ministry | Upstream Collective

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!

Cross-Cultural Missional Partnership: Some Perils of Neglect

Joshua Bowman

Oct 19, 20234 min read

Cross-Cultural Missional Partnership: Some Perils of Neglect

The one-sided reality of failed cross-cultural partnerships may lead to the following errors.

Four Church Giving Practices for Supporting Global Missions

Mike Easton

Jul 20, 20234 min read

Four Church Giving Practices for Supporting Global Missions

The budget is one of the best ways to reflect the values of a church. Giving to global missions usually falls in one of four categories.

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.

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.

Language Learning beyond Babel: The Biblical Redemption of Local Languages

Matthew Bennett

Feb 9, 20234 min read

Language Learning beyond Babel: The Biblical Redemption of Local Languages

I hope that we never let go of the strategic value of learning language as missionaries seeking to demonstrate that the gospel is for all.

Cultivating Missions Awareness Through Local International Ministry

Ryan Martin

Jul 31, 20226 min read

Cultivating Missions Awareness Through Local International Ministry

A little over a year ago, my family and I transitioned churches. This was not the first time either my wife or I had sought a new church...

Mike Easton

May 19, 20223 min read

Developing an International Ministry

One of the incredible opportunities we have right now in America is to reach an increasing number of internationals. Immigrants,...

The Art of Being Bi-Cultural in an American Context

Mark Zwemer

May 12, 20224 min read

The Art of Being Bi-Cultural in an American Context

Being a bi-cultural Christ-follower means being able to comfortably move in and out of cultures, sometimes even a variety of cultures....

Helping Potential Sent Ones Discern Calling

Dave & Lorene Wilson

Apr 14, 20225 min read

Helping Potential Sent Ones Discern Calling

The story of Moses and the burning bush is the iconic example of God calling someone to accomplish His purposes in this world....

Bradley Bell

Apr 11, 20226 min read

The Cheerleader and the Curmudgeon

Fostering Both Excitement and Sobriety in Potential Sent Ones Choosing the right road trip companions can mean the difference between...

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...

"God Can Use Me Right Where I Am." Encouragement or Excuse?

Meredith Cook

Nov 4, 20214 min read

"God Can Use Me Right Where I Am." Encouragement or Excuse?

The phrase “God can use me right where I am” is a reminder to steward our time well and make disciples of all nations wherever we are.

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.

Ways a Sending Church Can Financially Support Marketplace Workers

Larry McCrary

Jul 26, 20214 min read

Ways a Sending Church Can Financially Support Marketplace Workers

There are several areas for which a sending church can provide financial resources for their marketplace worker.

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.

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.

Introduction to the Four Types of Sending Churches

Mike Easton

Apr 22, 20215 min read

Introduction to the Four Types of Sending Churches

In this series of articles, I want to help your church, become the type of sending church God wants you to be.

Overview of Sending Church Element 14: Inviting Sent Ones' Influence

Mike Easton

Apr 8, 20213 min read

Overview of Sending Church Element 14: Inviting Sent Ones' Influence

By Inviting Sent-Ones’ Influence the church is able to see its blind spots and adjust its practices to align more to the heart of Scripture.

Merits of a Business as Mission Strategy and How to Overcome Its Challenges

Doug Hess

Jun 22, 20204 min read

Merits of a Business as Mission Strategy and How to Overcome Its Challenges

The 21st century will likely need more—not less—BAM workers in order to continue to effectively engage the lost world with the gospel.

The Keys to Conducting Ethnographic Research: Part 2

Lisa Hoff

May 21, 20206 min read

The Keys to Conducting Ethnographic Research: Part 2

Ethnographic research is a tremendous way to better understand how God is at work in the life of a person or a community.