Having a passion for spreading the Love of God is the basics of mission you need in one sense. But there is little doubt, having an understanding of what you are about, prepares you much better.
A diploma in theology helped open my eyes. Yet, as much as I value my education it’s not the only way to get the knowledge that you need to do mission.
Basics of Mission & Passion For Evangelism
I remember when I was much younger, just starting to express my passion for evangelism, being told by my elders that I wasn’t allowed to do most things because I did not have a theological education.
When I questioned why I was given many answers. However, the one that irritated me the most was, “Jesus gave his disciples 4 years of training before he set his disciples loose on the world”.
“But Jesus is not dead!” I would object.
Can I tell you that church politics is a fickle thing? If you want to achieve something in a conservative church showing your elders up for their flawed theology is not the best way to do it.
It is true that Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, has never stopped teaching his children. But the statement about “4 years” is just not true. Jesus put his disciples through an apprenticeship, not a theological college. They were out in the field almost from the very start of Jesus’ own ministry.
Speaking Humbly
Don’t let anybody stop you from telling others about the God you love, no matter how little you know. As long as you are speaking humbly from what you know, acknowledging your lack of knowledge, the rest is up to God. Because He loves you, you will get educated whether you like it or not. If you belong to Him and are filled with the Holy Spirit. Because that is what the Holy Spirit does.
It is even more the case if you live in a first-world country. You don’t have to go to bible college, though it usually helps to get a theological education. Let alone go on mission. There are books, Short courses, Short term missions, your church in a pinch if you’ve got good leadership and now there is the internet.
You have to wonder, what is holding you back?
Enjoy
Richard
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