bits from bob....

What is Your Missions Philosophy?

by Robert J. Young
©, 2001, Robert J. Young
[permission is given to reprint with credit noted]

Every church involved in missions operates by some philosophy. That philosophy may or may not be studied, carefully thought, fervently prayed, but it exists nonetheless. That philosophy may be influenced by both bad and good motivations, by both true and false ideas.

Dan Hardin describes three philosophies in his book Mission: A Practical Approach. One approach see missions primarily as helping meet people's physical needs in this world--feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, liberating the politically oppressed. A second approach believes that as long as Christians exist in a certain location, missions is carried out by their presence and example. A final philosophy, the one that Hardin upholds as biblical and legitimate, is an understanding of missions that "emphasizes winning souls, discipling, baptizing, church planting and nurturing." The following "indigenous church principles" help identify the main ideas of this philosophy.

An indigenous church is one that is "self-governing, self-supporting, and self-propagating."


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Last updated December 2, 2001.