Zambia Hunt

In an age where the world is more connected than ever, the role of the local church in global missions has never been more crucial. This is especially true for churches in Africa, where there’s a growing need to shift from being mere recipients of missionary efforts to becoming active participants in the Great Commission.

In this article, I want to explore how African churches can embrace a global mindset and effectively engage in mission work, and share some short, helpful questions and suggestions to jump-start your thinking about engaging in world missions in your local church.

Understanding the Mission

Before diving into strategies, it’s essential for pastors to assess their current approach to missions. These questions serve as a starting point for developing a missions-focused congregation. Ask yourself:

1. Do my church members share a common understanding of what missions means?
2. Do my church members know how to be involved in missions?
3. How often do I personally promote missions in my church?

Developing a Missions Strategy

Supporting missions demands intentional strategy and leadership. Here are some key steps:

1. Define missions clearly: If everything is missions, nothing is.
2. Teach regularly: Intentionally and repeatedly educate your church about missions.
3. Keep missions visible: Find ways to keep missions in front of your congregation every week.
4. Teach about giving: Help your church understand the importance of financial support for missions.
5. Establish accountability: Develop a strategy for collecting and distributing funds.
6. Share progress: Regularly update the congregation on both needs and accomplishments.

Biblical Perspectives

Many African churches view missions as something “Western” churches do. This mindset needs to change. As Conrad Mbewe noted: “The real disease is that church leadership rarely challenges the church membership to see the work of missions as of the very warp and woof of a church’s existence. It is seen as the optional extra for the extraordinary churches to do.”

Funding Missions Work in Africa

To maximize your church’s potential in making disciples of all nations, consider these principles:

1. Embrace the Great Commission as a local church mandate. The Great Commission was given to the local church, and results in the planting of local churches.
2. Dispel the notion that missions is something done to us and for us by the West. The mission of God is not for some “rich” others, but is something that we must embrace, and carry out in obedience to Christ’s command.
3. Challenge the idea that comparative “poverty” exempts us from mission work. The church at Philippi proves that giving is not about how much we “don’t have” it is about our committment and love for Jesus Christ.
4. Recognize that the Great Commission applies to all disciples of Jesus, living and serving under the authority of a local church.
5. Understand that “all nations” include people groups beyond our immediate context.
6. View missions as an act of worship that honors God’s sovereign purpose, and brings him eternal glory.
7. Believe in your church’s ability with God’s enabling to reach beyond cultural and geographical boundaries.

Mobilizing Your Church

Effective mission work requires mobilization at all levels. You local church will only catch the vision if you as the pastor has it!

1. Build a global vision in your congregation.
2. Educate, equip, and empower your people to make disciples.
3. Integrate world evangelism into all church ministries.
4. Ensure the senior pastor is fully engaged in the missions vision.
5. Encourage growth through challenging people to share resources.
6. Maintain strong leadership to keep an others-centered focus.
7. Invest in high-quality missions efforts.
8. Use trips to mission points as catalysts for catching a vision for involvement.
9. Develop crucial partnerships for healthy missions expansion.

Understanding the Scope of Missions

Missions involve more than just “going.” It includes:

1. Prayer: For missionaries, unreached people groups, local outreaches, and persecuted Christians.
2. Education: On biblical worldview, the spiritual status of nations, and stewardship.
3. Personal involvement: Through local outreach, missions conferences, and youth trips.
4. Sending: Recognizing the value of sending your best people to serve in other fields.
5. Intentional evangelism: Focusing on delivering the gospel, not just meeting physical needs.
6. Financial prioritization: Continually increasing giving to world evangelism.
7. Innovation: Developing unique approaches that engage church members.
8. Collaboration: Helping other churches and participating in missions conferences.
9. Organization: Developing and communicating a clear missions policy.

Becoming “Rope Holders”

Drawing inspiration from William Carey’s analogy of missions as “going down into the mine” while others hold the rope, here are practical steps to mobilize your church:

1. Host an annual missions conference as your biggest event of the year.
2. Allocate a percentage of weekly offering income directly to missions – 10% is a good place to start.
3. Challenge members to give above their tithes through missions pledges.
4. Regularly host missionaries in your church to share their work.
5. Send church leaders to visit mission works and report back.
6. Organize trips for congregation members to assist missionaries.

David Platt said, “Do not underestimate what God can do when the church is sending and workers are going to people who need the gospel.”

Conclusion

Building global-minded churches in Africa is not just possible; it’s essential. By embracing these principles and strategies, African churches can play a pivotal role in fulfilling the Great Commission. It will require risk, sacrifice, and faith, but the potential impact is immeasurable. Let’s step out in obedience to our Master’s call, trusting that He will do more through our efforts than we could ever imagine.