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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!
Dave Childers
Jul 8, 20243 min read
An Example of Starting a Missions Network in Your City
Do you remember the last time you started a new job or tried something that you’d never done before? Even though I had twenty years of...
D. Ray Davis
Apr 22, 20244 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
Christian Townson
Apr 15, 20244 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...
Ashlyn Portero
Apr 8, 20245 min read
Leaning into Your Giftings as a Missions Leader
Missions leaders are multi-faceted, and being one requires a diverse set of skills that reflects the diversity of the ministry of global...
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...
Ashlyn Portero
Mar 27, 20235 min read
Working with Your Elder Team in Global Missions
When developing a global missions strategy and leading a local church in sending efforts, it is critical that a ministry staff and elder...
Matthew Hirt
Mar 20, 20234 min read
Teaching Others to Engage in the Missionary Task
In a recent conversation, a friend described me as a “middle person”—someone who had been discipled and is now making disciples. My...
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.
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...
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.
Mike Easton
Mar 6, 20234 min read
My Sabbatical Experience
In 2021 I decided to go through some personal counseling. I had started medication for anxiety a few years before because I was having...
Bradley Bell
Mar 2, 20233 min read
The Mission Pastor and the Need for the Gospel
All my friends are dead. Don’t worry, it’s just the title of a book—a spoofy children’s book for adults. There’s a drawing of a...
Mike Easton
Dec 22, 20227 min read
Reflecting as a Missions Leader
The rhythms of the calendar are a gift from a good God who understands the heart and rhythms of his children. Each day provides the...
Mike Easton
Mar 31, 20229 min read
The Missions Pastor Sabbatical
From mid-December 2021 to mid-February 2022, I had the opportunity to take a Sabbatical. Historically, my church has not implemented...
Mike Easton
Mar 28, 20225 min read
When Missions Dreams Get Crushed
If you’re a missions leader, then you’ve been stirred by the vision of Revelation 7:9: to see every tribe, tongue, and nation worshiping...
Mike Schuetz
Mar 24, 20225 min read
Practicing What You Preach in Evangelism
After spending two years interning with Campus Crusade for Christ, and then joining the staff at a fast-growing, multi-site church, I...
Kyle Brosseau
Mar 21, 20224 min read
Reminders of Great Leadership Principles
Gleaning insights from popular leadership books and then applying them in the worlds of church and missions is no novel idea. Books on...
Gary Eberly
Mar 14, 20226 min read
Non-Staff Missions Leadership
Over dinner one night at my favorite Indian restaurant, I was listening to a new friend talk about his recent 5K races, Ironman...
Mike Easton
Mar 10, 20224 min read
Keeping Track of Those Interested in Going Overseas
Going overseas involves many steps, and it is easy for a potential Sent One to get lost in the process. It is also easy for a missions...
Mike Easton
Mar 7, 20226 min read
Productivity for Missions Leaders
“And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” -...
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