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UPSTREAM BLOG
The Upstream Blog is published two times a week and contains content from missions leaders, pastors, missiologists, and the Upstream team on a wide variety of topics pertaining to being a sending church. Leave us some comments or questions!
Defining Terms: The Great Commission
Once while I was living in Uganda, I watched my Bible college students destroy an old termite mound. It looked to me just like a pile of...
Chris Howles
Nov 6, 20235 min read
The Upstream Team's Favorite Missiology Resources
There’s always more we could read, isn’t there? While there are endless books you could be reading, we wanted to provide an answer to the...
Mike Easton
Nov 17, 20222 min read
How Missions Convictions Decrease Decision Fatigue
In this article I want to convince you of two things: that missions decisions can exhaust you, and that missions convictions can refresh...
Bradley Bell
Sep 29, 20223 min read
Developing a Global Heart in a Digital World
I have the privilege of serving as the Lead Pastor at Cornerstone Church in Ames, IA. When this church was planted in 1994, the founding...
Mark Vance
Sep 15, 20223 min read
Who Are the Missionaries, Really?
The following is an excerpt from the Tradecraft Workbook. Spanning twelve weeks, Christians will learn to both reflect upon and practice...
Larry McCrary
Sep 8, 20224 min read
Toward a Better Definition of Missions
A few months ago, I had a conversation with the editorial director of one of today’s most highly trafficked Christian websites. I thanked...
Bradley Bell
Sep 5, 20224 min read
The Collective Sending Potential of Smaller Churches
The discussion of the sending church may cause some leaders and churches to feel left out. Many of the churches touted as sending...
Bradley Bell
Sep 1, 20224 min read
Turning A Supertanker Missions Convictions: The Compass for Charting a Course for Change
A turning point in our education came during a conversation with Upstream Collective about an element we lacked called Missions Convictions
Shirley Ralston
Oct 4, 20216 min read
Building the Foundation for Healthy Sending
While it can be said there are no perfect Sending Churches, we do see some common practices of healthy Sending Churches.
Larry McCrary
Sep 7, 20213 min read
A Call to Missions is a Call to Suffering...But It's Worth It
Suffering comes in all shapes and sizes on the mission field, so we must consider it and call sent ones to it when equipping them.
Ryan Martin
Sep 1, 20215 min read
When Evangelism Isn't Your Spiritual Gift
The best way to learn to share Christ is by doing it. The challenge is to anchor our faith in Christ and step out by faith.
D. Scott Hildreth
May 27, 20213 min read
Using the Gifts God Has Given You to Serve Him
All of us already have gifts, talents, resources, and experience given us by God that we can use to glorify Him and serve others.
Alex Hawke
May 24, 20214 min read
Why Go to the Mission Field During a Pandemic
Leaving home is always emotional, especially during a time of global crisis. But crisis does not negate Jesus's Great Commission.
Matthew Hirt
May 13, 20214 min read
Overview of Sending Church Element 2: Establishing Missions Convictions
The process of establishing missions convictions begins with a church leadership team coming together and searching the Scriptures.
Mike Easton
Feb 25, 20213 min read
Coming to the Mission Field During COVID-19
We were not prepared for a pandemic to shake the foundations of our host country and the world. But God knew and he knew what we needed.
Anonymous
Jul 6, 20205 min read
Helpful Resources for Becoming a Sending Church
There is a lot involved with becoming a sending church. Here are some resources to help you.
The Upstream Collective
Jun 4, 20202 min read
Sent Identity, Part 1: Why is a Sending Church So Important?
To put it simply, the reason missionaries identify as sent from their local church is because it is the local church that sends.
Larry McCrary
May 25, 20205 min read
The “Finish the Task” Perspective on Missions: Some Questions to Consider
We should embrace missions as a grace-given role of joining God as his ambassadors in the mission he both initiated and will complete.
Larry McCrary
May 14, 20206 min read
Relying on Jesus’s Authority and Presence as We Obey the Great Commission
Our obedience to the Great Commission is only possible because Jesus has supplied everything we need to obey it.
David McWhite
Apr 27, 20203 min read
Book Review: “Small Town Mission: A Guide for Mission-Driven Communities” by Aaron Morro
There is a need for resources, focus, and energy spent on ministry in small towns. Enter "Small Town Mission" by Aaron Morrow.
jamie5785
Apr 23, 20203 min read
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