What if church planters considered themselves as missionaries? I believe the paradigm shift makes a huge difference.

Sometimes we get into church planting 101 stuff like church planting systems, core team gathering, strategy sessions, etc… and forget the one thing that God called us to do…. make disciples. All of those things are fine and good, but we should not get distracted and forget to keep the main thing the main thing.

If we focus on making disciples, a church will start at some point. We can however, start a “church” and never make a disciple.

 

One of the most inspirational missionaries was a man named Hudson Taylor.

He was called to serve in China and was committed as one could possibly be. He truly had a missionary mindset as he spread the gospel, made disciples, and planted churches.

What sets him apart from others was his “extra-mile” work ethic. While we all have problems and issues in life, Hudson Taylor navigated the loss of two wives and personal depression and various physical ailments.

Hudson Taylor sacrificed much and has left a legacy for all of us to not just admire but emulate.

 

The Missionary Mindset

When we go on mission trips things are different. We value every day on the mission field. Every day is precious and valuable. We wake up each morning with a sense of expectancy, wondering what God had in store of us.

What if we focused on those all around us that are from God?

What if we pushed beyond our comfort zone with the goal of obeying Jesus and honoring Him with our lives?

 

Inspiration from Hudson 

Here are a few of our favorite quotes from Hudson Taylor – the great missionary to China:

“God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supplies.”

“God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supplies.”

“China is not to be won for Christ by quiet, ease-loving men and women. The stamp of men and women we need is such as will put Jesus, China, [and] souls first and foremost in everything and at every time—even life itself must be secondary.”

“You must go forward on your knees.”

“The Great Commission is not an option to be considered; it is a command to be obeyed.”

“Christ is either Lord of all, or He is not Lord at all.”

“I am no longer anxious about anything, as I realize the Lord is able to carry out His will, and His will is mine”.

“It makes no matter where He places me, or how. That is rather for Him to consider than for me; for in the easiest positions He must give me His grace, and in the most difficult, His grace is sufficient.”