Mission Affirmed: Recovering the Missionary Motivation of Paul
Digital Verbum Edition
Overview
As a model for Christian missions, the apostle Paul is praised for his sense of urgency when proclaiming the gospel, but are modern churches missing his broader motivation? Paul didn’t view missions as simply accomplishing a goal; he valued affirmation from God, seeking it fervently in every area of his ministry. How can churches today emulate that ambition in their own mission efforts?
In Mission Affirmed, author and missionary Elliot Clark seeks to shift the focus of ministries from mere efficiency to Christ-centered service that prioritizes the will and approval of God. By studying Paul’s ministry, particularly in 2 Corinthians, readers learn that his motivation wasn’t dependent on circumstances but on the Spirit, helping him remain faithful despite suffering and setbacks. This book equips local churches in the same way as they send missionaries into the field, serving together and stewarding the gospel in pursuit of God’s praise.
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- Examines Paul’s ministry
- Equips local churches in the same way as they send missionaries into the field
- Shifts the focus of ministries from mere efficiency to Christ-centered service
- Introduction: More than Mission Accomplished
- Seeking God’s Approval
- Suffering with Christ
- Sending and Being Sent
- Seeing the Invisible
- Speaking the Truth Sincerely
- Setting Boundaries
- Sacrificing Like the Savior
- Serving Christ and Stewarding the Gospel
- Conclusion
- Appendix: Questions for Churches to Ask a Missionary Candidate
Top Highlights
“If we steward Christ’s gospel and the church’s resources yet end up with nothing to show for it, God is not honored. Nor will we be.” (Page 24)
“In missions, we recruit missionaries with urgency, not toward longevity. We tend to go fast, or we don’t go at all. We invest untold material and personnel resources to help others in the short term but do so in ways that often hurt them in the long run. We start countless programs and projects, only to watch many fizzle out and die. While our missionary mantra of late has been ‘Work yourself out of a job,’ one has to wonder if a more appropriate goal would be, ‘Build something that lasts.’” (Page 21)
“At such a time as this, we don’t necessarily need more impassioned pleas about opportunity and urgency. While those are important, I’m convinced that what we desperately need are voices of discernment, calls for wise investment, and plans for better building.” (Page 25)
“In Luke’s Gospel alone there are over forty promises of reward or warnings of judgment based on an individual’s works.” (Page 28)
“Because, as Ripken learned, it’s not enough to listen to national believers. You need to need them” (Page 103)