The Role of the Local Church with Regard to Missions.
Intellectually, I know that not every believer will have the gift for soul-winning, that one person plants, another waters, and God brings the increase. The New Testament affirms that new birth is an important step but only the beginning of a bigger process. Jesus commissioned his followers to make disciples but did not restrict their work to baptizing; it also included "teaching them all things."" The cross-cultural missionary and the local church are not serving in different armies; they are simply occupying different battle stations. Although evangelism may not be your passion, cross-cultural missions and evangelistic outreach are an important part of church life.
So I'll say my bit about missions and then lets get some money so we can all feel okay. Missions is so much more than just giving people money (which we don't do a very good job of anyway). So I hope in giving this lesson to help make clear the role of the local church in cross-cultural missions. Much of the information I will be presenting you I have taken from Neal Pirolo's Serving As Senders. .
II. The Need For Senders.
A. Romans 10.15, "And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is .
written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!-.
B. A Biblical Foundation: .
1. Two levels:.
a. Those who go (missionaries).
b. Those who serve as senders.
2. Back to Romans 10.
a. 10.13 - Paul quotes Joel 2.32, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."".
b. 10.14 - How can they here without someone preaching to them?.
c. 10.15 - "And how can they preach unless they are sent?-, then Paul quotes Isaiah 52.7, "Lord, who has believed our message?-.
III. Moral Support.
A. Moral support is the very foundation of the support system. Everyone in the church can be involved in this part of the ministry since in its most basic concept, moral support is simply saying, "God bless you! We are excited with you in your missionary venture!-.