Christian Missions in the Third Millennium
August 12, 2009 – 10:46 amAl Mohler released a good word on the future of the Christian missions endeavor in the third millennium. He touches on a few key elements to the success of gospel ministry worldwide:
- a God-glorifying purpose
- ministry emphasis on preaching the gospel, not Westernizing cultures
- strategically targeting people-groups, not simply nations at large
- congregational and individual involvement in missions
- emphasis upon the gospel priority of the 10/40 window
In addition to these ideas, Mohler presents the need for the rising generation to catch a pioneer vision and take the gospel to still-unreached places and peoples. He calls for a careful temperament of their zeal for “doing missions” on the anvil of doctrinal/theological training:
Over the past half-century, America has seen several generational transitions. As the new millennium dawns, the Baby Boom generation is now in mid-adulthood, and some are heading toward retirement. The GI generation that built so many of the great institutions and provided leadership in our denomination and churches is now reaching advanced years, though many in this generation continue to be active participants and well-known leaders. Behind the Baby Boomers are coming “Generation X,” the “Busters,” and the “Millennials.” How will these generations mold the missionary movement of the future?
This generation demonstrates a readiness to take on new challenges and to go where no previous generation has yet taken the gospel. They have been born into a culturally diverse world, and they are gifted with skills in intercultural communication. They are impatient with the cultural isolationism of previous generations. They see no political boundaries to the Gospel. They are ready to cross political borders and see no limitations on the Great Commission. Where previous generations wanted to support missions, this generation is determined to do missions. Incubated in an experience-driven culture, these young Christians are not interested in missions by proxy.
This new generation holds great promise, but it also demands urgent attention. The church needs to mobilize the energy of these younger Christians and deploy their gifts in cultural translation and adaptation. Nevertheless, this generation has inherited a dwindling deposit of doctrinal and theological understanding. Our churches and seminaries must quickly be about the business of grounding this generation in biblical truth, even as they are mobilizing for world missions.
In all likelihood, these new generations will establish a missiological pattern of long duration. We may well see a tidal wave of participatory missions unlike anything seen by the Christian church since the first century. Finally, it is up to the church both to release their energy and to ground their convictions.
Dr. Mohler concludes by making the connection between the church’s missions focus and the overall health of the church:
Our vision for world evangelization is an important barometer of spiritual and theological health. A vibrant commitment to Christ leads to a passion for the Gospel. A grand embrace of God’s truth produces an enthusiasm to see God glorified as His name is proclaimed to the nations. It is time for a new generation to lead–and to point the way.
HT: 4BYA
