Series

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!

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.

Together on Mission with God: Principles and Practices of Healthy Partnerships

Joshua Bowman

Oct 10, 20224 min read

Together on Mission with God: Principles and Practices of Healthy Partnerships

Cross-cultural partnerships happen because they mutually submit to King Jesus. Here are principles and practices of healthy partnerships.

Together on Mission with God: A Definition for Partnership

Joshua Bowman

Oct 6, 20224 min read

Together on Mission with God: A Definition for Partnership

Cross-cultural missional partnership is a kingdom-oriented relationship of culturally diverse groups of believers who share common values.

Together on Mission with God: A Biblical Basis for Partnership

Joshua Bowman

Oct 3, 20224 min read

Together on Mission with God: A Biblical Basis for Partnership

Partnership is necessary because the gospel is universally relevant and provides the plan of redemption for sinners separated from God.

The Sending Pipeline Part 6: From Committed Goers to Sent

Mike Easton

Sep 30, 20213 min read

The Sending Pipeline Part 6: From Committed Goers to Sent

Here are some questions to ask to develop programs in this transition phase from Committed Goers to Sent, as members actually hit the field.

The Sending Pipeline Part 5: From US Senders or Potential Goers to Committed Goers

Mike Easton

Sep 27, 20217 min read

The Sending Pipeline Part 5: From US Senders or Potential Goers to Committed Goers

Committed Goers are those that have been assessed by your church and the sending agency and are cleared to be sent overseas.

The Sending Pipeline Part 4: From Global Christians to Potential Goers

Mike Easton

Sep 23, 20214 min read

The Sending Pipeline Part 4: From Global Christians to Potential Goers

Here are some questions to ask as you develop programs in this transition phase from Global Christians to US Senders or Potential Goers.

The Sending Pipeline Part 3: From Globally Aware to Global Christians

Mike Easton

Sep 20, 20214 min read

The Sending Pipeline Part 3: From Globally Aware to Global Christians

Global Christians understand that they have to orient their life around God’s mission of bringing the Gospel to those who have not heard it.

The Sending Pipeline Part 2: Moving Church Members from "New to Missions" to "Globally Aware"

Mike Easton

Sep 16, 20214 min read

The Sending Pipeline Part 2: Moving Church Members from "New to Missions" to "Globally Aware"

These are three questions we need to answer when helping church members move from being new to missions to globally aware.

The Sending Pipeline Part 1: Overview of the Sending Pipeline

Mike Easton

Sep 13, 20215 min read

The Sending Pipeline Part 1: Overview of the Sending Pipeline

The goal of a sending pipeline is to mobilize church members towards the missions vision and strategy that you have set before them.

Healthy At Home: More Resources for Healthy Minds, Bodies, Souls, and Practical Needs

Shirley Ralston

Jul 1, 20211 min read

Healthy At Home: More Resources for Healthy Minds, Bodies, Souls, and Practical Needs

Here is a list of resources to further help you care for your sent ones' mind, body, soul, and practical needs.

Shirley Ralston

Jun 28, 20215 min read

Healthy at Home: Helping Hands

Relying on the local church for travel, lodging plans, and fellowship has long been the norm for those sent out to deliver the Good News.

Shirley Ralston

Jun 24, 20214 min read

Healthy at Home: Healthy Souls

Maintaining healthy souls on reentry is a community effort that takes time and commitment.

Shirley Ralston

Jun 21, 20215 min read

Healthy at Home: Healthy Bodies

Providing for the needs of the body lays the groundwork for rest and renewal of the mind, alleviating stress in sent ones’ reentry process.

Healthy at Home: Healthy Minds Part 2—Professional Christian Counseling

Shirley Ralston

Jun 17, 20213 min read

Healthy at Home: Healthy Minds Part 2—Professional Christian Counseling

Professional Christian counseling may be necessary for returned workers who have experienced trauma or levels of high stress on the field.

Healthy at Home: Healthy Minds Part 1—Debriefing

Shirley Ralston

Jun 14, 20215 min read

Healthy at Home: Healthy Minds Part 1—Debriefing

Debriefing helps ensure sent ones' continued health, resiliency, and well-being.

Healthy at Home: Five Ways to Provide Holistic Care for Returned Global Workers

Shirley Ralston

Jun 10, 20213 min read

Healthy at Home: Five Ways to Provide Holistic Care for Returned Global Workers

Reentry care is a multi-faceted endeavor that requires constant tending. Our attention to their care is key to health and longevity.

Four Types of Sending Churches: Shotgun Sending Church

Mike Easton

May 6, 20213 min read

Four Types of Sending Churches: Shotgun Sending Church

Rather than thinking proactively or strategically, the Shotgun Sending Church is involved in whatever comes their way.

Four Types of Sending Churches: Missionary Care Sending Church

Mike Easton

May 3, 20213 min read

Four Types of Sending Churches: Missionary Care Sending Church

A Missionary Care Sending Church desires to make those they send feel loved, cared for, and accountable to what they are sent to accomplish.

Four Types of Sending Churches: Strategic Sending Church

Mike Easton

Apr 29, 20214 min read

Four Types of Sending Churches: Strategic Sending Church

Strategic Sending Churches are great at partnering with existing team leaders on the field and members that are not from their church.