Penetrating Missions’ Final Frontier Tetsunao Yamamori 1993

Introduction: The Opportunity Ration of Christians to Non-Christians in 1900 was 50 to 1 Ration of Christians to Non-Christians in 1900 was 50 to 1 In 1994 it had dropped to 7 to 1 In 1994 it had dropped to 7 to to 1993 at least 100,000 new missionaries and para-missionaries flooded into Russia 1989 to 1993 at least 100,000 new missionaries and para-missionaries flooded into Russia The number of unreached people groups had been drastically reduced. In 1995 there were Today about ???? The number of unreached people groups had been drastically reduced. In 1995 there were Today about ????

Three Obstacles in the Way Poor Targeting Poor Targeting –Only about 1% of missionary resources are targeted at World A –The Church spends 99.9% of its resources on itself rather than on mission Key Specialists Missing To Penetrate areas that are resistant to the gospel and where the quality of life is low. Key Specialists Missing To Penetrate areas that are resistant to the gospel and where the quality of life is low. New Strategic Shift is Needed – the shift must be made more deliberately New Strategic Shift is Needed – the shift must be made more deliberately

Mandate for Global Mission (1) Some Definitions Evangelization – the proclamation of the gospel Evangelization – the proclamation of the gospel Evangelized – “the state or having the good news spread or offered; the state of being aware of Christianity, Christ and the gospel.” World Christian Encyclopedia Evangelized – “the state or having the good news spread or offered; the state of being aware of Christianity, Christ and the gospel.” World Christian Encyclopedia Evangelized Country – “one in which more than half the members have had an opportunity to hear or read some of the key elements of the gospel. They have not necessarily been converted.” Evangelized Country – “one in which more than half the members have had an opportunity to hear or read some of the key elements of the gospel. They have not necessarily been converted.”

More Definitions for Mission (1) Reached – a people who have a viable indigenous church “with adequate numbers and resources to evangelize this people group without requiring outside (cross-cultural) assistance.” Reached – a people who have a viable indigenous church “with adequate numbers and resources to evangelize this people group without requiring outside (cross-cultural) assistance.” Christ Groups – house churches and other groups that serve as the church alternative in a restrictive access nation. Christ Groups – house churches and other groups that serve as the church alternative in a restrictive access nation. People Group – a grouping of individuals who perceive themselves as having a common affinity to one another. People Group – a grouping of individuals who perceive themselves as having a common affinity to one another.

More Definitions For Mission (1) Restricted – people groups and nations that traditional missionaries will have difficulty accessing. Restricted – people groups and nations that traditional missionaries will have difficulty accessing. Conversion – bringing people to faith and obedience in Christ (Rom. 16:26) Conversion – bringing people to faith and obedience in Christ (Rom. 16:26)

Yamamori’s Thesis (3) There is a need for 600,000 new missionaries that he calls, “God’s Special Envoys” There is a need for 600,000 new missionaries that he calls, “God’s Special Envoys” –Called to people who are spiritually and physically hungry. (Tentmaking through relief and development platform) –Trained in a new more intense and specialized model

Qualifications for the Envoys Bible training Bible training Long term and low profile evangelistic skills Long term and low profile evangelistic skills Skills that can contribute to the society to which they plan to work Skills that can contribute to the society to which they plan to work Able to live under restricted and difficult circumstances Able to live under restricted and difficult circumstances Ability to deal with social isolation Ability to deal with social isolation

More Qualifications for Envoys Ability to be a self starter Ability to be a self starter Flexibility – ability to work with what they find in the situation Flexibility – ability to work with what they find in the situation Ability to work from within local structures Ability to work from within local structures Deep spiritual walk with Jesus Deep spiritual walk with Jesus Healthy self-esteem Healthy self-esteem Ability to manage mood swings Ability to manage mood swings

Tentmakers Who Are Effective They had a deep sense of calling They had a deep sense of calling They had experience in evangelism before they went to the field They had experience in evangelism before they went to the field They had a passion to share the gospel with others They had a passion to share the gospel with others They had strong relationships with a supporting church at home They had strong relationships with a supporting church at home

Mission Skills Required Ability to articulate possible strategies for entering a restricted people group. Ability to articulate possible strategies for entering a restricted people group. Ability to articulate and some experience with the dynamics of cross-cultural communication. Ability to articulate and some experience with the dynamics of cross-cultural communication. Ability to articulate strategies for organizing and perpetuating a Christ group in a restrictive context. Ability to articulate strategies for organizing and perpetuating a Christ group in a restrictive context. Ability to articulate the key religious beliefs, values and traditions of the group they will work with. Ability to articulate the key religious beliefs, values and traditions of the group they will work with. Ability to learn the local language Ability to learn the local language Awareness of some of the potential ethical dilemmas that they are likely to face Awareness of some of the potential ethical dilemmas that they are likely to face

Passport Skills Technical Experts Technical Experts –Engineers –Computer / software operators Teachers Teachers –ESL –University Business People Business People –Agriculture –Trade –Manufacturing

The Basic Strategy (6) Nine Points Vision / Call Vision / Call Identification - research Identification - research Prayer – home church participation Prayer – home church participation Adoption – of a people group Adoption – of a people group Mobilization - Mobilization -

The Basic Strategy (6) Nine Points Training – But what kind? Training – But what kind? Engagement with the people in terms of their physical and spiritual needs with a view to establishing an indigenous local Christ group Engagement with the people in terms of their physical and spiritual needs with a view to establishing an indigenous local Christ group Assessment of what is being accomplished Assessment of what is being accomplished Partnership with the local church Partnership with the local church

Other Key Ideas (6) Relationship evangelism – the vast majority of Christians were brought to the Lord through someone significant in their lives: a person close friend, a person of status in their community or a family member Relationship evangelism – the vast majority of Christians were brought to the Lord through someone significant in their lives: a person close friend, a person of status in their community or a family member Think small – low profile Think small – low profile Think informal / low structured organization Think informal / low structured organization Accepting local culture / values Accepting local culture / values Respecting local government and church administration (while maintaining your freedom to act missionally) Respecting local government and church administration (while maintaining your freedom to act missionally)

Am You Ready? Think about your own personal strengths and weaknesses, ministry experiences and gifting. Think about your own personal strengths and weaknesses, ministry experiences and gifting. Do you feel that you are ready or close to being ready to serve as a Tentmaker? Do you feel that you are ready or close to being ready to serve as a Tentmaker? What do you still need to do to prepare yourself? What do you still need to do to prepare yourself? What steps can you plan to take now that will ensure you preparation? What steps can you plan to take now that will ensure you preparation?