The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum What is a missionary work

It seems as if today we are calling a lot of ministries 'missionary work', but I wonder if we are truly downplaying the missionary. Do college ministries, soup kitchens, rescue missions, even church youth ministries really do count as missionary work. Maybe college ministries and church planting could be counted as I somewhat think that all missionary work should be that of planting churches. I'm just not sure in how it is done in America is missionary work. Also, what about missionaries who have served in the field for many years, but not back in the home offices. The majority of my church missionaries fall in that category as we started supporting them in the early 80s and still support them now when they are back at the home office.

Missionary work is the proclamation of the gospel.... period. There is no specific command to "plant churches". However, IF there is a genuine interest among those who have heard the gospel and responded in a genuine repentance and faith, then the planting of a church would certainly be encouraged.

The Western World is the largest missionary field in existence at this time. There is much religiosity and/or spirituality and churches which are unbiblical despite their outward appearance. Thus, doing missionary work in one's own country is certainly legitimate.

Lastly, supporting missionaries whose work has not been fruitful should be required to move on and do their gospel work in another area. This is undeniably the precedent set by the apostles and disciples in Scripture. Let me add that missionaries need to be closely scrutinized particularly in their methods and message. Far too many are not using bibilically established standards. Consequently, because $$$$$$$$$$ is typically dependent upon the number of alleged converts, all forms of false methods and false gospel preaching is adopted in order to "win souls" by missionaries in order to retain their "job". Due to the current horrid state of the modern church, false conversions are the norm across denominational lines.