The apostle Paul is one of the greatest missionary
examples in Christianity apart from Christ himself. His missionary journey took
him on a course to bring the gospel to the gentiles as he embarked on many
mission trips. There are many characteristics of Paul’s missionary methods, but
we will examine five.
1. Paul
is Committed to Introducing the Gospel
The first characteristic ascribed to Paul’s missionary
methods was his commitment to introducing the gospel to people in regions where
it has not been heard.[1] It was Paul’s goal and
heart to reach those for the sake of Christ Jesus. Glasser states that “Paul
was determined to see the church grow” and “regarded it her chief and
irreplaceable task: to preach the gospel to all mankind and to incorporate all
those who believed into her communal life.”[2] Today, this method must be
the foundation on reaching the lost. It currently remains within the scope of
church ministry – a calling placed on one’s life. Without commitment and a calling
– the mission will fail.
2. Duration
of Paul’s Ministry
Paul’s
duration at any one point is the second missionary method he used. According to
Moreau, “the maximum duration Paul remained at a single location was less than
three years.”[3]
Paul, as mentioned earlier, was determined to see the church grow and therefore
planted the church and moved on in his journey. Paul had every opportunity to
stay and remain the church pastor but instead his calling and commitment was
the driving forces that pushed him on.
3. Paul’s
Focus on Church Planting
While Paul preached the gospel and proclaimed Jesus as
Lord, his focus was on gathering people together within a congregation and
moving on to the next. After Paul had left the churches he planted, he expected
them to stand independently on their own feet – apart from his own.[4] Once he established the
church and stability reached, he moved on to his next assignment.
4. Paul
works as a Team
As the
church today, sends out missionaries and supports missionary works, so the
beginning of this method was derived from the characteristics of Paul’s
methods. Paul was considered a leader of a team of people. His teams recruited
and trained their own members, were financially self-sufficient, and on
occasion, disciplined their own members.[5] This was important in
establishing and building a union of support for the missionary work that
ensued. Working in a team during the time of Paul was also important because of
dangers when traveling alone. Moreau states, “Traveling in groups was one of
the best ways to ensure safety.”[6]
5. Paul
Accepts Persecution
Paul warned
the church of persecutions, which he eventually experienced himself. This
however, did not stop the mission set forth by Christ Jesus. Paul was beaten
(Acts 16:22), imprisoned (Acts 16:16-40), and eventually killed for his
missionary work of proclaiming he gospel. These realities are implemented even
today. According to Moreau, “more Christians are martyred in the twentieth
century than in all previous centuries combined stands as a stark reminder that
what Paul said twenty centuries ago still applies in many parts of the world
today.”[7]
There are
many other characteristics of Paul’s missionary methods, but for me, these five
are important in understanding and applying to mission. Paul gives us an
example to model after and even though these methods were used many centuries
ago, they are still vital in the church today.
References
"The
Apostle Paul and the Missionary Task." In Perspectives on the World
Christian Movement: A Reader, edited by Ralph D. Winter and Steven C.
Hawthorne, by Arthur F. Glasser, 149-153. Fourth ed. Pasadena,, Calif.: William
Carey Library, 1981.
Moreau
et al., Introducing World Missions: A Biblical, Historical, and Practical
Survey. Grand Rapids, Mich: Baker Academic, 2004
[2] "The Apostle Paul and the Missionary Task." In Perspectives
on the World Christian Movement: A Reader, edited by Ralph D. Winter and
Steven C. Hawthorne, by Arthur F. Glasser, Fourth ed. Pasadena,, Calif.:
William Carey Library, 1981. 151
[3] Scott A. Moreau, Gary Corwin, and Gary McGee. Introducing
World Missions: A Biblical, Historical, and Practical Survey. 61
[4] Ibid., 63
[6]
Scott A. Moreau, 64
[7] Ibid.,
65
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