Years ago, I had a dream. In this dream, I was in a grocery store, pushing a cart and avoiding the people who were coming around the corner, trying to get my attention. “Hey, hey!” they said until they grabbed my shoulder and physically turned my attention toward them. What I then saw in the store were all sorts of international people.
It was my version of Paul’s “Macedonian call.” It says in Acts 16:9 (ESV), “And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, ‘Come over to Macedonia and help us.'”
I knew at that time that missions was going to play a significant role in Christian Life School of Theology Global (CLTSG). And, to be perfectly honest, I was reluctant at the time. I knew there was a cost associated with it but God wouldn’t let me get away from it.
When we talk about missions, some people tune out. They think that missions is for someone else but it’s not for a select few. It’s for every believer.
When building a missions-minded church, remind your congregation—and yourself, when needed—that supporting missions is biblical. No church is too small to fulfill the Great Commission. Remember that the apostle Paul, on his missionary journeys, thanked churches for supporting him in prayer and finances.
When building a missions-minded church, keep the vision in front of your people. Send your people on mission trips. Bring missionaries in so you can shower them with appreciation. It’s important to regularly remind your church about the impact they’re making in the world. As the saying goes, “If you don’t keep talking about it, you’re going to stop talking about it.”
When building a missions-minded church, be fueled by love and humility. Missions is all about loving people!
The first time I went to Singapore, I had the privilege of speaking to pastors and leaders from all over. One man, a pastor from Vietnam, had been in prison, beaten and whipped for his faith. Yet, after my teaching, he thanked me profusely for coming and being willing to teach leaders.
I was extremely humbled. It was a whole new level of God enlightening me to a world vision. We become more mission-minded when we get outside of ourselves.
When building a missions-minded church, ask yourself, “How can we get the gospel out?” You can do more than you think!
To learn more about building a missions-minded church, listen to my podcast episode by visiting www.randallangley.com/blog. Subscribe to the Pinnacle Leaders Podcast with Dr. Langley to listen to this episode and others for more biblical wisdom on the areas of lordship, leadership and lifestyle. {eoa}
Dr. Randal S. Langley is the president and CEO of Christian Life School of Theology Global (CLSTG), a world leader in theological and leadership education, providing online degree programs and customized Christian higher-education solutions for churches, ministries and other organizations. Dr. Langley is also president of the International Association of Bible Colleges and Seminaries and is a founding partner and certified life coach, teacher and trainer for the John C. Maxwell team. His desire is to help people fulfill their ultimate purpose in life and achieve their God-given dreams.
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