Mission Affirmed
By Elliott Clark
– Paul was motivated by his desire to please God.
– Western Christians come from a task-oriented and time-conscious society.
Relationships are not as important. Our consumerist-culture tells us that prudence and patience is a virtue of the past. Novelty seems more important than durability.
– Whereas the current model of missions says to “work yourself out of a job,” we might want to change that for “build something that lasts.”
– We are driven by a mantra of “mission accomplished,” but we must not sacrifice living in the moment with staying power.
– With the more resent missions fad of reaching the unreached groups, we have hurriedly imitated western capitalism instead of Christlike work and patience.
– What matters is God’s approval on our work and having lasting efforts. Shoddy work will not be praised.
– Paul was definitely influenced by judgment and rewards.
– What makes Christians different is not that they don’t seek glory, but they seek the glory of God rather than their own.
– Westerners must be careful not to connect the gospel with aspirations of a better life.
– The goal of missions is not quick gains but lasting results.
– Amy Carmichael told missionaries to not go to field unless you can say to the Lord
and to yourself that the cross is your attraction.
– The cross proceeds the crown. Those lifted up must first go down.
– Although Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ commissioned by God alone, he was
also sent by and accountable to a church.
– Missionaries are not to be independent agents with their own agenda, they are to be
coworkers with their church and others.
– We don’t just need more missionaries, we need the right kind of missionaries.
– Missionaries should learn before they go, listen to the nationals when they arrive, and
partner with a national church before they start on their own.
– Simply having a heart to help and a ticket in hand does not make one a good
missionary.
– When the church sent Paul, they sent their best. Today it seems a church sends
almost anyone.
– Churches should be careful of the missionaries they send, and they should not
support missionaries they do not believe God has commissioned.