“My church seems to have no heart for missions. What can I do?” I have been asked this many times. This author is not an expert, but as an eyewitness I can share some of what I have learned in the past fifty years of missions engagement. The short answer has three movements: cultivate the heart, unveil the glory, and bare the basis.
Cultivate the heart
A heart for missions starts first with a heart for God. Unless there is a heart for God, there can be no heart for His mission on earth. Worse: without a heart for God, people may perform dead works using His name, calling it “missions” while confusing people inside and outside the church about God’s mission. We address this by intentionally teaching God’s word in ways that reveal His heart for the world and His mission in it. (Proverbs 4:23; Jeremiah 9:23-24; John 17:3; 1 John 4:20)
Unveil the glory
2 Corinthians 3 and 4 show us that what is hidden from people is the light of the knowledge of the glory of God. The answer is to unveil the glory of God through the teaching of His written word so that people can respond in faith — believing God. Momentum comes from unveiling God’s glory, so teach people as early as possible. (2 Corinthians 4:3-7)
Bare the basis
Faith comes by hearing the word of God, which is spoken by messengers who are sent. (Romans 10:13-17) People cannot act by faith on information they have never heard. Jesus is the proper object of our faith both for salvation and for the work we do on earth — and believers cannot act by faith in Him if they do not know what He wants done, or where. Show your church the Bible basis of missions, the state of the world, and the paths to engage.
Unless there is a heart for God, there can be no heart for His mission on earth.
Go deeper
- Whose Glory? — the momentum question in full.
- The Bible Basis of Missions — with the foundational teaching library.
- Equip — empowering leaders, committees, families, children, and friends.
- Church Leaders — the culture-setting questions.