By David Wright
“The entire offering will be given to a mission?” That was a question asked during our elders’ meeting as The Creek was nearing the completion of our new sanctuary in 2002. The question was only for clarification, it was not asked in opposition. But, as a relatively new elder, this decision firmly illustrated to me the importance our leadership placed upon the support of missions at Indian Creek Christian Church (Indianapolis, Indiana). That gift provided the funds for the completion of a church building 7,000 miles away in Kherson, Ukraine.
While serving as an elder at The Creek, I was introduced to the leadership of one of our mission partners, TCM International Institute. That introduction would change my life, my family, my heart, and even my vocation. The Lord led me to transition from a secular vocation to one that is sacred, as I was invited to become a part of the staff team at TCM. While on that team, my world view grew exponentially as I developed a desire to introduce the lost of the world to Jesus Christ.
Looking back on the 18 years I served with TCM, I was blessed to develop amazing relationships with leaders of churches, elders, and other ministry leaders. I saw those leaders impress on their congregations the vital importance of missions. A person could simply enter one of those churches and feel the zeal for and commitment to local and global missions. And who often led that charge? The local elders.
Leading the Missions Endeavor
Promoting missions within our fellowship of churches is done in a variety of ways. Faith Promise Initiatives, Mission Moments from the pulpit, short-term mission trips, and guest speakers from mission organizations are but a few examples. These efforts are effective when elder and staff teams urge and challenge individuals in the local church to make missions a vital part of their personal lives.
Moreover, effective mission ministries are multi-generational. I have seen pre-school kids spell bound by accounts of how God is changing lives in other parts of the world and even in their own communities. Personally, I have also seen a 54-year-old elder finally say “yes” to God’s call on his life to go and serve vocationally in missions. That 54-year-old was me 18 years ago and that call of God came as a result of a prayer that I uttered in my devotions the previous evening. The next morning, the Lord clearly called me into a sacred mission to serve him in a new way for which, unknown to me, the Lord had been preparing me for years.
Having served as an elder at The Creek for 25 years, I would encourage elders to impact missions in the local church in these simple ways:
- Have the elder team go on a mission trip together, particularly to one of the missions supported by the church that you lead.
- Pray and fast for your missionaries, perhaps designating the first day of each month for doing so and inviting the entire congregation to join along with the elders.
- Get personally involved with the leadership team of a mission organization, perhaps serving on its board of directors.
- Become more engaged with the missions you support, perhaps supporting one or more of them financially, regularly sending a word of encouragement to one or more of your missionaries via e-mail or text.
Pursuing the Great Commission
As elders, we are charged by Jesus himself to lead the local church in pursuing the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). This should not intimidate us in any manner, because the Great Commission comes with a Great Companion, for Jesus said, “Surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
There has been no finer servant leader than Jesus, who is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Jesus called people to serve him then, and he calls people to serve him now. Even elders like me.
David Wright recently retired from serving at TCM International Institute and is serving elders through the ministry of e2: effective elders.
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