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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!
Cross-Cultural Missional Partnership: Some Perils of Neglect
The one-sided reality of failed cross-cultural partnerships may lead to the following errors.
Joshua Bowman
Oct 19, 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.
Mike Easton
Jul 20, 20234 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.
Nathan Sloan
Mar 16, 20235 min read
Liturgy for the Well-Worn Missions Leader
We hope this liturgy written by Upstream's Bradley Bell is an encouragement to you.
Bradley Bell
Mar 9, 20232 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.
Matthew Bennett
Feb 9, 20234 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...
Ryan Martin
Aug 1, 20226 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,...
Mike Easton
May 19, 20223 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....
Mark Zwemer
May 12, 20224 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....
Dave & Lorene Wilson
Apr 14, 20225 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...
Bradley Bell
Apr 11, 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...
Gary Eberly
Mar 14, 20226 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.
Meredith Cook
Nov 4, 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.
Mike Easton
Sep 23, 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.
Larry McCrary
Jul 26, 20214 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.
Shirley Ralston
Jun 10, 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.
D. Scott Hildreth
May 27, 20213 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.
Mike Easton
Apr 22, 20215 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.
Mike Easton
Apr 8, 20213 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.
Doug Hess
Jun 22, 20204 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.
Lisa Hoff
May 21, 20206 min read
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