Photo Credit: Filippo Venturi via Compfight cc
In my previous post I wrote about Paul turning his attention to the harvest fields of Spain and writing to the Roman churches to garner their support for his mission to the ends of the earth. This new field was requiring a new strategy that included a new level of partnership between Paul and the Roman churches (see Romans 1:1-17; 15:8-33).
In seeking this partnership Paul expressed the need for fellowship (Romans 1:9-11; 15:24), mutual ministry (Romans 1:11-15), material support (Romans 15:24), and prayer (Romans 15:30). These are “spiritual nutrients” every missionary needs and these can only be found in the local church.
Consider our need for fellowship.
Apostolic missionaries are on the front lines of the Gospel’s global advancement, generally serving with little or no fellowship like the average church member or minister enjoys. Apostolic missions is pioneering work of plowing, planting, watering, and harvesting. These men and women are serving in the trenches, advancing the scope of the Gospel at great personal cost with few to share the responsibilities, burdens, joys and fellowship. While never alone apostolic mission can still be lonely.
Imagine Paul as he is dictating Romans to Tertius (Romans 16:22). He is tired and weary. His body is worn down from the hardships of travel, ministry, and persecution. He bears in his own body the marks of Jesus Christ (Gal.6:17).
He is in Corinth, a sinful place broken beyond all measure and imagination.
Yet the Gospel burns brightly in him. He longs to begin his next assignment. But first he needs a sabbatical of sorts, a season of rest and restoration brought only through fellowship in the body of Christ.
Frontline ministry takes a toll because all feeding is sacrificial. It drains you in ways you are not aware of: placing demands on every physical, mental, and spiritual resource you possess. Sometimes you just need a season of refreshing rest and restoration. Paul longed for this time with the Romans churches (see Romans 1:8-12; 15:22-24). Fellowship within a supportive, loving, prayerful, and faithful church would restore and renew him before he launched into his next mission. The churches in Rome must have been quite the community of believers.
The fellowship we need restores us. Our hearts, minds, bodies, and emotions get banged around while on the frontlines. The bruises and abrasions need to heal. I vividly remember sitting through a service at Northwest Church in Federal Way, Washington, and the Spirit of God bringing healing and grace to me by being in a church that loves missionaries so much. I could feel my own bruises and abrasions giving way to healing and life.
The fellowship we need renews us. Recently I was at New Horizon Church, the Foursquare Church in Reseda, California. They are so filled with love and faith I left that day renewed for the demanding days ahead of me. I was built up because of their faith.
No matter where we go, now matter how much we do, no matter what our level of ministry responsibility and effectiveness, we will always need the vital nutrient of fellowship that can only be provided by the local church. Today, I am thanking God for the churches who are making a difference around the world by making room for missionaries in their midst.
TO BE CONTINUED….
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Debbie and I serve as the FMI Global Associate Director for MENACA and Europe. We focus on cultivating disciples, leaders, and church planting movements.
