Why Our Methods Matter

 I have been doing the "missions" thing for awhile now. I have studied missions, lived as a missionary, and taught, trained, and supported missionaries  It has been an absolute blast to serve alongside Meagan, my wife, in all of these roles.  God has been incredibly kind and good to us. 

In the 10+ years of living in the world one thing is obvious.  It is not just the going that matters, but how we go is just as important.  

Our Methods Matter.

Why you ask?  Isn't missions just one thirsty person telling another thirsty person where to get water?

No, it must be more than just that.  Missions must have an ultimate goal of seeing healthy churches established in areas where churches do not exist.  New believers must be celebrated, but new believers not discipled well and not gathered into healthy churches is to fail.  

When I moved overseas after seminary. I was on a team that specialized in Church Planting Movements using the 4 Fields.  We worked hard to see brand new believers plant new churches.  We prayed these churches of new believers would go fast and far.  We told them if they did exactly what we were telling them (what scripture prescribed) they would see a church planting movement that would see thousands of churches planted in just a few years.

I worked with some incredible people doing this.  They love the lord and most of them care greatly about local churches.  They do incredible work pushing local believers to be serious about the task.  They understand the urgency of missions and they love Jesus.  They are also some of out closest friends.  We love them and they have loved us so incredibly well. 

Still, the more I was involved with CPM's (Church Planting Movements) the more I struggled.  Guaranteed results, underdeveloped churches, and incomplete discipleship all left me wondering what we were doing?

Is there a better way?  

Since then, we along with others have been searching for more.  What are the other options in missionary strategies?  We have learned a lot and will feature what we have learned.  We've read a lot of articles and books, listened to podcast and lectures, and have asked a lot of questions. 

Our hope is that you are encouraged and challenged to be a better missionary.  

Thank you for reading.

We are always looking for more resources, and not just those against CPM's so please pass along what you have read to ourmethodsmatter@gmail.com.