Why do Christians do mission?

Question

I'm training to be a vicar/pastor/priest in the UK and I'd be interested to know what you think
1. What do you think Christian mission involves?
2. Do you think it's helpful for people?

Answer 1

The purpose of a mission is to "spread the word of god". Apparently that means following people down the street harassing them.

See, they're sneaky. They look all nice and clean cut right? But its obvious what they're there for because no one dresses like that outside of work.

But they act all nice in the beginning. Talking about inane, stupid stuff like the weather. But, if you start to speed up (a clear indication of "I don't want to talk to you" to anyone else but missionaries) they speed up their walking too to keep up with you.

And thats when they start their speil about their god.

I've tried just about everything with them. Everything from honesty, to lies, to just plain waving at them and saying that I'm not interested. But they can, and WILL sometimes continue following you saying things like "Maybe you haven't found the right religion yet" even if you tell them you're Christian.

I've had to threaten to have them arrested before they would leave me alone.

Its one of the things thats so incredibly aggravating. I don't want to hear your religion. I really don't. I don't want anyone knocking on my door or harassing me in the street about their religion.

But they think they aren't doing anything wrong.

Thats why they do missions. Because, in their minds, they're doing what their religion tells them to. To everyone else, they're just being incredibly aggravating.

Answer 2

The Great Commision given by Jesus,
Mt 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mt 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Missionaries go to parts of the world that have never heard, or heard very little about God. It is a great thing, and it does help peolpe. They also help doctor the people of the area.and many cultures have learned of God and accepted Him because of Mission work. but the bad side to it is it can be dangerous for the missionary.
watch the movie End of the Spear, it was a true story of missionaries, it shows both sides of it.
.

Answer 3

Missionary work is serving people. Christ came to serve not to be served. Many, in fact most Christians have it backwards. The ministry is not a tool for people to use to get something that they want. Needs-based Christianity will always fail. It is absolutely essential that a person serve before being ordained. And once ordained, the minister will continue to serve for life. Service never stops. Humility never stops. Ministers are not gods to be adorned and worshiped---they are servants. If you are not willing to serve, then don't get into the business---you will be sorely disappointed.

Answer 4

The Christian mission involves spreading the Gospels. However, conversion through exploitation of poverty , has been their USP in India .
It is helpful in the field of education.

Answer 5

When you cut through it all every mission must and should be to bring the light of Christ to other`s and this has to be the first intention,if this is the motive then yes people will most certainly benefit.

Answer 6

Just my thoughts:

1. The Christian mission involves getting the good news about Jesus out to the world. It is accomplished through the Holy Spirit's power and involves various spiritual gifts: Love (the main one... Love is the heart of Christian mission), preaching, teaching, mercy, encouragement, miracles, etc. When done properly though, it does not only involve preaching or beating people over the heads with Bibles. It involves meeting people's needs as the Lord leads you. The thing that helps people understand how God cares about them, is sometimes the fact that "you" care about them and their needs enough to help them... and when "you" insist that God sent you (because He did)... they begin to realize that the Jesus you preach about is real and truly does care about them.

2. It is helpful for people because without Jesus, people are lost. I have not been a Christian all my life. I was a follower of other religions previously. But Jesus is the only way, the only truth, and the only life worth striving for. He is the only way to God. Therefore, sharing the good news about Him, is eternally helpful for people, even though "today" they sometimes don't realize the significance of the message you bring to them. You simply will be planting seeds. In due time, God Himself will cause the seeds to take root and grow in people. And He will be responsible for their salvation, ultimately.

It is simply our job to share the message and be obedient to the Lord by helping the people who He loves... which is EVERYBODY. And we should do it not out of obligation, but out of Love... because God loved us first, and He loves everybody else just as much as He loves us. He loves the murderers and prostitutes just as much as He loves people who have been trying to live uprightly. No one can live truly "upright" without Jesus -- it is Jesus who makes us righteous... simple faith in Him is the key to righteousness. There is none good except God/Jesus Himself, and He is who makes us righteous by His blood, when we have faith in Him. He will not fail you.

By the way, you may be interested in checking out the story of Nicky Gumbel at:
http://alpha.org/itv/nickygumbel/
He teaches a course called Alpha which I have been through. It is amazing and speaks a lot about Christian mission. This guy was a practical atheist. Now he is a chaplain in the UK.

Answer 7

People are called by God to do missionary work. Yes, it is helpful because you're doing God's work.

Answer 8

It is how Christians try to spread their superstition to other parts of the world. It is meddlesome and causes much harm all over.