Out of the comfort zone and into missions George Verwer (Book

Summary)
We need more grace in missions
We need grace and big-heartedness to others in mission work. Speak graciously
about our work and others work. Be careful not to criticize other missions - get
your facts straight first!
We also need to be big-hearted in terms of our doctrinal differences (e.g.
charismatic vs. non-charismatic). Agree on the major doctrinal issues (e.g.
salvation, sin, repentance) while choosing to disagree gracefully on the minor
ones.
To deal gracefully with others:
1. Dont compare with them
2. Dont control them
God works in different ways among different people groups, therefore do not
criticize others plans/strategies for missions. Learn to esteem others as better
than yourself. Learn what you can from them.
Mature people are recognized for their ability to disagree with grace and tact.
Why should I go for missions?
God calls us to be his witnesses (see Great Commission in Matt 28:18-20, and
Acts 1:8 too). What does it mean to be his witness?
1. Live a godly, holy life of love and integrity
2. Speak boldly about Jesus Christ.
Being a witness starts where we are (e.g. Jerusalem) until the ends of the
earth.
Remember that even though we may be filled with the Spirit, we are also
humans, which means that we have weaknesses and shortcomings.
Two things we need to be stay involved in missions:
1. Determination to get up and go after discouragement. There will be
mistakes, failures and sins in mission work.
2. Be proactive: Decide, then Act. Weve all been called to witness. Play a
part in it right now: Go, Give and Pray.
The call to missions is more often an act of the will than because of feelings
(emotion-based). Even if you arent called to the mission field, you must be
involved.
4 Warnings to those wanting to be missionaries
1. Your heart will be broken many times and you will face many
disappointments.
2. You will face financial pressures and differences of opinion on lifestyle and
how money should be spent.
3. Its sometimes easy to start a project but really hard to keep it going and
also keep the loyalty of those youre working with.

4. Roots of bitterness can enter Christian work very easily, by Satanic

oppression and because people work not just for money.
About being a leader in missions
We need to train more mission leaders, including young people. Leaders need to
work on their own spiritual development and walk with God. Important that they
be Spirit-filled. You will notice that in the book of Acts, all the leaders were Spiritfilled.
Leaders need to balance
1. Faith and common sense
2. Discipline and liberty
3. Authority and fellowship
4. Priorities (determining priorities)
5. Being decisive/Firm and Being Gentle/Broken
6. Doctrine
7. (Have a) balanced view of God
Leaders in missions must
1. Have vision: To know the needs and how to meet those needs
2. Be sensitive and understanding
3. A person of prayer
4. Be an encourager of people
5. Committed to communicate well
6. Read Christian books
How to be a missions mobilizer
The role of a missions mobilizer is to get people involved in missions. Heres how
to be one:
1. Walk with God. Be Spirit-filled and a person of prayer.
2. Take ownership of world evangelism. Set goals and aims (e.g. To send 1
missionary out, support 10 indigenous workers, have 5 mission trips next
year, etc.)
3. Develop a greater knowledge of world missions. Read books, meet
missionaries, etc.
4. Use available tools. Attend mission events, conferences, missions training
courses/schools
5. Church involvement. Be involved in your local church.
6. Get others involved in evangelism and ministry. E.g. short-term programs,
summer programs, long-term programs, etc.
Funding missionaries
We should not have an either/or mind-set for choosing to support national
workers vs. foreign missionaries. It should be both/and. God calls and uses both
national workers and foreign missionaries.
In places where the indigenous church is growing, support local workers, while
having foreigners come in as trainers/specialists. But where there arent enough
Christian presence, we still need pioneering work and therefore require foreign
missionaries. When appropriate, its good if they train indigenous workers to
continue the ministry.

Miscellaneous
Disappointment in evangelism can often be Gods appointment to teach us
something greater and better.
The work of God is held up for lack of funds for training missionaries, buying
equipment, supporting projects, etc. We need to give generously to missions.