Book Summaries

by Jeffrey Bush

Missions should not be one of the many ministries in the church or something we mention once a year; missions should be the heartbeat of the church. We want to get the Gospel out to the world. The following are a few ideas of how to keep missions in front of the people.

• Accept the Task 

The Great Commission is for the church, for God’s disciples, not for the lost world who does not know Him. It is our responsibility if we are a child of God. 

• Pray for the World 

Put a map up and start praying. Have a missionary and country of the week and pray for them. Put the missionary, country or stats in the bulletin. Announce it and put it on the screen. Make sure the need stays in front of the people. Pass around a card each week in Sunday school or small group classes and sign the back, saying you have prayed for them. Scan or give this card to that missionary to encourage him. 

• Teach Missions 

It is our job as spiritual leaders to inform all the people, from the nursery to the children to the youth classes, all the way through the senior citizens. Missions cannot be just one of the programs of the church, it must take forefront of our church. A large majority of missionaries serving on the field surrendered their lives when they were young… so we must teach missions throughout every age group of our church. Missionary stories to the children, missions trips for the youth and missionary biographies available for all. Keep the prayer letters around the church or in the bulletin. Post on social media so people can see and read what God is doing around the world! 

• Give to Missions 

We’ve all heard the old adage, but it’s true that we must put our money where our mouth is. We should unashamedly give to missions. Statistically, less than 20% of Independent Baptist churches have an annual missions conference. During a mission’s conference the missionary can present his burden and needs and the people can make a commitment to give to missions throughout the year, knowing where their money is going. This will greatly encourage the people to give to missions. 

• Regular Communication 

Encourage the church people to contact the missionaries via email or social media. When there is good communication, there is both knowledge of what is going on as well as interest in what is going on in the world of missions. 

Everyone has a bad day and goes through both discouraging and difficult times. A great medicine for those moments is to read missionary biographies. They will encourage you, challenge you, open your eyes to difficulties others have been through, and give you insight into normal people who trusted a big God. A steady missionary biography diet could be exactly what you need to stay strong and encouraged in the journey of life. 

Below are my (Jeffrey Bush) top ten when it comes to missionary biographies: 

1. 1. Adoniram Judson, Bound for Burma by Janet and Geoff Benge 
   2. Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret by Howard and Geraldine Taylor
   3. Jacob Deshazer, Forgive Your Enemies by Janet Benge
   4. Bob Hughes: An Extraordinary Life by Monroe Roark 
   5. God’s Smuggler by Brother Andrew
   6. Cameron Townsend by Janet Benge
   7. Gladys Aylward, The Adventure of a Lifetime by Janet Benge
   8. The Last of the Giants by Harry Rimmer 
   9. In The Presence of Mine Enemies by Garcia Burnham
   10. Come Up to this Mountain by Lois Neely

MISSIONS

A famous artist was once asked to paint a picture of a dying church. It was expected that he would paint a small and humble congregation in an old, rundown, dilapidated building. Instead, he painted a stately edifice with a rich pulpit and magnificent windows — and near the door, an offering box, marked “Missions” with the contribution slot blocked by cobwebs.

When a church loses its burden for missions, it can pretend to be alive, but it’s really dead! It has ceased to be a New Testament church. Remember, the mission of the church is missions!

Although it is a delight for a church to hear a missionary presentation, sometimes the pastor may want to interview the missionary in front of the church. Interviewing a missionary will allow the church to hear the specific questions that can most benefit them. This list is in no way perfect, just a few that will spark other ideas.

• Tell us how you got saved. 

• Tell us why you believe God wanted you to be a missionary. 

• Why did you choose that specific country? 

• How could we as a church have a part in your ministry?

• What was the strangest experience you have had so far? 

• What was the hardest challenge you have faced?

• What is the funniest thing that has happened? 

• What is your favorite memory from your time in the country so far? 

• How can we be praying for you?

(From the book Discovering Missions by Charles R. Gailey / Howard Culbertson)

Some local churches set very audacious global mission goals for themselves. An example is the West Covina (California) Christian Church, whose leadership came up with the following goal statement: 

“Because our blessings have brought equal responsibilities, we therefore set the following goals: 

•World evangelization permeates church life throughout the year. 

•Every member expects to have some role in the global harvest. 

•God’s heart for the nations is heard in almost every service. 

•Church leadership continually challenges couples and singles to consider
going overseas. 

•Going on short-term mission trips is the expected norm. 

•The average lay member of this congregation, knowing God’s heart for
all nations is a major theme of the Bible, can name several scripture passages about world evangelism. 

•Global mission needs will be met even before the local church electric
bill is paid. 

•Most members will know the church’s adopted missionaries, where they
serve, and what their needs are. 

•Mission information and prayer times are mainstream. 

•The church aims to give no less than 25% of its income to world missions. 

•World evangelization is seen as half the reason that local church exists.” 

Because the essence of the gospel—the Good News—is such that it must be shared with all people everywhere, mission cannot be left to a few missionary-minded people. Because global mission is on the heart of the triune God, it must be on the heart of the local church.

by Jeffrey Bush 

As I have traveled, I’ve seen various means in which churches give to worldwide missions. You may think that some are better than others, but it is my opinion that any idea is better than no idea when it comes to giving to missions. So here’s a list of different ideas:

• Budget

Some churches give a percentage out of the general budget (10-20% are the most common numbers I have seen or heard).

• Faith Promise Missions

Passing out faith promise cards and asking the church to commit to a certain amount per week/month/year for missions. Cards are usually gathered up at the end of the mission’s conference. Some churches have a mid-year conference or missions emphasis Sunday(s) as a reminder of their commitment.

• Sunday School Classes

A specific Sunday school class supports a missionary. They read the missionary’s updates in class, take up an offering and support one or more missionaries as an individual class. 

• Children’s Offerings

On Sunday mornings the children in the church take up change (or bills) in the service and that offering goes specifically to missionaries or a missionary project. Others will take up offerings in the children’s church and use that offering for missions.

• Wednesday Night Offerings

Although I have seen this with Sunday nights as well, some churches will use the offering from a specific service to go towards missions. 

• Vacation Bible School Offering

Many churches raise a large sum of money during Vacation Bible School and send it for specific missionary projects. 

• Individuals Within the Church

I have seen some churches that ask individuals or families in the church to sponsor a missionary. The church asks the family or individual to commit for one year. 

What is the best way of giving? I personally prefer the faith promise route, but to be quite honest, any way a church or person gives to missions is not a bad way. And I have found out that the people blessed for the offering is the giver more than the one receiving the offering. It’s always good to give to God’s work!