02-Establishing Missions Conviction

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!

Chris Howles

Nov 6, 20235 min read

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...

The Upstream Team's Favorite Missiology Resources

Mike Easton

Nov 17, 20222 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...

How Missions Convictions Decrease Decision Fatigue

Bradley Bell

Sep 29, 20223 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...

Developing a Global Heart in a Digital World

Mark Vance

Sep 15, 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...

Larry McCrary

Sep 8, 20224 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...

Bradley Bell

Sep 5, 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...

The Collective Sending Potential of Smaller Churches

Bradley Bell

Sep 1, 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...

Turning A Supertanker Missions Convictions: The Compass for Charting a Course for Change

Shirley Ralston

Oct 4, 20216 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

Building the Foundation for Healthy Sending

Larry McCrary

Sep 7, 20213 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.

A Call to Missions is a Call to Suffering...But It's Worth It

Ryan Martin

Sep 1, 20215 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.

When Evangelism Isn't Your Spiritual Gift

D. Scott Hildreth

May 27, 20213 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.

Using the Gifts God Has Given You to Serve Him

Alex Hawke

May 24, 20214 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.

Why Go to the Mission Field During a Pandemic

Matthew Hirt

May 13, 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.

Overview of Sending Church Element 2: Establishing Missions Convictions

Mike Easton

Feb 25, 20213 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.

Coming to the Mission Field During COVID-19

Anonymous

Jul 6, 20205 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.

Helpful Resources for Becoming a Sending Church

The Upstream Collective

Jun 4, 20202 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.

Sent Identity, Part 1: Why is a Sending Church So Important?

Larry McCrary

May 25, 20205 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.

The “Finish the Task” Perspective on Missions: Some Questions to Consider

Eric King

May 14, 20206 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.

Relying on Jesus’s Authority and Presence as We Obey the Great Commission

David McWhite

Apr 27, 20203 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.

Book Review: “Small Town Mission: A Guide for Mission-Driven Communities” by Aaron Morro

jamie5785

Apr 23, 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.