From The Coordinator
Missions Is All About Theology
Recently I had a conversation with some men who suggested that theology had very little to do with church planting or the advancement of missions. In fact, they seemed to think that theology may be a real hindrance to the process. Nothing could be further from the truth. The problem is how we think about theology. If theology is only information contained in thick, dusty books or the stuff that theologians contend over, then there may be some truth to the position of these men. If, on the other hand, theology is one's pursuit of the knowledge of God and a personal relationship with Him, then theology is the bedrock of all that we do.
When we as believers wake up in the morning, the thought that should come to us is this is the day that the Lord has made. This is theology in practice. When we struggle with things throughout the day, we ought to remember what suffering He endured on the cross to save us. When God causes pleasant things to occupy our hours, we ought to remember what Paul says: “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say rejoice.”
Ministry is a biblical mandate, and it must always be done in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. If that is not central to everything we do, then all that we do may look good but its impact on people's lives is hollow and short-lived. Theology is not dusty and ethereal speculation. It is the process of inviting God into our lives in significant and practical ways.
The economic crisis we have faced in recent years is a good case in point. Had we kept the gospel before us, we would have challenged the greed that is so prevalent in all of our hearts. The gospel teaches us that you cannot build prosperity by borrowing too much, lending too much, and spending too much. Sadly, we're now going to try to solve this crisis by repeating the same mistakes. There are so many passages in the Bible that teach us that it will not work.
Paul applied lessons related to this issue in his own life when he writes in Philippians 4 that he had learned how to live when he had much and he had learned how to live when he had little. Then he teaches that this is not simply an economic lesson, but it is a matter of theology. He writes one of the best known verses in the Bible, one that we use in so many other contexts, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” It is Christ who guides us. It is Christ who continually reminds us of our sinful and fallen ways. And it is Christ who forgives us and brings us back into a personal relationship with the Father. This is what theology is all about.
Mission Sending Agency of the PCA MTW advances the work of the body of Christ worldwide through a wide variety of word and deed ministries by identifying, selecting, training and sending men and women and integrating these into church-planting movements. We minister among unreached people groups in world-class cities as well as hinterland areas, partnering with national churches and indigenous leaders whenever possible. MTW also partners with local PCA churches to glorify God through the discovery and engagement of their unique potential, purpose and passion for cross-cultural ministry.
Reformed and Covenantal
MTW upholds the doctrines of sovereign grace and the truth that God saves His people as described in the Westminster Standards. The Holy Scriptures are inerrant and authoritative, relating the reliable history of God’s covenantal relationship with His children. In regard to that relationship, it is clear that missions is a divine enterprise in which God commands and graciously accepts the obedience of His children. Our foundation for missions is the dual truth that God chose in eternity those who will be saved and that He also uses us as instruments in the process of saving them.
Church Planting Movements
A church-planting movement is a Spirit-directed, vision-driven, sustained expansion of Christ's Kingdom among a particular geographic or ethnic people. This is accomplished through indigenously led churches resulting in ongoing church multiplication and renewal that significantly impacts all levels of society-spiritually, socially and culturally. We will advance church-planting movements by partnering with an existing group or denomination that is Reformed and covenantal. When there is no such group we may establish a new Reformed and covenantal denomination. As the Holy Spirit leads we will also take opportunities to impact others from our Reformed and covenantal perspective.
MTW believes that the Church is God's instrument to complete the missionary task. Our approach is to advance movements of the gospel through the planting of self-propagating, self-supporting, and self-governing churches, which live out a dynamic Reformed and covenantal faith through trained and empowered leadership.
Word And Deed
Word: the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ in all of its fullness.
Deed: the demonstration of the gospel of Jesus Christ through meeting physical, emotional, social or cultural needs, in the context of church planting.
A Synopsis of the Beliefs of the Presbyterian Church in America
The Bible is the inspired and inerrant Word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice.
There is one God, eternal and self-existing in three persons (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) who are to be equally loved, honored, and adored.
All mankind participated in Adam's fall from his original sinless state and is thus lost in sin and totally helpless.
The Sovereign God, for no other reason than His own unfathomable love and mercy, has chosen lost sinners from every nation to be redeemed by the quickening power of the Holy Spirit and through the atoning death and resurrection of His son, Jesus Christ.
Those sinners whom the Spirit quickens, come to believe in Christ as Savior by the Word of God, are born again, become sons of God, and will persevere to the end.
Justification is by faith and through it the undeserving sinner is clothed with the righteousness of Christ.
The goal of God's salvation in the life of the Christian is holiness, good works, and service for the glory of God.
At death the Christian's soul passes immediately into the presence of God and the unbeliever's soul is eternally separated from God unto condemnation.
Baptism is a sign of God's covenant and is properly administered to children of believers in their infancy as well as to those who come as adults to trust in Christ.
Jesus Christ will return to earth, visibly and bodily, at a time when He is not expected, to consummate history and the eternal plan of God.
The gospel of God's salvation in Jesus Christ must be published to all the world as a witness before Jesus Christ returns.
Our Core Values
God's Glory
We desire above all else to bring praise and worship to the triune God among all peoples, arising from the God-centered nature of our Reformed and covenantal theology.
God's Grace
We seek to live humbly and authentically before God and man, exemplifying integrity and accountability, because Christ is our only hope and help.
God's Church
We believe in the centrality of the local church as the primary instrument for advancing God’s Kingdom.
God's Family
We encourage the open communication and mutual trust that are to be found within God’s covenant community, and we seek to empower individuals for team-based ministry strategies.
God's Wisdom
We strive to establish a culture of continual Christ-centered learning throughout every part of the MTW community.