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Helping the missionaries we support requires
action from the congregational leadership!
According to research from the Missions Resource Network ( mrnet.org), “Research among churches of Christ indicates that congregations deeply involved in meaningful evangelistic efforts are led by elders, preachers and missions committees with deep commitments to the principles and practice of missions.” If I may add evidence gathered from 40+ years of ministry, I believe that a congregation will never have an effective missions program without deep involvement of congregational leadership.
The Senior Minister, Teaching Pastor, or whatever the title may be MUST be a promoter of missions for the congregation to be truly committed. A well known truism remains, “What is mentioned from the pulpit is promoted by the church.” Saddleback Church became a church of small groups because Rick Warren talked about HIS small group from the pulpit. If the lead minister is committed to missions, the congregation will likely be committed to missions and the missionaries supported by the church.
Of equal importance is the commitment of the elders to missions. In the video noted last week from my presentation at the Lake James School of Missions, I mentioned the First Christian Church of Morrow, Georgia where I was Senior Minister. Allow me to brag on the elders! When I arrived, they wanted to increase the congregation’s commitment to missions. Together we presented a challenge to increase missions support 1% of the church budget annually. The proposal was adopted, but there were challenges from some in the congregation who disagreed. The elders never wavered! I was encouraged, and we encouraged the congregation to come along with us. Many situations have changed since that time in the area and for the congregation, but those men LED the congregation with a heart for missions.
Gailyn Van Rheenen & Bob Waldron (The Status of Missions. ACU Press, 2004) wrote, “Churches with one or more elders who champion global missions are nearly twice as likely to be highly involved in missions as their counterparts.” The research and experience are undeniable, if your congregation is to have a heart for missions and the missionaries you support, the congregational leaders MUST be visible and vocal in their involvement. You think about that!
Praying for more to be His,
Reggie Hundley
Executive Director
Mission Services Association, Inc.
the missions network
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