In the context of the Christian faith, the term “missions-minded” refers to the focus and dedication of a church toward advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ across cultural, geographical, and social boundaries. Being missions-minded means that a church not only looks inward at its own community but also outward to the broader world, embracing the biblical mandate to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). However, what does it really mean for a church to be missions-minded? How can this mindset be identified, and what evidence does it leave behind?

A Biblical Foundation for Being Missions-Minded

To understand what it means for a church to be missions-minded, it is essential to start with the scriptural foundation. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20 is the cornerstone of the Christian mission. Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples were clear: go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything He commanded. This commission is not a suggestion but a command to spread the message of salvation globally.

Additionally, Acts 1:8 emphasizes that the gospel should be taken from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. This geographic expansion in the book of Acts is reflective of the gospel’s universal reach. A missions-minded church, therefore, understands its role not just to serve its local congregation but also to extend the gospel’s message beyond its walls to other communities and nations.

What Does It Mean to Be Missions-Minded?

A missions-minded church is characterized by a deep commitment to fulfilling the Great Commission. It prioritizes outreach and evangelism not only within its local context but also beyond its borders. This mindset reflects a church’s belief that God has called it to participate in His redemptive plan for the world. While every church should be missions-minded, the degree to which this commitment is visible can vary. A truly missions-minded church goes beyond a mere acknowledgment of missions and engages in tangible actions to fulfill the biblical mandate.

Being missions-minded doesn’t necessarily mean that a church is involved in sending missionaries overseas. Rather, it signifies a lifestyle that supports the spread of the gospel through various means, including prayer, giving, sending, and going. The essence of being missions-minded is in the heart of the church—its people are committed to living out the mission of God in their everyday lives and are actively engaged in fulfilling the Great Commission.

Evidence of a Missions-Minded Church

Evidence of a missions-minded church is often seen in the church’s actions, priorities, and culture. It isn’t something that can be easily quantified, but certain tangible markers provide insight into whether a church is truly missions-minded.

1. A Global and Local Outreach Focus

One of the clearest pieces of evidence of a missions-minded church is its outreach efforts, both local and global. This can be seen in the church’s programs, partnerships, and financial support of missions.

• Local Outreach: A missions-minded church will have initiatives that reach out to its immediate community, whether through evangelism, social justice ministries, or meeting practical needs. These efforts reflect the church’s commitment to embodying the love of Christ to those nearby. It might include food drives, outreach to homeless populations, or after-school programs. A strong focus on local outreach ensures that the church’s mission begins in its own backyard.
• Global Outreach: The global focus of a missions-minded church is evidenced by its involvement in international missions. This could be through sending short-term or long-term missionaries, supporting foreign ministries, or participating in mission trips that aim to spread the gospel in underserved regions. A church may also sponsor or partner with organizations involved in missions work globally, such as supporting orphanages, schools, or church planting movements in other countries.

2. Financial Investment in Missions

A missions-minded church puts its money where its mission is. Financial support for missions—both locally and globally—is a key indicator of a church’s commitment to advancing the gospel. This could take the form of regular offerings or specific missions funds that are set aside for outreach efforts. A church that is truly missions-minded will prioritize missions in its budget, ensuring that resources are allocated to both local and international missions projects.

For example, a church might give a percentage of its income to missionary work or dedicate special offerings to fund specific projects. Churches might also fund training for missionaries or provide resources for their long-term sustainability in mission fields. This investment demonstrates a deep commitment to the Great Commission and a recognition that financial support is a vital part of missions work.

3. Missionary Support

Another hallmark of a missions-minded church is the active support of missionaries. This support can be prayer, financial assistance, or both. The church may have a team of people who are dedicated to communicating with missionaries on the field, learning about their needs, and providing spiritual and emotional support.

Missionaries are the hands and feet of the church in distant lands, and a missions-minded church sees them as partners in the Great Commission. This church will often send regular updates about its supported missionaries to the congregation, encouraging the church family to engage in praying for them and staying connected.

4. Training and Sending Missionaries

A critical aspect of a missions-minded church is its intentional effort to raise up, equip, and send missionaries. This could involve a variety of training programs, from theological education to practical skills for living cross-culturally. Churches that are missions-minded will often offer specialized classes or workshops on missions, cross-cultural communication, and how to be involved in global ministry.

Equipping people for missions isn’t just about sending professionals; it’s about creating a culture where everyone is encouraged to think about their role in God’s global mission. Some churches provide internships or mission training programs for young adults, encouraging them to serve in various international contexts.

5. Missions in the Church’s Culture

Perhaps the most telling evidence of a missions-minded church is the culture of the congregation itself. A church that is missions-minded will talk about missions regularly—whether in sermons, Bible studies, or prayer meetings. There will be a consistent message from the pulpit about God’s call to spread the gospel to the ends of the earth. It will be embedded in the language and life of the church.

A church that is missions-minded will also emphasize prayer for the lost, not only in the local community but globally. The church will pray regularly for missionaries and for the advancement of the gospel in areas that are unreached or where the gospel is suppressed.

The congregation’s members may also engage in informal conversations about how to live missionally in their everyday lives. In a missions-minded church, people are encouraged to see their workplace, school, and neighborhood as mission fields. There is a sense that every member of the body has a part to play in God’s mission to the world.

Evidence of Impact: What Does a Missions-Minded Church Achieve?

This article was also published on Mission Outreach Journal.

Being missions-minded is not only about activities but about results—both in terms of reaching people with the gospel and growing in the faith. Evidence of a missions-minded church is also seen in the impact it has on individuals and communities.

1. Lives Changed Locally and Globally

The ultimate evidence of a missions-minded church is the transformation of lives—both locally and globally. When the church is intentional about outreach and missions, the result is people coming to faith in Christ and growing in their understanding of God’s Word.

A church that is missions-minded will also have a vibrant discipleship culture, where those who accept Christ are not only converted but are nurtured in their faith through teaching, fellowship, and accountability. The work of the church in spreading the gospel will bear fruit in transformed communities, whether in their own city or in far-flung regions.

2. Church Growth and Expansion

When a church is missions-minded, it is likely to experience growth—both in terms of numbers and spiritual depth. A church focused on mission reaches people who need to hear the gospel. It also helps existing members grow in their own faith, leading to greater discipleship, commitment, and service.

Additionally, a missions-minded church will often seek to plant new churches—whether in underserved local neighborhoods or in places where the gospel has yet to take root. Church planting is a direct outgrowth of the church’s global vision and a key way to multiply its impact.

3. Building Partnerships in the Global Church

A missions-minded church understands that the work of missions is a collaborative effort, not a solitary one. By partnering with other churches, organizations, and individuals, a missions-minded church can pool resources, share expertise, and expand its reach. These partnerships help to multiply the church’s impact and contribute to the growth of the global church.

Final Thoughts

For a church to be missions-minded means much more than just acknowledging the Great Commission. It means actively engaging in the mission of God through local and global outreach, financial support, training, and sending missionaries. The evidence of being missions-minded is found in the church’s focus on evangelism, the investment in resources for outreach, and the partnerships it builds with the global body of Christ.

Ultimately, a missions-minded church is one that sees itself as part of God’s larger plan to redeem the world and is committed to fulfilling its role in this mission, both at home and abroad. It is a church that doesn’t just talk about missions but actively participates in it, with the impact of its efforts evidenced by transformed lives and communities, both locally and globally.