In this festive episode of The Missions Podcast, we unwrap the topic of outreach during the Christmas season and beyondâfrom shoeboxes to food drives to capital campaigns and, of course, door-to-door caroling. We explore each methodâs effectiveness, asking the tough questions: Are we truly meeting needs or just fulfilling our own holiday expectations? Are thereContinue reading “âTis the Season to Rethink Outreach?”
Tag Archives: local church
Local Church Centered Missions With Ryan Robertson | Radius 2023
What is a healthy church? How can missionaries overcome the temptation to compromise on their ecclesiology? In this 2023 Radius Conference exclusive, Ryan Robertson, president of Reaching and Teaching, discusses what local church centered missions looks like. Also: Cloud of Witnesses is an upcoming podcast coming to the ABWE network. Learn more at cloudofwitnessespodcast.com. Believe in our mission?Continue reading “Local Church Centered Missions With Ryan Robertson | Radius 2023”
Exposing Pastoral Blindspots: Paul Davis on Common Missions Mistakes
In this episode of the Missions Podcast, hosts Alex and Scott engage in a compelling conversation with ABWE President Paul Davis, delving into the blindspots that pastors often encounter when it comes to missions. Paul shares his observations and experiences from working with global teams and local churches, highlighting recurring areas where mission teams andContinue reading “Exposing Pastoral Blindspots: Paul Davis on Common Missions Mistakes”
Partnering on Mission: Why Church Associationalism Matters With Dr. James Renihan
Modern people are fiercely independent. In America, our churches tightly hold on to their freedom. What biblical basis is there for church associations? Can Baptists partner together on mission while still holding to local church autonomy? Dr. James Renihan, theologian and president of International Reformed Baptist Seminary, answers. After a ministry of church planting inContinue reading “Partnering on Mission: Why Church Associationalism Matters With Dr. James Renihan”
What Is Discipleship?
Weâre called to make disciples of all nations. But how? Is discipleship a separate program added to the life of the church, or is it the sum total of the entire ministry of the church? And how do we know if weâre succeeding? Alex and Scott wrestle through these critical questions. Believe in our mission? SupportContinue reading “What Is Discipleship?”
Cooperation, Direct Sending, or Both? Paul Davis Answers – #FTC22
How should local churches work together in the cause of missions? Should more churches cooperate? Is direct sending and support raising the best option? We kick off our first feature from For the Church 2022 by talking to Paul Davis, ABWE president. Watch the video version of this episode on the ABWE YouTube channel. Believe inContinue reading “Cooperation, Direct Sending, or Both? Paul Davis Answers – #FTC22”
When a Sending Church Un-Sends a Missionary
What should missionaries do when a sending church withdraws their support? If we value submission to the local church as much as we value missions, the answer isnât always easy. This week, Scott Dunford and Alex Kocman discuss how overseas workers can address rifts with their home church. Believe in our mission? Support this podcast. Want to ask a questionContinue reading “When a Sending Church Un-Sends a Missionary”
T4G22: Charles Smith and Paul Davis on Missions, Education, and the Church
Why do so few seminary graduates go to the mission field? Charles Smith, vice president of Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and ABWE board member, and Paul Davis, ABWE president, share solutions. You can watch the video version of this episode on the Missions Podcast Facebook page. Hear our previous interviews with Charles here. Subscribe now to neverContinue reading “T4G22: Charles Smith and Paul Davis on Missions, Education, and the Church”
T4G22: Why Upstream Sending? Nathan Sloan Shares
Sending missionaries is the local churchâs jobâso why start a new parachurch missions sending organization? Nathan Sloan, pastor and executive director of the Upstream Sending explains in this exclusive interview recorded at the final Together for the Gospel conference. Nathan has a Doctor of Missiology from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Previously, Nathan and hisContinue reading “T4G22: Why Upstream Sending? Nathan Sloan Shares”
Doing Missions Committees Right: Paul Davis Shares
For some, the word âcommitteeâ means slow, ineffective bureaucracy. How can we keep the passive, maintenance mindset out of our local church missions committees? And what does Scripture have to say about this mode of church organization? ABWE President Paul Davis answers. Mentioned in this episode: Missions by the Book (Chad Vegas and Alex Kocman) Launch Point 7 HabitsContinue reading “Doing Missions Committees Right: Paul Davis Shares”
Sending When It Hurts: Josh Teis on the Pastorâs Job in Mobilization
Everyone says they believe in sending missionaries. But what about when it hurts? What about when your churchâs most gifted people leave? And what about when missions seems to compete in priority with local outreach? In this episode, Josh Teis weighs in. Josh pastors Southern Hills Baptist Church in Las Vegas, N.V. He earned his B.A. inContinue reading “Sending When It Hurts: Josh Teis on the Pastorâs Job in Mobilization”
#RMC21 Panel 2: Sending Well With Paul Davis, Chad Vegas, and Barry Brown
Sending missionaries has taught these pastors what to doâand what not to do. Chad Vegas, Paul Davis and Barry Brown join Scott Dunford and Alex Kocman in this panel from the 2021 Radius Missiology Conference. Watch the video version of this episode: youtu.be/NEyXBNj9HTU. Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com. The MissionsContinue reading “#RMC21 Panel 2: Sending Well With Paul Davis, Chad Vegas, and Barry Brown”
#RMC21: Mark Dever on Pragmatism, Ecclesiology, and the Post-COVID Church
Weâre live at the Radius Missiology Conference in Minneapolis! In this midweek exclusive, Mark Dever of 9Marks joins Scott and Alex to unpack what a healthy church looks like in the realm of missions. Watch the conference live as it unfolds. Purchase a discounted viewing pass for only $10 at missionspodcast.com/radius. Watch the video version ofContinue reading “#RMC21: Mark Dever on Pragmatism, Ecclesiology, and the Post-COVID Church”
Nathan Sloan on the Sacrifice of Sending
Every church wants to send. So why arenât we? Could it be that we arenât willing to pay the priceâor worse, that local churches are relying on parachurch organizations to do what only the body of Christ can? This week, Pastor Nathan Sloan of Sojourn Church weighs in with some loving rebukes and encouraging insightsContinue reading “Nathan Sloan on the Sacrifice of Sending”
Has COVID-19 Halted Global Missions? Paul Davis Answers
With global travel restrictions and months-long shutdowns in place, what is happening to world missions? Scott and Alex interviewed ABWE President Paul Davis to answer from his perspective overseeing work in 70 countries. In this episode, Paul shares his new rhythms in life, what missionaries are telling him, what heâd be doing right now ifContinue reading “Has COVID-19 Halted Global Missions? Paul Davis Answers”
Longevity and Endurance in Church Planting: Bob Trout Shares
In our impatient, have-it-now society, itâs difficult to think long-term about serving in one field of ministry for decadesâmuch less healthy church planting and multiplication over the long haul. In this episode, ABWE veteran Bob Trout shares the blessings of and keys to longevity and endurance in a field where he saw over 40 ColombianContinue reading “Longevity and Endurance in Church Planting: Bob Trout Shares”
Benjamin Vrbicek: Donât Just Send a Resume to a ChurchâOr a Missions Agency
Too often in pursuit of full-time ministry abroad or at home, ministry applicants simply email a church or missions agency their resume and leave the rest of the hiring process to chance. Whether youâre fresh out of seminary or transitioning to ministry after a full career in the outside workforce, such a haphazard approach isContinue reading “Benjamin Vrbicek: Donât Just Send a Resume to a ChurchâOr a Missions Agency”
Should Missions Be âRadicalâ or Ordinary? Michael Horton Answers
Radical. Transformative. Impact. Crazy, even. These words fill the atmosphere when Christians discuss the sacrifice and risk involved in missions. But has all this talk of âradicalâ living left us unable to cope with regular life, ordinariness, boredom, and Godâs normal means of grace? This week we talked with Dr. Michael Horton, professor, author, andContinue reading “Should Missions Be âRadicalâ or Ordinary? Michael Horton Answers”
Andrew Fuller: The Man Behind the Man Behind Modern Missions â With Travis Myers
Behind every great missionary, thereâs a great sending pastor. That was certainly true in the case of Andrew Fuller, the pastor of William Carey and a fellow advocate of the modern missionary movement among the English Particular Baptists of his day. What can modern ministers learn from this influential local church leader who helped launchContinue reading “Andrew Fuller: The Man Behind the Man Behind Modern Missions â With Travis Myers”
When Everything Is Missions… (Nothing Is): A Chat With Denny Spitters and Matthew Ellison
Is every Christian a missionary? Is there a difference between “missions,” “missional,” and “mission?” Denny Spitters and President Matthew Ellison, authors of When Everything Is Missions, answer.
How to Raise Missions-Minded Children
Parenting is stressful enoughânot to mention the crucial responsibility parents have to raise their children in the way of Christ. Is it worthwhile to expose children to missions, and if so, how early is too early? What are some best practices for instilling a global mindset in our kids? The director of ABWE’s Next GenerationContinue reading “How to Raise Missions-Minded Children”
Paul Davis on the Pastor as Mobilizer
How can local church pastors lead the charge to mobilize for missions? ABWE President Paul Davis joins us to share his insights on how pastors can spark missions-minded imagination fueled by culture and Scripture, drawing on his decades of experience in local church ministry at Calvary Baptist Church in Holland, Michigan.
How to Build a Sending Church Culture
Where are all the new missionaries? In the church. Join us as we explore seven ways to build a sending church and mobilize the next generation of goers God has sovereignly placed in the pews.
Whatâs Wrong With Missions Agencies
In our first episode, we lay it down straight about missions agencies. Are they biblical, or are they just modern constructs that exist to fill the gap when the local church drops the ball? Do they even work?