Baptist Missionary Association of America

Last week, I had the honor of speaking to those attending the annual missions symposium of the Baptist Missionary Association of America in Conway, Arkansas.  And yes, I was just down the road from Toadsuck. . . . go figure.

These brothers and sisters have been at work across the globe for several decades.  If you are not aware of what they are doing, check out their site and their missions magazine, The Gleaner.

One of the matters that I admire most about this association is their heart’s desire for church multiplication.  In fact, the theme of the event was this topic.

I was delighted to spend some time with Larry Barker, Director of Operations for North America, and Executive Director, John David Smith. These men–as well as others in the association–recognize the importance of healthy theology and missiology to support their strategies and methods.  Here is an association that is taking the lead, setting wise goals, and desiring to keep church planting highly reproducible–even in North America.

Sound, Simple, and Reproducible.  Such is a rarity today–but desperately needed.  May others learn from the saints of BMAA.

During my first presentation, I was able to share with many of their missionaries.  I addressed the topic of three necessary shifts in church planting circles in preparation for any possible church multiplication, particularly in North America: 1) Shift in Definition of Church Planting; 2) Shift to an Apostolic Paradigm; and 3) Shift to Multiplication Strategies.

For the evening plenary session, I was also asked to address church multiplication, but with a general audience in mind.  During this gathering, I discussed that while the Church has no control over God’s sovereignty or the local contexts in which she finds herself, she does have control over her institutional factors that help or hinder possible multiplication.  It was a time for prayerful introspection and change where necessary.  While we read through many passages, we used Acts 16:1-15 as our primary text.

I promised those who attended that I would post both of my presentations on the blog.  Here they are for the taking:

Missionary Presentation

Missions Symposium Plenary

A big word of appreciation goes to the BMAA folks for their hospitality and friendship.  It was great being with you.  Keep pressing on!

I wanted to take a moment and say that I  hope your new year is off to a great start.

Over the last week and a half, I have refrained from blogging and have only spent a few moments on Twitter.  While I have missed sharing with you, I can also say that it has been a nice break from the routine.

This month marks the second year since I started writing at Missiologically Thinking and spending time in the realm-O-Twitter.  The last time I took a leave of absence from writing, someone contacted me asking if I was okay.  I appreciated that.  It was very kind.

So, to avoid causing any concerns, I thought I would also give you an update.

After this post, I’m planning on taking another leave of absence until after January 12.  Oh, I may not be able to resist the Twitter-bug, but blogging will likely be on hold.

I am entering into one of my busiest times of the year.  Over the next two weeks, I will be leading a four-day class/training event for church planters, preparing to teach three classes this coming semester, preparing to speak at a missions conference later this month, making a three-day trip for some meetings in Alabama, and attempting to finish another book all by January 12. But, of course, I’ll still make time to have my coffee.  What?  Do you think I’m crazy?

I would greatly appreciate your prayers. . . . Not for the coffee though.

So, while I am very eager to get back to the blog with several posts already brewing, I’m needing some time off.

My prayers are with you as you begin this new year.  It is my hope and desire that you will grow in your walk with the Lord this year, that you will be intentional about sharing the gospel with others, and that you will be greatly blessed to be a blessing to others.  May the Lord use you in a powerful way this year to advance His Kingdom!

Lord willing, I’ll be in touch in a couple of weeks.  Take care.  And, as always, thank you for your support and encouragement over 2011.  It has been a blessing to me.

In my last post, I shared 5 of the key global migration trends of 2011 according to the “World Migration Report 2011“.  Regional overviews are also found in this document.

Gone are the days of missions being geographically defined.  We presently live in an age where the lines are blurred between domestic and international.  What happens at home does not stay at home, and what happens abroad influences the rest of the world.

While the challenges of globalization and international migration are great, the Great Commission opportunities are even greater.  Here is a glimpse of what is happening in our world as the Lord continues to open doors for the advancement of the gospel.  Check out the full report (linked above) for more details.

• Africa Regional Overview: About 30 million Africans have migrated internationally.  In 2010, most of the sub-Saharan migration was intraregional and employment-related (64%).  However, 90% of migrants from North Africa travel to countries outside of the region. The majority of Africa’s migrants live in Europe, and about half of all of Africa’s migrants live outside the continent.

• Americas Regional Overview: Over 1 million people were displaced after the earthquake in Haiti. The United States is still the top country of destination.  In 2010, about 43 million foreign nationals (13.5% of total U.S. pop) were hosted by the United States.   The Hispanic population in the United States increased from 35.3 million in 2000 to 50.5 million by 2010.

• Asia Regional Overview: Extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, storms and earthquakes caused the displacement of millions of people in Asia. Both the Philippines and Pakistan put forward new laws to protect their citizens working abroad.  In 2010, half of the top 10 emigration countries were from this region–Bangladesh, China, India, Pakistan and the Philippines.  A significant number of regional migrations occurred to Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong SAR, and the Republic of Korea.  Thailand was a major destination for migrants from Cambodia.  Remittances played an important role in economic development in this region. 2010 remittances were estimated to be $170 billion (USD).

• Europe Regional Overview: Europe has experienced slow recovery from the economic downturn and unemployment remains high. This has resulted in new emigration flows. Many people left Ireland in 2010 seeking employment elsewhere. Net emigration from Ireland reached about 60,000 in 2010, the highest level since 1989.  Governments in the region are discussing tighter border controls.  EU states worked to establish a safe and orderly return of Pakistanis staying illegally in such territories.

• Middle East Regional Overview: The Middle East has experienced significant recovery from the economic downturn due to high oil prices. A large number of immigrants take up the low skilled jobs in this region. These immigrants come from countries such as the Philippines, Nepal and India.  The foreign labor force is very diverse with workers originating from Africa, South America, and the Far East.  International migrants account for 87% of the population of Qatar, 70% of the population of the U.A.E., and 69% of the population of Kuwait.  In Saudi Arabia (2010), 4.7 million foreign workers outnumbered the 4.3 million Saudi nationals in their labor market.  It is estimated that 30.2 million Iraqi nationals (15% of the total pop) remain displaced as a result of the conflict in the region.

• Oceania Regional Overview: Of the 35 million people living in Oceania, 16.8% of the population are international migrants.  Large numbers of migrants from Asia and neighboring countries in Oceania are locating to Australia.  Australia and New Zealand are the main destinations within the region for migrants from Polynesia, Melanesia, and Micronesia.  New Zealand has been attempting to attract more highly skilled migrants, particularly young people.

This week the “World Migration Report 2011″ was released. It is available for purchase or as a free pdf download HERE.

The total 2010 global stock of migrants was 214 million people.  This number was up from 191 million in 2005.   Whenever internal migrants are taken into account (740 million), about 1 billion people in the world today are migrants, or about 1 in 7 of the total global population.

The issue of migration is one of the most significant issues facing the Church today.  While the migration of peoples comes with numerous challenges, it also provides amazing opportunities for gospel advancement.

Today’s post is the first of two related to the “World Migration Report 2011.”  Contained within this work was a list of international migration trends.  Here are the five which are important to keep in mind and are affecting the movement of peoples.

I. Political transitions in the Middle East and North Africa

There have been many political uprisings throughout the Middle East and North Africa in 2011. These uprisings have been anywhere from  peaceful to very violent.  Along with the uprisings came mass movements of peoples. Many Asians returned to their home countries and North Africans returned home.

II. Increase in natural disasters and displaced people

In 2010, there was an unusual increase in natural disasters. In that year, over 42 million people were displaced due to sudden-onset natural disasters.  There were unusually heavy floods in Pakistan, China, and India, earthquakes in Chile, Japan and Haiti.

III. Overall numbers of refugees and asylum-seekers remain stable

In 2010, it was estimated that there were 15.4 million refugees and 845,800 asylum-seekers across the globe.  The total number of refugees increased only slightly in 2010, but the number of new asylum claims decreased. The number of refugees is expected to increase as a result of the instability in North Africa in 2011.

IV. Migration and the global economic crisis: some signs of recovery

The global economic crisis affected countries in different ways.  Some countries are experiencing an increase of migrants (e.g., Canada, Germany, United States) and others a decrease (e.g., United Kingdom).  Overall, the changes in the labor markets and migration patterns caused by the crisis were relatively short-lived.

V. The relevance of human trafficking

The number of trafficked persons around the globe has remained high and was estimated at 12.3 million in 2010.  Across the globe, almost 2 out of 1,000 people are victims of trafficking.  In Asia and the Pacific this ratio jumps to 3 out of 1,000 people.  There are indications that the international community is taking a more serious perspective of this issue.

Innovation and technology shape lives.  They are built on history and they shape history.  Any future progress is based on past and present realities.

As the Church becomes aware of the blessings that can be found in innovation and technology, She is likely to embrace those blessings for the advancement of the gospel.  For example, the missionary activities of the Apostolic and Early Church were aided by the Roman Road system of their days.  Consider the great help of the steam powered locomotive to the Kingdom.  What about the automobile?

I read an article in The Telegraph that caused me to stop and consider how economic improvement across Asia is likely to lead to greater opportunities for the gospel to spread rapidly and with honor (2 Thes 3:1).  As China and India continue to experience a growing middle class, the demand for air travel continues to increase.  And with demand comes the need for more pilots.  Such was the thrust of the article.

The growth in the demand for people to take advantage of the technology of flight is so great that William Voss, President of Flight Safety Foundation was quoted as stating, “Never in human history have we seen a time when two billion people will enter the middle class and demand air travel. That time is now.”

The number of Asians traveling within their countries and across the globe is likely to grow dramatically in the next several years.  Is the Church ready for such movements?

Yes, the Roman Roads, steam-powered locomotives, and automobiles made travel safer, faster and more efficient.

But is that the extent of their value?  Were they allowed to develop simply so we could get to grandmother’s house in time for Christmas?  Sure they were/are wonderful blessings, but is there a bigger picture?

Do you and your church recognize the impact that a rise in the Asian middle class will have on your ministry?  Do you recognize the wonderful Kingdom opportunities that exist for every new Asian pilot who enters the workforce?

Few churches in North America are involved in church planting.  I want to be involved in changing this unfortunate reality.

Today, I am releasing my latest e-book Leading Your Church in Church Planting: Taking the First Steps. 

This 62-page work is designed to encourage and provide some guidance for pastors considering such missionary work. While some elements of this book will be of value to pastors who are already leading their churches in church planting, this resource was not written with them in mind.  The content is very basic.  It is written for those approaching the starting line–not those  already in the race.

Chapters include:

• Seven Reasons for Leading Your Church in Church Planting
• The Other Wing of the Airplane
• Some Resources to Get You Started
• Avoiding the Nestea Plunge
• Five Steps for Vision Casting for Multiplication
• Anticipating Objections to Church Planting

Each chapter concludes with questions to assist with developing and taking contextualized action steps.

This work is FREE for the taking.

My only request–if you would please–is that you would be kind enough to subscribe to my blog feed and tell at least three other people about this free resource (tweeting it to your millions of followers will suffice).

I truly appreciate your assistance in spreading the word on this book.

The book is available in pdf, Kindle, and Epub formats.  I prefer the pdf.  At this point in time, Kindle and Epub remove some of the aesthetic value of the book.

So, take it, use it, give it away, make photocopies of it, tweet it, etc.!

GET THE PDF HERE: Leading Your Church in Church Planting: Taking the First Steps

GET THE KINDLE and EPUB VERSIONS HERE: Leading Your Church in Church Planting: Taking the First Steps

If you get a chance, please let me know how you are using this book.  I always look forward to hearing from you guys out there.

If you did not get a copy of the other e-book I gave away last month, you may find it HERE.

I am preparing to release my next free e-book. Check out the video below for more information.  Stay tuned.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Last week, I received the following news from my publisher at Biblica:

InterVarsity Press has acquired Biblica.

This was an exciting update.  While I knew Biblica was in discussion with another publisher, I did not know the company involved.  You may check out some of the details from Andy Unedited at IVP HERE and the press release HERE.

While Biblica is exiting the Christian book publishing business, the company will remain in existence with a focus on Bibles and Bible distribution.

I felt that this matter should be brought to your attention for at least two reasons.

First, while I am presently under writing contracts with Baker Academic and Thomas Nelson, three of my books have been with Biblica.  Missional House Churches, Discovering Church Planting, and Evangelism are now under the auspices of InterVarsity Press.  I am very thankful for this new situation.

Also, many of you know that for sometime I have been promoting my next book, Strangers Next Door: Immigration, Migration, and Missions Opportunity.  This work with Biblica was scheduled to be released in March 2012.  You may read my last update on the book HERE.  I know that conversations are presently taking place regarding the books that were in the Biblica pipeline to be released.

While I am excited about this recent purchase, it is an unexpected change.   Strangers has been through the editing and cover design stages.  So, I must add that it is an uncomfortable feeling when your airplane is roaring down the runway only to have the breaks applied just before take-off.  Don’t get me wrong.  No one has informed me that it will not be published.  Therefore, I am expecting that the airplane will re-taxi and will soon be off the ground.  I would appreciate your prayers regarding this matter.  I will keep you informed.

The second reason I believe this change is worth bringing to your attention is that while InterVarsity has always given a high priority to missions (e.g., Urbana, numerous books on missions already), the acquisition of a large number of missions-related books from Biblica will continue to strengthen the company and their reputation for Great Commission literature.  InterVarsity Press will obtain 170 books as well as almost 30 forthcoming titles.

Stay tuned.  You’ll begin to see such changes with InterVarsity Press come January 2012.  I am very thankful for the new owners and greatly looking forward to working with them in the future.  They have been very helpful and encouraging since the acquisition.

Exciting times!

One last word.  It has been a wonderful blessing to work with the people of Biblica.  They have been very helpful, supportive, and encouraging over the years.  They have always manifested a Christ-like spirit.  I love their creativity and heart.  I know the Lord will continue to do great things through them in the days to come.

My last post addressed the new stats released by the Institute of International Education.  The United States has reached a record high in the number of international students now enrolled in its colleges and universities.  I consider this a very good situation.  It is a wonderful opportunity for the Church to serve the nations.

Go back to that post and look at the chart on the top countries of origin.  China and India are the two largest sending nations.  Turkey, Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan also make the top ten list.  Many of the top twenty-five countries have experienced large percent increases of students sent within the past year.

But, do we see the hand of the Lord in such movements?

Many of the least reached and unreached peoples of the world are coming to our communities to study, learn American cultures, and make friendships.  Unfortunately, many churches in the United States are not aware of such wonderful migrations.  While the greatest needs for the gospel are by far outside of the United States, the sad reality is that while many of us struggle to figure out ways to get into other nations, we fail to recognize the Sovereign Lord at work in our own communities.

We often pass the peoples we are trying to reach at 35,000 feet somewhere over the Pacific.  They fly past us at 530 miles per hour on their way to our neighborhoods.  They are willingly coming to our communities while we’re struggling to get into theirs.

We are called to go into all the world and make disciples.  We are supposed to continue to go into all the world to the least reached and unreached.  Again, the greatest need is absolutely “over there.”

However, what kind of theology and missiology supports going “over there” and fails to advocate going “down the street”?

What kind of stewards are we if we are willing to spend large amounts of money, time, and energy on reaching people groups–at great risk–and are not willing to connect with someone from that same group who wants to have tea or coffee with us at the local shop?

The Great Commission knows no geographical boundaries.  The churches, networks, and denominations that will be the most effective in making disciples of all nations in a highly globalized twenty-first century world are those who strategically integrate all of their missional activities.  They will bring together the domestic and international realms.

And there is no better place to start than by loving and serving those wonderful students who have come to study in our backyards.