by Kevin T. Bauder
In a recent In the Nick of Time essay, I suggested that learning is not the only qualification for ministry. I argued that it is not even the most important qualification. The brightest student may fail in ministry if he lacks the skills that will enable him to bring his learning to bear upon the lives of people.
by Kevin T. Bauder
Seminaries are academic institutions. Consequently, they tend to celebrate academic attainment. Typically, the best students are thought to be the ones with the highest grade point averages. Since these students have written the best papers and scored highest on the exams, they are sometimes considered the best prepared for ministry.
by Kevin T. Bauder
The work of missions is the work of planting churches. This assertion is supported by the uniform pattern of the New Testament. When the churches of the New Testament commissioned and sent out a member, it was invariably either to plant churches or to assist someone who was planting churches.
by Kevin T. Bauder
Historic Baptists agree that the work of missions is the work of planting churches. They derive this conviction from the uniform pattern of the New Testament. When the churches of the New Testament commissioned and sent out a member, it was invariably either to plant churches or to assist someone who was planting churches.
by Kevin T. Bauder
The pastor who wants to lead his church wisely in the area of missions will find that he is confronted with a bit of a conundrum. On the one hand, the work of missions grows out of the local church, and each missionary is ultimately accountable to his sending church. On the other hand, few local churches are in the position to closely supervise the work of any particular missionary on any particular field.
by Kevin T. Bauder
The work of missions centers upon the local church. Properly, missionaries are sent out by local churches. Once sent, they are accountable to their sending and supporting churches. Their responsibility is the work of establishing indigenous, self-perpetuating local churches. The local church is indeed the center of missionary enterprise.
Read Part 1.
by Jeff Straub
The church has no greater task than world evangelism. God has given churches the opportunity to partner with Him in this endeavor. If the pastor has no burden, however, then neither will the congregation. Conversely, if the shepherd’s heart is aflame for the task, then the hearts of his flock will catch fire, and they will become a church with a vision for the world.
