Thoughts for a Church Planter

The New Testament church should reproduce itself by starting other churches. Starting a church should never be something forced rather natural. There is a great need to start more churches (although sadly some don’t even see the need), but it is always better to have someone who desires to be the leader and pastor for the new church that is going to be started. When someone desires to start a church and the pastor and congregation chooses a man to do so, the church planter should think very seriously concerning what he is about to do. Below are a few practical suggestions to what someone should think about and know before starting the new church. The more a persona can think, pray and plan before he begins the new church, the better it will be for him. Continue reading “Thoughts for a Church Planter”

There is no success without a successor

“There is no success without a successor”.  This is a great statement and shows us that no one is a self-made man. We all are who we are and what we are thanks to God and to the people He has placed in our lives. Parents, coaches, teachers, friends and spiritual leaders are just a few we could mention that have helped us to be where we are and what we are. Check out a few people in Scripture that became who they were thanks to those before them: Continue reading “There is no success without a successor”

The Master Plan of Evangelism

A very good book that speaks of how the Lord did ministry is The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert E. Coleman. You can buy the book online about everywhere. I encourage you to get this small book and read it… and re-read it. I have noted a few of great nuggets this book gave:

  • Merely because we are busy, or even skilled, doing something does not necessarily mean that we are getting anything accomplished. The question must always be asked: Is it worth doing? And does it get the job done?
  • Men were His (Jesus’) method. His concern was not with programs to reach the multitudes, but with men whom the multitudes would follow. Remarkable as it may seem, Jesus started to gather these men before He ever organized an evangelistic campaign or even preached a sermon in public. Men were to be His method of winning the world to God.

Continue reading “The Master Plan of Evangelism”

Ten Suggestions To More Effective Missionary Display Booths

SOURCE: By Butch Oglesby (Many of the suggestions in this article are
based on the book, “How To Get The Most Out of Trade Shows”, by Steve
Miller.) 31 Oct 2003

One of the many tasks of a furloughing missionary is to inform his or her stateside constituents about the work that God is doing where the missionary is serving. We do this not just to inform, but to encourage interest in and support for missions. Even those of us who serve in denominations that do not require us to raise our own support must encourage our supporters to pray for us and the people we are trying to reach. Naturally, we want them to become excited about missions and support our work financially, either directly or indirectly.

Speaking at churches and mission conferences is most often the venue for missionaries, and we are expected to have some sort of display and even dress in our national costume. Often these mission conferences take on the
feel of a trade fair. In fact they may best be thought of as missions fairs. In order to be as effective as we can possibly be it would be good for us to remember some simple and basic rules about one’s mission exhibit. Below a few suggestions and the dos and don’ts of manning your missionary display.

1. Make your display area open. People do not like to walk into a booth where they feel trapped. If you have a table, move it to the rear of the booth so the area feels open and inviting. Don’t be a border guard. That is, don’t stand in the way of your display.

2. Have as much interactivity as possible. If you have a laptop computer you can produce a continuous slide show in Power Point or other programs to encourage visitors to pause a few moments at your booth. People love to touch things; simple games from your country are always attention-getters.

3. Keep your exhibit area neat. People will move things and generally clutter your table. From time-to-time straighten up the clutter. If you have equipment or extra material you are not using at the moment, try to find an out-of-the-way place to store it where it is not visible.

4. Give something away: brochures, fact sheets, pencils, candy from your country; the list goes on. However, don’t give brochures to everyone. They are expensive, and research shows that 90% of them are thrown away before
the recipient reaches home. One researcher says that the average time spent reading a brochure is 1.3 seconds. So, be selective about giving away your slick, four-color brochures.

5. Don’t sit or read in your booth. This gives the impression you really don’t want to be bothered or that you are “off duty.” People will pass you by if you give them any reason to do so.

6. Don’t eat or drink at your booth. It is rude and messy; people are polite and will not bother you while you are eating.

7. Don’t chew gum or suck breath mints. It is not pleasant to talk to someone who has something in their mouth. If you feel you need a breath freshener, use a spray.

8. Don’t ignore those who wander into your booth. If you are busy with someone else, at least acknowledge the person or draw him or her into the conversation.

9. Don’t spend your time visiting with the other missionaries. You do not want to look too busy to spend time with a potential prayer warrior!

10. Wear your badge properly. It may seem more cool to wear it on your sleeve or waistband, but if you want people to read it, then it should be placed on your shirt or jacket wear it can be easily and quickly read.

These are only a few suggestions, but following them will help you stand out and be effective. After all, you want to give your people group the best representation possible.

Survey Trip Check List

 

Name  __________________________________ Country ____________________________

Date of Trip _____________________________

Cities Visited: _________________________________________________________________

Living Expenses:

What is available to rent?  ______________________________________________________

What is the cost of an apartment? _____________ a house? ___________________________

Other? ______________________________________________________________________

What is the cost for utilities? Electricity? _______________ Water? _____________________________ Is the current 220 or 110?

Telephone? ____________________ Gas for house? ____________ Propane, Natural, Gas

bottles? What will set up cost be for the bottles etc.? ____________________ Continue reading “Survey Trip Check List”

Should I go on a Missions Trip?

By Austin Gardner

You should not go on a trip if the following is true in your life:

  1. Your personal comfort is a priority for you.
  2. You are unable to be flexible.
  3. You do not have a true desire & attitude of service.
  4. You will not be able to focus on the culture & those around you instead of yourself.
  5. You are unwilling to submit to the leadership of someone else.
  6. You are afraid to try new things.
  7. You do not have a vital growing spiritual life.

Continue reading “Should I go on a Missions Trip?”

Self Motivated

Every Friday from 9am to 1pm we hold classes at the Vision Baptist Church to discuss missions and ministry. Our pastor, Austin Gardner, moderates it and many of the OGTC students, VBM missionaries and other missionaries drive in to participate in these Friday classes. If you are ever in the area and want to be challenged about missions and ministry, this class is for you! Today, specifically, we had a wonderful class and I was inspired to write this blog about Self Motivation as a result. I personally believe that being self-motivated could be the break point for many missionaries and ministries. Being self-motivated has EVERYTHING to do with missions and ministry! Continue reading “Self Motivated”