05-Involving the Entire Church

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!

Greg Mathias

May 65 min read

The Nations in Our Own Back Yard

Our world is closer and more interconnected in ways that require us to think and act like a missionary in our communities. When we look for

Entrusting Mission Ministry to Lay Leaders

D. Ray Davis

Apr 224 min read

Entrusting Mission Ministry to Lay Leaders

When considering the Great Commission, is it prudent to entrust mission efforts to lay leaders? The missionary task is best accomplished whe

Navigating Missions Leadership When You Haven't Been a Sent One

Christian Townson

Apr 154 min read

Navigating Missions Leadership When You Haven't Been a Sent One

The leadership of those who have “been there, done that” often goes unquestioned, even in ministry settings. When you hear of someone who...

Four Practical Ways to Care for Missionaries on Furlough

Kelsey Jarjour

Feb 55 min read

Four Practical Ways to Care for Missionaries on Furlough

If you have ever served in long-term missions or known someone who has, then you know that following the missionary call God often...

The Joy of Welcoming Internationals for Thanksgiving

Eric & Andrea Warren

Oct 30, 20235 min read

The Joy of Welcoming Internationals for Thanksgiving

Inviting international friends to Thanksgiving is one of the best cross-cultural missions opportunities available to American Christians....

Mike Easton

Sep 11, 20234 min read

Why You Need a Sending Pipeline

Do your church’s programs have an end in mind? A sending pipeline provides a framework for evaluating your programs.

Global Professionals Can Reach the World for Christ

Larry McCrary

Aug 10, 20234 min read

Global Professionals Can Reach the World for Christ

Let me tell you a little about Joe. Joe was a business student at a university in the U.S. He spent one semester studying abroad in an...

Shirley Ralston

May 29, 20237 min read

Creating a Network of Care Trip Goers

Is Your Church Ready? Care team, what do you do when one of your church’s global workers reaches out and asks for help? What if your...

Providing Cross Cultural Opportunities Locally

Bruce Mewbourne

May 22, 20235 min read

Providing Cross Cultural Opportunities Locally

Immigration and migration represent a Great Commission opportunity for the church. Migration is not a new phenomenon. A casual reading of...

How National Christians Can Bless and Teach Western Churches

Chris Howles

May 15, 20235 min read

How National Christians Can Bless and Teach Western Churches

Have you ever heard of a “truncated icosahedron”? If not don’t worry—you’re not alone. I’m informed it’s a “bitruncated order-5...

Worldview Discovery as an Evangelistic Tool

Matthew Hirt

May 8, 20235 min read

Worldview Discovery as an Evangelistic Tool

We all possess a unique worldview that shapes how we perceive and understand the world around us. Scripture challenges all of our...

Natalie Ford

May 1, 20234 min read

Connecting with Kids on the Field

Rarely do children wake up and say, “I want to move across the world and leave my home and friends so my family can tell people about...

How the Sent Send the Senders: Three Ways Missionaries Can Catalyze Mission at Home

Matthew Bennett

Apr 24, 20234 min read

How the Sent Send the Senders: Three Ways Missionaries Can Catalyze Mission at Home

As the term is commonly used, missionaries are those who are sent to make disciples in places that are usually geographically and...

The Importance of Creating a Mobilization Team

Christian Townson

Apr 10, 20234 min read

The Importance of Creating a Mobilization Team

Most churches have a champion of missions—a missions pastor, a director of missions, a lay leader. Every church needs one of these people...

10 Lessons I’ve Learned as a Missions Pastor

Nathan Sloan

Mar 16, 20235 min read

10 Lessons I’ve Learned as a Missions Pastor

As a missions pastor, these are ten things I have learned in my role as I have served my church.

Foundations to Healthy Missions Leadership

Scott Ward

Mar 13, 20234 min read

Foundations to Healthy Missions Leadership

As a mission pastor in a local church, there is much that is required, but I have found three actions that need to be prioritized. I have...

Liturgy for the Well-Worn Missions Leader

Bradley Bell

Mar 9, 20232 min read

Liturgy for the Well-Worn Missions Leader

We hope this liturgy written by Upstream's Bradley Bell is an encouragement to you.

Response to an International Crisis as a Church

Mike Easton

Feb 10, 20235 min read

Response to an International Crisis as a Church

When a crisis or disaster strikes a part of the world, we have an opportunity as sending churches to respond in ways that can provide...

How to Prepare for a Virtual Short-Term Trip

Larry McCrary

Feb 2, 20233 min read

How to Prepare for a Virtual Short-Term Trip

If you’re considering planning a virtual short-term trip, here are some things you might consider as you plan and prepare.

Incomplete Responses to Short-Term Missions in Developing Nations

David McWhite

Jan 31, 20237 min read

Incomplete Responses to Short-Term Missions in Developing Nations

As a missions leader in my church, my first priority in organizing and executing short-term trips is to come alongside our missions...