Introduction to Missiology

Ch.20-Missionary Call and Service

By William E. Goff

The General Call to Christian Service

Based on recognizing God’s gifting of us for service to othersBased on obedience to the mandate to disciple the nations.We are generally called to obediently join God in His work as he invites us, equips us and sets us apart.

Spiritual Gifts and A Missionary Call

“There is close harmony between God’s call and the spiritual gifts he gives his people.”

God equips us for the task to which he calls us

Apostleship andA Missionary Call

Literally – “the ones who are sent”Paul was sent to disciple people of all nationsApostolic role extends beyond the original “Apostles” – Eph.4:11, I Cor.12:28

As a gift and vocationTo complete the Great Commission

Best to understand it today as the gifting, call, and vocation to take the gospel cross-culturally resulting in disciples and new churches

God’s Sovereign Will andA Missionary Call

“The call of God is not the echo of my nature, but expresses God’s nature. It is a call I cannot hear as long as I consider my personality or temperament. But as soon as I am brought into the condition Isaiah was in (Is.6:8), I am in a relationship to God whereby I can hear his call.” – Oswald ChambersAll believers are called to serve the will of God – which is that every nation, tribe, and tongue be represented among the people of GodSome believers are called to cross-cultures to see this occur

The Process of Confirmation

Preparation to hear God’s callA godly homeThe desire to be usedExperiences as a short-term volunteerInfluence of religious leaders

A sense of God at work in the worldAwakening to the importance of obeying God’s will – Rom.12:1Sensitivity to the leading of the Holy SpiritGrowing awareness of the lostness of the world without ChristThe confirmation of other believers as we declare the call

Missionary Service and Lifestyle

An incarnational witnessTo give up the perks of position, heritage, education, and resourcesTo live among them as a peer

A servant’s heartActing for the good of the peopleActing without the demand for recognition or creditTrusting God for the results

A commitment to indigenaityUsing models an methods that suit the culturePlacing a priority on leadership development over short-term results

Culture Shock

Def: “the reaction experienced when confronted suddenly with living conditions, social customs, language, food and geography radically different from those of one’s customary or habitual lifestyle, presumably of ones national origin.”Key sources are different fundamental beliefs regarding

Time, whether used precisely or looselyCommunity, especially communal patterns of decision-making

Keys to copingA servant’s heartClose friendships with nationals and other missionaries

Relationships on the Field

Missionaries tend to begin with self-contained strategiesNetworking with other workers and local churches is usually an important key to long-term effectivenessBoth sets of relationships exert strong influence on the strategy and methodology of the missionary, and demand cooperative labor for the good of each other