RIDGECREST, N.C. (BP)–“An effective church mission strategy includes a plan for teaching missions to all members of your church,” said Kenny Rains, mission opportunities and events manager for the North American Mission Board.
“Organized mission education is still an important tool, but we are aware that these programs don’t reach everyone,” Rains told participants of On Mission ’98 , the agency’s Aug. 2-6 emphasis at Ridgecrest (N.C.) Conference Center for reaching North America for Christ.
Rains outlined several non-organizational approaches to mission education. “Teach missions in worship,” he said, including the call to worship, children’s worship, drama or the pastor’s sermon.
“Also, schedule missionary speakers regularly, not just during special emphasis weeks,” he said. “Make sure you expose various age groups and make it creative. Vary the settings and the presentations.”
Rains encouraged churches to have a blast with special events. “One church I’m aware of had a ‘Taste of Missions’ event that included foods from different cultures and a missionary speaker,” he said. Additional ways to incorporate special events is through sports, prayerwalks, special studies, world mission conferences and hands-on projects.
“We need to celebrate the fact that God is at work,” Rains added. “We do this by being passionate advocates for him.”
As a church, where do you begin?
“First, you must see the need,” Rains said. “Become involved in the world around you. We know that our world is lost.”
After the need is recognized, churches then can secure a point person to head up mission involvement, set up an “on-mission team,” discover existing opportunities and develop a plan, Rains said.
“Celebration of what God is doing leads to anticipation of others getting involved,” Rains said. “Anticipate with the Father that there are folks out there who are wanting to connect but don’t know how.
“Celebration leads to anticipation,” Rains said. “And anticipation leads to further participation.”
