New Issue of 'Unfinished' Offers Vision for Helping Churches Reach World

Contact: Ty Mays, 770-256-8710

NORCROSS, Ga., Nov. 9 /Christian Newswire/ -- The notion that churches, not mission agencies, are God's primary mission agents in the world flies in the face of two centuries of conventional wisdom. In the current issue of "Unfinished," The Mission Society's quarterly publication, two of its leaders explain how the ministry's workshops assist local churches to become more strategic, significant and skilled in their outreach.

To read the feature article "Role Reversal" by The Mission Society President Dick McClain and Senior Director for Church Ministry Stan Self, and to sign up for a free subscription to "Unfinished," visit www.themissionsociety.org.  

During a church Global Outreach Weekend, Self explains, a team from The Mission Society teaches the biblical foundations for missions and lays out key strategies for how the local church or individual believer can be on mission with God. "Then we add helps to aid a congregation or individual in the process of living that out," Self says.

The first event is called a "catalytic event," meaning that, based on the knowledge gained, there is a path or process by which to change -- in this case, to change the way that church does missions, he says. "We say churches ought to be strategic and significant in what they do. And to do that, you have to seek the face and mind of God."

A common theme found in many congregations, McClain says, is that churches may raise money for a spectrum of projects, yet are left to wonder whether they're really making a difference. "But that becomes for us an entry point to a conversation," he says. "Any one of those entry points allow us to offer some practical strategies" for mobilizing the church in missions.

The fall issue of "Unfinished" offers case studies and examples of churches that have been successful in missions; models for successful mission ministries; practical tips to help churches get to know their missionaries; and tips for developing a mission plan.

More than 10 years ago, The Mission Society formed its Church Ministry department to serve local churches in the United States by helping them fulfill their own distinct calling in the world. The Mission Society offers workshops, seminars, and mentoring, as detailed in the current issue of the magazine. Congregations may request The Mission Society to visit their church and facilitate the Global Outreach Weekend seminar or various workshops and seminars on cross-cultural mission work. The sole cost to the church is travel for workshop presenters.

The Mission Society also trains other mission agencies on its Global Outreach Seminar curriculum. To date, the curriculum has been passed on to six U.S. mission agencies, translated into five other languages and taught in six countries.

The son and grandson of missionaries, McClain was born in China and grew up in India and Hong Kong. Prior to joining the staff of The Mission Society in 1986, he served in a church in the Panama Canal Zone. Self, who joined The Mission Society after 37 years as a manager with BellSouth, directs the ministry's church mobilization efforts, assisting local congregations in becoming strategically engaged in reaching the world for Christ. 
 
Founded in 1984 in the Wesleyan tradition, The Mission Society recruits, trains and sends Christian missionaries to minister around the world. At present, it has more than 200 missionaries in 38 countries. The Mission Society develops diverse programs and ministries in accordance with its missionaries' unique callings and gifts, ranging from well-drilling and the arts to more traditional ministries such as teaching English and church planting. Its church ministry department provides seminars, workshops, and mentoring for congregations in the United States and overseas, helping equip churches for strategic outreach in their own communities and throughout the world.

To schedule an interview with Self, the Rev. McClain or another staff member of The Mission Society, contact Ty Mays at 770-256-8710 or tmays@inchristcommunications.com.