Here are some Characteristics of a Strong Missions Church. The descriptors are not perfect, but they are vital signs of a healthy missions church.
The following descriptions indicate a church that is growing into a model that reflects God’s heart for the nations:
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The church possesses a scriptural understanding of:
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– God’s purpose in this world: that He be glorified and worshipped throughout the earth among all people groups.
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– The role of the local church in fulfilling God’s purpose.
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The pastor and church leaders provide mission vision in the church, working with all ministry staff and ministries to inculcate a passion for global evangelization.
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Church members realize their essential roles in the Great Commission and exercise World Christian priorities in fulfilling His global purpose.
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Global missions has been integrated into the culture of the church in such a way that it has become a part of the DNA identity of the church.
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The church’s missions strategy includes a balanced strategy for both local and global aspects of its missions outreach.
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The church has a Missions Committee, Board, or Team to facilitate the mobilization and involvement of the whole congregation in the church’s missions strategy and outreach.
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The church systematically prays for and holistically supports its supported ministries and missionaries.
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Short-term missions are vibrant parts both of discipling its members as World Christians, and making win-win-win contributions to field ministries, missionaries, and their target population.
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The church has a vision to identify, train, and send missionary candidates from the congregation, in alignment with the church’s chosen strategy/ies.
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The church has developed and implemented a written missions policy, which includes strategy for involvement, care for missionaries, and other guidelines.
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The church invests a significant amount of its funds in world missions.
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The church hosts a regular world missions event, celebrating what God is doing in and through the church globally.
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Missions is frequently communicated through all the ministries of the church (worship, prayer, preaching, teaching, education, training, discipleship, small groups, youth, Sunday School, men’s and ladies groups, etc.) throughout the year.
David C. Meade
David C. Meade has been the founder, C-level officer, and consultant for a number of non-profit organizations. He has nearly fifty years of experience with church planting, pioneering field ministry among UPGs, and leadership in international and domestic NGOs. He has a strong biblical local-church-centric ministry philosophy and commitments, serving as an international outreach leader, pastor, and elder in local churches throughout his adult life. He loves teaching and mentoring church leaders and global workers preparing for service to meet the greatest need of the neediest places on earth.David is an international business consultant, NGO executive, and international leadership trainer. He has a weekly podcast and has authored hundreds of insightful and practical blogs, articles, and several books. David is a well-received speaker and teacher. His experience in non-profit leadership and international NGOs informs his counsel for leaders and workers in challenging areas of service, analyzing corporate strategies, conflict resolution, crisis management, and event leadership. David is passionate about core values based on timeless principles, valuing people, and leadership training. He is an avid family man, reader, fisherman, and world traveler.
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