Missions on Point

MoP209 Church Planting - Near Cross-Culture Concerns

There is a huge need and opportunity for healthy biblical churches to consider planting a church in their "Samaria." We continue to see large communities of ethnic people around us. They, with all their extraordinary needs and often tragic personal history, need the Lord Jesus Christ presented to them understandably and lovingly. They need a local church that exalts Christ and expounds the Scripture for their life and walk with the Lord. Though the issues of near-culture church planting are complex, we believe God wants us to consider getting involved, just like commanded in Acts 1:8, for His glory.

MoP208 Church Planting - Near Culture Concerns

Acting on a commitment to plant a church in a nearby location within a very similar culture can feel daunting. Common concerns for the near-culture church plant need to be considered and addressed. Thinking through a number of diametrically opposite dynamics can help you avoid future problems. We address eleven concerns. By God's grace, working through the issues will forge your church planting team and "first members" into a unified group well before the first public worship service takes place.
 
Check out earlier episodes of Missions on Point that also talk about church planting.

MoP207 Church Planting - Modern Schemes

New church planting "keys" or "schemes," models or frameworks, come around regularly. Pragmatism overshadows hermeneutics to produce the next rapid results methodology that will surely be effective this time. Careful, solid preparation of the church planter should enable discernment and careful implementation based on genuine biblical consistency. Adapt what may be good; reject man-centered definitions; take time to build a solid foundation that stands the test of time. Our Western culture tends to be easily swayed by marketing claims and short-term proofs of rapid results. Let's do better than that as we do the steady work of planting biblical churches with genuine believers and qualified indigenous church leaders in every people group on earth.

MoP206 Church Planting - Universal Issues to Answer

Let's clear the fog and demystify more about church planting. These issues should not seem new because every vibrant church should have some experience or be working toward getting experience in church planting. In this episode, we'll talk about universal issues every church plant faces: meeting place, model, marketing, money, and melding of the church plant team.
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MoP205 Church Planting - Universal Challenges

In this series, we want to lift the veil of mystery and sometimes misunderstanding about church planting. If church planting is a sign of a healthy church, every church member should be aware of some of the issues and challenges church planters face, some of the joys and sorrows, and the needed plans and particulars of the church plant. This episode touches on seven universal challenges beginning with "D" words: distinguish, decide, determine, discern, develop, define, and differentiate. 

MoP204 Church Planting Is a Sign of a Healthy Church

Church planting is a surprisingly polarizing topic. It comes at the intersection of ecclesiology and missiology, which is the hallmark of Missions on Point. So, though we may say things that spark enthusiastic discussions, we'll start this series on church planting over these eight episodes, fueled by my own experience in church planting at home and abroad and lots of study over a handful of decades. May you be encouraged in heart and mind to love the local church and become a proponent of church planting.

MoP203 Missions Paths - Parents of Missionaries

Parents of missionaries can feel quite left behind.  But don't worry, we haven't forgotten about you.  This podcast is for you.  Emotions are all over the place: excitement, sadness, joy, fear.  How can you follow the Lord in faith as your children or grandchildren follow the Lord overseas?  You have an important role to play, and God has a missions path for you too.  Find some encouragement and help in this episode with ways that you can facilitate your relationship and manage appropriate expectations.  You will be blessed in unexpected ways as God is at work in your heart causing you to trust in Him alone.  

MoP202 Missions Paths - Field Missionary Part 2

Continuing the Missions Path from last week, we are considering what it looks like to be a field missionary.  There are some important strategies you need to consider.  Altogether, there are seven steps you can take to be a faithful missionary.  This episode especially focuses on the last few steps of a missionary and how to finish well.  We pray you are encouraged by thinking deeply and biblically about your priorities as a missionary.