Teaching for Missionaries – Part 2

Philippians 4:8

Scripture Reference

Philippians 4:8 — “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Introduction

Mission work demands spiritual preparation, practical skill, cultural sensitivity, and a steady heart. Bro. Stacey Shiflett shares candid, hard-earned counsel from years on the field—especially from his ministry in South Africa. He speaks not only to the call to reach the lost, but to the daily realities that make mission service effective or ineffective: resources, preparation, cultural shock, leadership and finances, and the crucial need to disciple and train nationals. This sermon seeks to unpack those lessons in a way that a young adult or new missionary can understand and apply while pointing back to God’s Word as the only reliable foundation.

All right, we’re going to pick right back up where we left off. Then we’re going to give you an opportunity if you’ve got questions or you want to just talk about some stuff. I want to talk just a little bit more about this preparation.

Quote from Preacher

This opening line frames the practical tone of the message: Bro. Stacey intends to continue practical counsel and answer real questions. His approach models both teaching and mentoring—two essentials for mission-minded Christians.

Outline

Preparation and Provision
1. Resource Creation
  Bro. Stacey began creating written resources because necessity drove him to equip converts and seekers. Practical resources—tracts, short books, translated materials—multiply a missionary’s effectiveness. He wrote on baptism to help those from an infant-baptism culture understand believer’s baptism and had it translated into Afrikaans. He also wrote on tongues and healing to address charismatic practices common in the region.
2. Gather and Curate
  Use trusted resources (for example, mission- and doctrine-focused articles) to compile pamphlets, studies, and small books available for visitors. Display materials in an accessible way—Bro. Stacey used a Hallmark-card display stand for pamphlets. These materials help teach, defend the faith, and reduce repetitive explanations so the missionary can multiply their time.
3. Learn Practical Skills
  Missionaries often do everything: play instruments, design flyers, teach, and handle logistics. Learn graphic design, basic printing, music leadership (even simple piano or guitar), and how to prepare decent-looking bulletins. A poor song service or awkward music can deter attendance; good planning and skill help maintain order and invite people back.
Culture and Character
1. Culture Shock: Recognize and Recalibrate
  Culture shock happens everywhere—even between U.S. regions. Bro. Stacey describes real emotional responses to new settings (South Africa, Baltimore). The biblical remedy he and his wife used during deputation was Philippians 4:8—deliberately choosing to think on things that are true and lovely to avoid bitterness. This is spiritual discipline: choose what you dwell on.
2. Attitude Over Atmosphere
  Make a covenant with your spouse or team to avoid negative review and gossip about host churches or cultures. Instead, focus on being a blessing. A right attitude keeps ministry doors open and protects the missionary’s witness and spiritual health.
3. Reignite the Burden
  When routine dulls compassion, deliberately reignite your burden for the lost—visit needy places, remember scenes that stirred your heart, and do spiritual maintenance: read, attend conferences, or “iron sharpens iron” through fellowships.
Church Planting and Local Ownership
1. Start Small, Build Strong
  Bro. Stacey warns against starting a formal church with no discipleship nucleus. He started a rented building too soon and paid the price financially and administratively. A more biblical, sustainable approach is to begin with a home nucleus—discipleship, Bible study, and training—then expand as ownership grows.
2. Teach Ownership and Stewardship
  From the start, teach tithing, accountability, and stewardship. Let local members see their pastor give; shift financial responsibility to locals as soon as they can bear it. Use practical steps: show the rent, make clear the bills, and equip a couple (with integrity) to handle funds. Missionaries should avoid being the perpetual ATM.
3. Contextual Adaptation
  Each culture and country is different. In some places a house church is fine; in others house meetings are not the norm or are restricted. Adapt methods to the local culture and legal realities.
Training Nationals and Avoiding Pitfalls
1. Nationals Are Often Best Suited
  Locals are more effective: no culture shock, language barriers, and lower cost of living make nationals ideal church planters. The best model is to start a training center or Bible college and send trained nationals out as “spokes” from the hub.
2. Guard Against Corruption and Compromise
  However, training nationals requires careful discipleship in character and accountability. Large or sudden funds can corrupt; transparency, financial controls, and continued oversight are necessary. Ensure candidates demonstrate integrity, doctrine, and perseverance before releasing them to independent ministry.
Jail, Institution, and Local Outreach
1. Administrative Work and Local Partnerships
  Prison and institutional ministry require admin: tracking where prisoners will live, connecting them with churches, and understanding legal rules for visits and contact. Partner with local Bible colleges and pastors to provide preaching experience and continuity; it’s a win-win for practice and outreach.
2. Practical Tools and Publications
  Short, question-and-answer style booklets (such as Bro. Stacey’s youth prevention Q&A) are excellent handouts in schools and institutions. Concise answers to common spiritual questions help meet people where they are.
Financial Principles for Mission Work
1. Pay Upfront but Teach Transition
  Missionaries often fund initial costs: rent, tracts, Bibles, songbooks, etc. But a healthy plan moves local churches toward supporting their own ministry through teaching tithing and faithful stewardship rather than indefinite external subsidy.
2. Don’t Become an ATM
  Giving food or necessary items is sometimes appropriate, but avoid creating dependency that attracts people only for money. Encourage dignity and help that points to faith and discipleship rather than perpetual handouts.

Summary

Bro. Stacey’s counsel is practical and sobering. Effective missionary service requires careful preparation—both spiritual and practical—resolute attitudes shaped by Philippians 4:8, creative resource development, skill-building, cultural humility, and an intentional plan to raise and release nationals with sound character and accountability. Start small where necessary, teach financial ownership to the local church, avoid becoming the perpetual ATM, and protect your own heart from culture shock and spiritual numbness.

We did not have culture shock in Africa, meaning we didn’t sit around going, these stupid Africans. What in the world? We never had those moments. Never. And it was because we started when we were on deputation with the Philippians, chapter number four, verse number eight.

Quote to Ponder

This is a strong, practical testimony: the discipline of choosing what to think (Philippians 4:8) protected Bro. Stacey and his family from bitterness and cultural defeat. Let this guide your mindset when you face discomfort or differences in ministry.

Application for the Week

Choose at least three actionable steps from the list below. Make them practical, measurable, and begin immediately.

Create or Curate a Resource Packet
1. Action: Draft one short tract or Q&A (1–2 pages) on a common question in your community (e.g., “Why be baptized?”) and print 25 copies.
2. Why: Having printed materials saves you time and multiplies your witness. Bro. Stacey used booklets translated into local languages to answer recurring questions.
Practice Philippians 4:8 for One Week
1. Action: Each morning, read Philippians 4:8 aloud and write one thing you will intentionally think on from that verse that day. Before bed, record how doing this affected your attitude.
2. Why: This trains your mind against cultural resentment and helps maintain a sanctified outlook in ministry.
Learn One Practical Skill
1. Action: Choose a basic skill—simple graphic layout for a church flyer, basic audio or piano leading, or how to format a one-page bulletin—and spend three 30-minute sessions this week learning it (online tutorial or with a church member).
2. Why: Missionaries often wear many hats. A new practical skill increases your usefulness and credibility.
Plan a Local Ownership Conversation
1. Action: If you are leading a small group or church plant, schedule a short meeting to teach the biblical principle of tithing and stewardship. Prepare a simple transparency plan for one month of church expenses to present.
2. Why: Early teaching and modeling of stewardship helps transition local ownership and prevents dependency.
Connect with a National Training Option
1. Action: Identify a local Bible college or training program and ask whether their students would be available to preach in a nearby jail, outreach, or church meeting. Make one outreach contact this week by phone or email.
2. Why: Engaging students helps the institution, your outreach, and builds a sustainable pipeline of trained workers.

Pray over these steps and ask God to give wisdom, humility, and endurance. Mission work is equal parts gospel zeal and practical wisdom. Let Scripture shape your thinking, let service shape your hands, and let discipleship shape your plans.