Missions Resources Archives - TEAM Christian Missions Blog

Missions Vocabulary 101

Learn the language of missions with this quick reference glossary.

Jul 28 2022

If you’re just beginning to explore what it means to be a missionary, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by words and phrases in the “language” of missions. Some terms are used the same way across various missions agencies and audiences, while others are specific to a given mission organization. So what does it all mean? Here’s a quick and easy guide to “Missions Vocabulary 101” to bring you right up to speed with the latest in missions lingo. Key Terms in the “World” of Missions Of course, we can’t speak for every partner in the international missions community, but…

When it comes to finding the best books on missions, there’s no one better to ask than actual missionaries!

Jun 17 2021

There are almost endless books on Christian missions to read. Rather than try to identify the best, we decided to ask missionaries for their favorites. This list is a perfect mix of memoir, faith-building insights and cultural education. And they’ve all proven themselves invaluable to missionaries around the world. Check out the list, and then be sure to share your favorite books on missions in the comments! Have We No Rights? by Mabel Williamson Recommended by Amie Bockstahler, missionary to Guatemala Demanding your rights is a treasured American pastime. But is it compatible with the mission field? That’s the question…

Creating powerful missionary update videos is easier than you think. You just need a few simple tools and strategies.

May 27 2021

Missionaries have sent written letters to supporters from day one (think Paul). But today, missionaries have exponentially more outlets and mediums to share their stories, and video should be near the top of that list. As TEAM’s multimedia video producer, I constantly see the power of video help missionaries engage supporters and share God’s incredible work. Using video from the early fundraising process through your time on the mission field will help your supporters, friends and family better visualize what your life and ministry looks like on a day to day basis. And when people can better understand your ministry,…

We’ve focused so much on church planting teams and strategies that we’ve forgotten what church planting is really all about: conversions.

Apr 20 2021

Many contemporary church-planting ministries are conceived much like a business. The model centers on administrative, gifted leadership that guides already-committed Christians to organize the birth of a new church. But can I be bold and say this isn‘t a true “birth,“ but rather a reorganization of believers from one location to another? Therein lies the crisis of contemporary church planting in the Western world: organizing churches without birthing them. See if this sounds familiar: A called and gifted leader inspires other Christians to start a new church. They meet regularly to pray, plan and lay out a strategy they’ll use…

Moving abroad can reveal a side of yourself you didn’t know. The Enneagram can help you process what’s happening and submit it more fully to Christ.

Oct 26 2020

I don’t even recognize myself anymore, Christine thought to herself. Have I changed this much? Christine knew that she was going through an intensely stressful season of life — starting a new business with her new husband, while navigating a new culture and new language in a new country. She’d been preparing for the external upheaval. But what she didn’t expect was the upheaval she saw in herself. Some of her actions and thoughts surprised and disturbed her: Anger at her circumstances, and her excessive attempts to control them. Difficulty in expressing her feelings and needs. Frustration at her limited…

Why I Need Other Cultures on My Church Planting Team

Every church planter has cultural blind spots. One of the best ways to find them is working with fellow believers from a variety of cultures.

Oct 19 2020

I’m not sure if you know this, but you have a culture — and not all of it reflects God’s Kingdom values. Shocking, I know. This may not be an entirely new idea to you, but let me push it a bit further. Not all of the cultural convictions that you think reflect God’s Kingdom values actually reflect God’s Kingdom values. In other words, you and I have values we think are rooted in Gospel principles — but are actually, mostly, born from our cultures. There is some irony here for missionaries because many are great at spotting this in their…

Missions is a complex topic, but the most important thing is actually quite simple. And getting this right will impact everything we do on the field.

Sep 04 2020

With each generation, the Church learns (and forgets) vital factors of success in missions. We want to lead ministries that are authentic, culturally sensitive, holistic in care, empowering to local believers, effective in planting churches — the list goes on and on. All of these are important things, worthy of deep, rich discussion. But what is the most important thing in Christian mission work? The answer is simple: Jesus. As cliché as it sounds, Jesus really is the most important part of mission work. He’s at the center of it all, He’s the reason for it all, and He’s the…

Ask: What is the biblical basis for missions?

Jul 13 2020

Before we jump into the biblical basis for Christian missions, we need to make sure we’re working with the same definitions. First, let’s define the term “Christian missions” as the task of spreading the Good News of Jesus to all people everywhere. Second, we’ll define “biblical basis” as evidence in the Bible that God wants us to do or believe something. It’s not enough for an act to simply be found in the Bible. We need to see that the act has God’s endorsement. With these definitions, God’s call to global evangelism can be found from Genesis to Revelation….

Money and face mask to illustrate raising missionary support during COVID-19

Raising missionary support is intimidating enough under normal circumstances. What do you need to know about doing during COVID-19? Photo by Bermix Studio.

Jul 08 2020

Support raising is one of the most daunting parts of becoming a missionary — especially during an economic downturn. But according to TEAM stewardship coach Jennifer Nickels, it doesn’t have to be. With the right perspective, she says, raising missionary support can actually be a blessing. We sat down with Nickels to find out how to view support raising as a ministry and do it successfully in the midst of a global crisis. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. Raising support is often one of the most intimidating parts of becoming a missionary. Why do you think…

Loving my black neighbor means taking the initiative to befriend, listen, understand and lament — and then stand with them."

Jun 19 2020

The tragic and senseless killing of George Floyd is another painful reminder that there remains much to be done here in America around issues of racism, both personal and systemic. His death reminds us of a wound in America that has not yet healed. It is a wound about which we find it difficult to talk, not only in society at large but also within the Church. Does the Scripture have anything to say to us in these days? Are there starting points for us? There are many. I will only point to one here and now. A religious…

Category - Missions Resources

Missions Vocabulary 101

Missionaries’ Favorite Books on Missions

How to Wow Your Supporters with Video Updates

Why True Church Planting Must Start with Conversion

The Enneagram for Missionaries: Tips for Overseas Life

Why I Need Other Cultures on My Church Planting Team

Ask TEAM: What is the Most Important Thing in Christian Mission Work?

Ask TEAM: What is the Biblical Basis for Christian Missions?

How to Raise Missionary Support During COVID-19

Who Is My Neighbor?: On Race, Justice and the Way of Jesus