Teaching for Missionaries – Part 1

Acts 11:19-26; Acts 13:1-3

Introduction

Title: Teaching for Missionaries – Part 1
Preacher: Bro. Stacey Shiflett

Missionary work is at once glorious and grueling. It is God’s work, and He calls many for this sacred task. Yet zeal without planning produces frustration and failure. Bro. Stacey Shiflett speaks from decades of experience—as a missionary kid, a missionary, a pastor, and a mentor—to remind us that biblical missions require realistic planning, careful disciple-making, and contextual understanding of the field. This sermon focuses on planning for the mission field: practical cautions, spiritual priorities, and steps to prepare before you go.

I’m on. I think I’m on. Yeah, I’m on. And in the spirit of full transparency, I didn’t ask to do this. He asked me to do this. Alright? And I’m honored that he did. But I don’t for one second think that I’ve got all the answers. In fact, I don’t even know all the questions. And I’m being super humble. I’m being honest. Missions is an amazing endeavor and.

Outline

The Nature of Missions: God’s Work, Not Ours to Improvise
1. God’s work requires intentionality
  Missions is a spiritual assignment. It must be approached with deliberate preparation, prayer, and scriptural priorities, not only sentiment or enthusiasm. Bro. Stacey reminded us, “When it comes to missions, obviously you know this. It’s the work of God.”
2. Zeal without planning leads to burnout
  Enthusiasm alone can’t sustain long-term ministry. Without realistic budgets, support, strategies, and discipleship plans, missionaries often suffer needless stress or failure.
Preparation Before Commission: Learn Before You Leap
1. Bible college is foundational but not exhaustive
  Classroom teaching builds a base, but hands-on experience teaches many practical skills. Bro. Stacey compared learning in a classroom to learning to build a deck—you must do it to master it. Internship and mentoring are invaluable.
2. Internship and apprenticeship
  Working with an experienced pastor/missionary for one or two years (as Bro. Stacey did with his son-in-law) equips a person in logistics, scheduling, people skills, follow up, and practical construction—skills that strengthen future ministry on the field.
Realistic Planning: Finances, Logistics, and Expectations
1. Raise adequate support
  Do not go under-supported as a virtue. Financial strain undermines ministry and marriage. Know real costs—housing, utilities, transportation, groceries—before leaving.
2. Survey trips and homework
  Visit the city or region before you move. Talk to nationals and missionaries there. Learn rental prices, security considerations, and living conditions. A short-term trip can prevent years of needless hardship.
3. Pack and provision strategically
  Use deputation time to gather the resources (Bibles, tracts, literature, tools, medical items) that will be costly or unavailable overseas. Plan containers, shipping, and inventory.
Clear Mission Objectives: One Step at a Time
1. Define the objective—disciple making, not just numbers
  Vague ambitions like “start churches” without a plan to make disciples are unrealistic. Break the work into clear, achievable steps: win individuals, disciple them, form a nucleus, then constitute a church.
2. Be patient—church planting is often a long work
  Some works take many years to bear fruit. Bro. Stacey shared a missionary who labored ten years before seeing his first indigenous church constituted. Knowing the time frame prevents discouragement.
Disciple Making: The Priority of Lasting Work
1. Quality over quantity
  Professions without follow-up and growth is not biblical discipleship. Thousands of quick professions without baptism or life change prove hollow and can be spiritually dangerous.
2. Teach them to observe all things
  Christ commissioned not merely to teach doctrines but to teach people to obey—”teach them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:20) Discipleship means practice, accountability, and modeling over time.
3. Build churches from trained believers
  Indigenous, self-supporting, self-governing churches come from intentional discipleship—not from buildings or numbers. The Antioch example (Acts 11–13) shows discipleship producing teachers and sending churches.
Know the Field: Culture, Language, and Local Dynamics
1. Every field is different
  Approach each culture with humility. What works in one region will not automatically work in another. Learn the history, politics, economy, and worldview of the people you will serve.
2. Language and communication
  Learn the language at least conversationally. Speaking even basic phrases wins hearts and prevents misunderstandings. Avoid idioms and slang that won’t translate. Bro. Stacey emphasized that communication is central to effective ministry.
3. Cultural adaptation without compromise
  Become “all things to all men” as Paul said (1 Corinthians 9:22), adapting mannerisms and methods to reach people while never compromising the truth of Scripture.
Practical Ministry Skills: Logistics, Coordination, and Everyday Tasks
1. Administration and events
  Coordinating sports, classes, schedules, and outreach are mission work. These “secular” skills are ministry enablers—planning calendars, logistics, and follow-up systems matter greatly.
2. Handyman skills and resourcefulness
  Construction, fixing things, and being willing to work with your hands serve the local church and win respect. Many missionaries must manage churches, properties, and repairs themselves.
3. Family readiness
  Prepare spouses and children for culture shock, schooling, and daily life. The field affects families deeply, so discuss expectations and practical realities before departure.
Preparation Produces Sending Churches
1. Start locally by doing the work you hope to do abroad
  Paul and Barnabas ministered in their local church, discipled converts, and then were sent. If you are not engaged in disciple-making at home, you will likely not do it overseas.
2. Send churches should be reproducing churches
  A sending church should aim to produce leaders who can be sent out. Train so that a church four years later could be strong enough to send others.

Summary

Bro. Stacey Shiflett calls missionaries to marry zeal with wisdom. Missions is God’s work and must be planned—spiritually and practically. Bible training gives a foundation but hands-on experience, realistic planning, contextual learning, and an intense commitment to disciple-making produce lasting results. Whether your field is a prison, an African village, or a European city, prepare, learn the people, set clear mission objectives, raise sufficient support, and plan to make disciples who will form indigenous, self-governing churches. Remember Antioch: people were discipled until they could become a sending church.

I didn’t come in here this morning assuming to teach you anything. I want to encourage you. I want to challenge you to do all that God’s called you to do. Here’s what I’m going to do. I’ve got three different lectures and I’m going to let y’ all pick which one y’ all want to hear.

Application for the Week

Practical, actionable steps you can take this week to move toward biblical, well-planned missionary service or to better support missionaries.

Begin an intentional survey plan
If you are considering a field, schedule a short survey trip. If that is not possible, set up at least three conversations with missionaries already on the field and ask about housing, living costs, language, and cultural barriers. Document the answers.
Start a realistic budget
Make a real budget for living costs (rent, utilities, food, transportation, contingencies). Compare that with averages from nationals or other missionaries. Use these figures in your deputation and avoid under-raising support.
Identify disciple-making steps
Write out a 12–36 month discipleship plan you would pursue on the field: specific Bible lessons, accountability processes, leadership training outline, and how you will transition to an indigenous leader.
Develop one practical skill
Choose a hands-on skill to learn or improve in the next month (basic carpentry, plumbing, first aid, or a planning/administration skill). Sign up for a class, help a church member, or shadow someone competent for several Saturday sessions.
Begin language practice
Find basic language resources (apps, phrasebooks, local speakers) and learn greetings, common courtesies, and simple evangelistic phrases. Practice 10–15 minutes daily. Even small progress will open doors.
Create a mission supplies inventory
Decide what literature, tools, and supplies you will need and create a checklist. Start gathering denominations of Bibles, tracts, teaching curricula, and durable tools. Use deputation time to collect what you can and plan shipping.
Engage a mentor
Ask a seasoned missionary or pastor to mentor you. Seek an internship, apprenticeship, or at least structured visits so you can learn the rhythms of real field ministry.

Brothers and sisters, let your passion be guided by wisdom. Pray, prepare, and plan. The Great Commission is a sacred calling—carry it with patience, persistence, and practical preparation so your labor will not be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).