In the first article, “How shall they preach, except they be sent?” we looked at the biblical basis and motivation for sending people out. It comes from a burden for the lost, and it flows from God’s heart. In “Serving as Senders” we saw some practical aspects: how members of the church body can join together to serve and support those they send out. Each person doing his part works together for the cause.

Here we want to examine another component: how to carry this out. Not every church needs a mission board, but every church, if it is a vibrant church, will have an outreach ministry. The focus of this outreach may vary from church to church but nevertheless, it must have a vision, “for without a vision the people perish.” The principles that follow can be applied to any work of outreach, but in this article we have in mind the establishing of churches among unreached people groups.

When a Vision Unfolds

George Miley wrote an excellent article that sums up the idea we want to convey. He says:

“Churches who push on toward fruitful church planting do one of two things regarding structure. They form a new mission organizational structure, rooted in and springing forth from the shared life of the body of believers. Such structures are bonded to the church relationally, and serve as easy avenues for the expression of the spiritual gifts and vocational expertise of the members. Or, a church develops a vital partnership with an experienced mission agency. In either case, some organizational entity serves as a conduit for the release of the group’s vision, energy and capacity.” (George Miley, “The Awesome Potential for Mission Found in Local Churches,” Antioch Network, Peoria, AZ.)

Many churches in the western world send their missionaries out through a mission organization. These mission organizations may serve a particular denomination or some broader church body. They serve as a channel for the many local churches affiliated with them. The churches send their missionaries to this agency and the agency basically takes responsibility to assign them and oversee them. The home church sends support and prays for its missionary. The vision is often more that of the mission group than the sending church.

However we want to look at the first one above, where the vision is part and parcel of the local church. As stated above, a church with a vision to plant other churches is not apt to delegate this to another. They know the dynamic that goes with hands-on involvement. These will seek to form an operational mission structure within the local church body. This assumes the body is large enough and mature enough to do this and has strong leadership and vision.

Run With the Vision

A vision for the unreached still inspires dreams. When a man or a church catches God’s heart in this, they will seek God and pursue it until it becomes a reality. They are not afraid to launch a new effort to fulfill it.

A strong outreach needs a strong leader, one who can articulate his vision and draw others alongside to reach it. This leader understands people, comprehends the task, and knows what it takes to get the job done. Many a church and many a mission have risen or fallen through the influence of a leader. As we study the great movements of the past, we will inadvertently find a dedicated leader at the helm: one willing to sacrifice for his vision.

George Miley further states:

“Mission to unreached peoples requires apostolic structures. Local churches are primarily pastoral structures. The local church is designed to nourish its members. Its focus is on protection, continuity, avoiding risks and bringing its members to spiritual maturity. An apostolic structure is designed to carry out the mission of extending the Kingdom. It focuses on initiation, plans on taking risks and perseveres against great odds.”

Bring these two forces together in a local church and you have a dynamic team! The shepherding, nurturing, caring ministry along with the visionary “let’s get out and do it” call. The one is relational; the other is task-oriented. To be the healthy body God meant it to be, the local fellowship needs both. The Great Commission in Matthew 28 reveals the same principle. “Going” to the nations is task- (goal) oriented; “making disciples” focuses on the relational (people).

A local church can do this without a mission board or missions committee. But it must have a good grasp of these two aspects and know how to make them work together to involve others to move ahead.

When Structure Is Needed

The book of Acts gives us examples of brothers working together to spread the gospel. When the details of the work overwhelmed the leading brethren, they chose men of good reputation and full of the Spirit and of wisdom to put in charge of some tasks (Acts 6).

A smaller church with a few missionaries can probably take care of the needed details at their monthly brothers’ meeting. But as the work grows and requires more time, it curtails the discussion of other topics. By this stage of development the church should have a good sense of direction with their mission work. Where there is trust and unity, things can be delegated to a few people to do outside the meeting. They report back to the meeting as needed.

This committee or board now receives overall direction from the church body, but it looks after the operations. It functions under the authority of the body and serves as a steward of the work. The size of the mission board will vary depending on the number of men who carry the vision and by the variety and quantity of tasks to be done.

Just as a church needs both the relational and task-oriented gifts, so a mission board should bring together visionaries and detail people. When the right mix of gifts operates under the direction of the Holy Spirit, the work will get done and the church will be motivated to keep the vision.

Management

As a movement grows up around leaders and a cause, and more people become part of the organization, they pick up tasks and help carry the responsibilities. Their efforts collectively generate momentum and, in turn, more can be accomplished. In fact, people get excited and the creative juices flow. As we write this, many little groups, not part of any mission board, are preparing for our upcoming Missions Conference. They are putting together display tables, making models, drawing and doing artwork, organizing workshops, sorting pictures, and editing video clips—all to communicate a mission’s vision to draw in yet more who will dedicate themselves to the cause!

Herein is an important key: God has placed the gift of “ruler” in the body of Christ (Romans 12:8). By definition this is one who leads; he presides over or manages. The business world talks about management. Successful businesses know that good management is a strategic part of making it all work smoothly and effectively. God also is honored when everything is done decently and in order. He will raise up men to serve in this capacity.

A Word About Policies

Over time a mission board will have to deal with requests and problems. Some of these will center on finances and the handling of money. This requires guidelines on how to request money or get approval before a purchase is made at home or on the field.

Sometimes mistakes happen in strategy or in relating to nationals. As a mission board, we give direction and a caution because we don’t want to repeat them. As more people join the mission and there are changes in personnel, we cover this during orientation. This becomes part of our “corporate history” and is best written down in an organized format.

Even unanticipated events must be considered. What if a missionary or visitor dies on the foreign field? Bringing home a dead body across international boundaries can be a nightmare and the procedures very costly. So we have our workers sign a statement before they leave that gives permission to be buried in foreign soil should this occur.

Conclusion

The mission board then is composed of brothers of like vision and a passion for missions. It will by necessity require men who are leaders, who are able to promote and keep the vision in front of others. It will also draw in men with practical gifts and skills to handle tasks and manage the day-to-day details. The mission board serves as a liaison between the larger church body and the mission personnel on the field.

We want to encourage smaller churches or those considering sending out their own missionaries. It can be done. There is help available. Search it out and know your calling and vision. As a burden grows over time, it will spring forth and bud into a ministry. In the meantime, consider sending some of your number with another like-minded mission to gain experience. This is part of vision building. God will surely use it to stimulate your church fellowship as you stand behind those you send out.

Some reading this are farther along in the process. Press on. “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Cor. 2:9).