Mark Snowden challenges the idea that everyone is a missionary, asserting that while all missionaries are evangelizers, not all evangelizers are missionaries. He defines missionaries as those who intentionally cross cultural, linguistic, or geographical barriers to spread the gospel. He contrasts missionary thinking with evangelism thinking, which focuses on witnessing to bring people into one's own church.
Snowden recalls being tasked with helping churches in the Cincinnati Area Baptist Association (CABA) adopt a missional approach, focusing on sending out rather than just attracting people. Over the past eight years, he has seen pastors embrace this approach, asking where the greatest needs are and planning mission trips.
He argues that church members should be trained as missionaries, not just taught in Sunday School to passively absorb information. Drawing from his experience as a trainer at the International Mission Board (IMB), Snowden outlines seven missionary lifestyles and habits:
Snowden concludes by emphasizing that living as a missionary starts with one's current life, family, job, church, and schedule. The Holy Spirit is ready to equip believers for missionary work, urging them to take action now.
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