Missiology is a term most used in seminaries until recently. It is moving into to the mainstream lexicon and we need to understand how this word impacts our lives as Christians.
The recent bulletin insert from the Virginia Baptist Mission Board states: “Missiology: According to Webster’s Dictionary: the study of the church’s mission especially with respect to missionary activity. Missiology: According to Virginia Baptists: Advancing the Redeemer’s Kingdom through initiation and collaboration with God’s family wherever they may be.”
The brochure goes on to tell us that the Key Values of Virginia Baptist Missiology are: Collaborate, Compassion, Cultivate, and Community. “Strategic ministry is accomplished by fostering a pattern of partnership and collaboration with God’s family. Social transformation takes place when the name of Christ is shared along with the love of Christ (compassion). A life commitment to Christ involves much more than a one-time decision to follow a Savior. All believers are called to obedience through constant discipleship and a daily decision for Christ to be Lord (cultivate). The local church is central in advancing the Kingdom of Christ through initiatives that penetrate all of society (community.) The local church represents the body of Christ in all that it says and does. We are a community of faith that is called by Christ to extend the invitation of community to each and every person we encounter.”
What is your personal definition of Missiology? Is it a “study” or is it a call to action? What is the Missiology of Walnut Hills Baptist Church? How does it impact you? How do you impact it?
The Missions & Evangelism Council was confirmed as a ministry of Walnut Hills Baptist Church at the Annual Meeting in January 2008. As a ministry of the church a line item was established in the church budget for WHBC mission work in our Jerusalem (Williamsburg and the Peninsula). Judea (Virginia), the US (Samaria) and the uttermost parts of the world that are not a part of the established mission offerings through the WMU. These funds might help to:
If you would like to share in the opportunities presented by the Mission & Evangelism Council to the congregation, you may give your gifts (above tithe and Journey commitments) to WHBC with an annotation for the M&E Council and the area you wish to support.
John and K. J. Proctor will be going to Grace Baptist Church, Odessa, Ukraine, to prepare for the WHBC Joshua Team Trip planned for late September 2008. Taken from scriptures of Joshua bringing back the report to Moses, a Joshua Team is a group who goes with the purpose of seeking, asking, listening, learning, and reporting the needs and opportunities found in a new area of outreach. Please pray that God will reveal the avenues He feels are of importance to the Kingdom; ways that our two churches can work together to accomplish things we could not do alone.