Don’t Go Until You’re Sent
Don't Go? But isn't that the point?
My family is supportive. I have found a job. I'm ready to go. Wait...What about the church?
Mack Stiles addresses the imperative topic of the church's role when someone is stepping into missions in his article for The Gospel Coalition. Whether you are going as a Market Place Worker or even more traditional routes, Stiles appeals that you should not go "without the support of a healthy local church".
"The greatest challenge to modern missions is a lack of understanding of the church’s nature and its role in missions." - Mack Stiles
Stiles shares 3 of his personal insights rooted in biblical truth about the church:
- Going to the nations without the support of a local church is a little like baptizing yourself. (read the comical anecdote in full article to get the background)
- Churches should send out those they’d be willing to hire as staff.
- I’ll never again make a missions move without the collective wisdom of my elders in a healthy church.
So don’t baptize yourself. And if you’re determined to do missionary work, don’t go until you’ve submitted to, and are sent by, a healthy local church. - Mack Stiles
Start the conversation with your church today about how you can best submit to your local church and how they can best support you.
We would love to hear your testimonies and thoughts in the comments below!
To read the full article on www.thegospelcoalition.org , please click the button below.
J. Mack Stiles and his wife, Leeann, reside in Louisville, Kentucky, and are members of Third Avenue Baptist Church. They are long-term residents of the Middle East. Mack has written several books, including Marks of the Messenger: Knowing, Living, and Speaking the Gospel and, most recently, Evangelism: How the Whole Church Speaks of Jesus.
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