor most pastors, I would hasten to add! In fact, I would surmise that the vast majority of church leaders today, regardless of their field of leadership, would quite possibly find […]
Critical Issues: Defining ‘Mission’ and Mission Terms
The word ‘mission’ has been defined “both by theology and context. The context, for the past two hundred years, has been the ‘modern missionary movement’ that began, developed and grew during the Colonial period of world history. This period has shaped much of the way we have interpreted biblical passages that speak of the ‘mission […]
The Things That MUST HAPPEN Before The Lord Will Return
Personally, I have never believed the second coming of Christ depended on the arrival of a fixed date. That is not to say that God, in His infinite knowledge, doesn’t know the exact day when Jesus will return (Ac 1:7). THAT DAY, I believe, is determined far more by the fulfillment of God’s purposes than […]
The World Christian Movement – A Double Edged Sword
Who really benefits from the world Christian movement? Well, of course the unreached and the unsaved do! They get the chance to hear the ‘good news’, respond, and experience the fulfillment to their spiritual search both as a ‘people’ and as a person! But have you ever wondered why God entrusted the Great Commission to […]
So, What’s Gone Wrong?
So, why don’t all God’s people actively, effectively and enthusiastically participate in the world Christian movement? Is God no longer as generous in giving visions, dreams and prophecies to ALL His people? Has He become more selective over the generations? Has Jesus waned in His enthusiasm to disciple ALL nations? Has the Holy Spirit indeed ceased […]
Saved by Grace, Saved for Works: What are the Works We have Been Saved For?
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10b How far ‘in advance’ did God prepare these ‘good works’ and what exactly are the ‘good works’ we are supposed to do? Well, at a bare minimum they were prepared […]
Nameless Workers – the Future of the World Christian Movement
Recognizing and honoring the contribution of the ‘nameless’ workers in the world Christian movement is the key to the completion of the Great Commission! This is the true celebration of the ‘ministry of all believers; as Christ intended all along! This pattern was first seen in the Book of Acts, when ‘nameless’ people planted the most significant church, […]
Visions, Dreams, and Prophecies – Standard New Testament Practice!
Visions, dreams and prophecies feature prominently in the prophecy that launched the Church age (Ac 2:17-18). What is their significance to the outworking of the gospel going to the ends of the earth? And what is their significance to the ‘ministry of all believers’ which Joel’s prophecy establishes? Well, the answer is very simple! God wants […]
The Ministry of ALL Believers – No Age nor Gender Restrictions
In his prophecy, Joel was careful to clarify God’s full intentions in pouring out His Spirit on “all people’. It would result in the ingathering of a great harvest into Christ’s Kingdom involving people and peoples from all over the world, beginning at Jerusalem and ending at the uttermost parts of the earth (Ac 1:8, […]