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HeartCry Missionary Society
  • About
    • Who We Are
      • HeartCry at a Glance
      • History of HeartCry
      • Mission Statement
      • The HeartCry Missionary Society Statement of Faith
      • Core Convictions
      • Oversight and Accountability
      • Staff
    • What We Do
      • Indigenous Missions
        • Comparative Strategies
        • The Advantages
        • Governing Principles
        • Missionary Selection and Accountability
        • Our Ministry Focus
      • Equipping Missionaries
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        • Literature Distribution
        • Theological Education
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        • Missionary Support
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        • Ministry Tools
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Doctrine In Life Article

Article 36: The Church —The Ordainer of Missions—

4月 01, 2021 Series HeartCry Guide to Missions

HeartCry Guide to Missions

36/40
40
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

Article 40: Planting Biblical Churches

5月 13, 2021 Missions + 2 More
Article 40: Planting Biblical Churches
39
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 39: Characteristics of a Biblical Church

4月 22, 2021 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 39: Characteristics of a Biblical Church
38
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 38: The Church —The Sender of Missionaries (continued)—

4月 15, 2021 The Great Commission + 2 More
ARTICLE 38: The Church —The Sender of Missionaries (continued)—
37
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

Article 37: The Church —The Sender of Missionaries—

4月 08, 2021
Article 37: The Church —The Sender of Missionaries—
36
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

Article 36: The Church —The Ordainer of Missions—

4月 01, 2021
Article 36: The Church —The Ordainer of Missions—
35
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 35: The Church — The Incubator and Training Ground of Missionaries

3月 25, 2021
ARTICLE 35: The Church — The Incubator and Training Ground of Missionaries
34
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 34: The Church and the Great Commission in the Book of Acts

3月 18, 2021 Polity + 3 More
ARTICLE 34: The Church and the Great Commission in the Book of Acts
33
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 33: The Centrality of the Church in the Great Commission

3月 11, 2021 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 33: The Centrality of the Church in the Great Commission
32
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 32: The Prominence of Preaching —Why the Silence—

3月 04, 2021 Preaching + 2 More
ARTICLE 32: The Prominence of Preaching —Why the Silence—
31
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 31: The Prominence of Preaching in the Epistles

2月 26, 2021 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 31: The Prominence of Preaching in the Epistles
30
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 30: The Prominence of Preaching in the Book of Acts

2月 18, 2021 The Great Commission + 5 More
ARTICLE 30: The Prominence of Preaching in the Book of Acts
29
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 29: Pentecost and Us

2月 11, 2021 Tongues + 7 More
ARTICLE 29: Pentecost and Us
28
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 28: The Central Promise of Pentecost

12月 17, 2020 The Trinity + 5 More
ARTICLE 28: The Central Promise of Pentecost
27
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 27: The Necessity of the Spirit

12月 03, 2020 The Great Commission + 2 More
ARTICLE 27: The Necessity of the Spirit
26
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 26: The Power of Prayer

11月 19, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 26: The Power of Prayer
25
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 25: Biblical Fidelity and Cultural Sensitivity

10月 26, 2020 The Great Commission + 5 More
ARTICLE 25: Biblical Fidelity and Cultural Sensitivity
24
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 24: Biblical Methodology — According to the Pattern

10月 22, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 24: Biblical Methodology — According to the Pattern
23
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 23: Biblical Methodology—Rules of Conduct

10月 19, 2020 The Great Commission + 2 More
ARTICLE 23: Biblical Methodology—Rules of Conduct
22
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 22—Biblical Methodology: Doers of the Word

10月 15, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 22—Biblical Methodology: Doers of the Word
21
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 21: Biblical Methodology — The Great Error

10月 12, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 21: Biblical Methodology — The Great Error
20
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 20: The Tale of Two Cities

10月 08, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 20: The Tale of Two Cities
19
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 19: Sola Scriptura

10月 05, 2020 The Great Commission + 5 More
ARTICLE 19: Sola Scriptura
18
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 18: The Sufficiency of the Scriptures

10月 01, 2020 The Sufficiency of Scripture + 3 More
ARTICLE 18: The Sufficiency of the Scriptures
17
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 17: The Primacy of Gospel

9月 28, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 17: The Primacy of Gospel
16
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 16: A SUMMARY OF THE GREAT COMMISSION —RANGE OF ACTIVITIES—

9月 21, 2020 Witnessing + 9 More
ARTICLE 16: A SUMMARY OF THE GREAT COMMISSION —RANGE OF ACTIVITIES—
15
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 15: A Summary of the Great Commission —Message and Purpose—

9月 18, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 15: A Summary of the Great Commission —Message and Purpose—
14
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 14: A Summary of the Great Commission —Authorization and Sphere of Ministry—

9月 14, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 14: A Summary of the Great Commission —Authorization and Sphere of Ministry—
13
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 13: The Missionary-Teacher

9月 10, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 13: The Missionary-Teacher
12
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 12: The Missionary-Theologian

9月 03, 2020 Theology + 4 More
ARTICLE 12: The Missionary-Theologian
11
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE ELEVEN: Missions as a Theological Endeavor

8月 31, 2020 Theology + 5 More
ARTICLE ELEVEN: Missions as a Theological Endeavor
10
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE TEN: The Means of the Great Commission —Going, Baptizing, Teaching—

8月 27, 2020 William Carey + 5 More
ARTICLE TEN: The Means of the Great Commission —Going, Baptizing, Teaching—
9
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 9: The Great Commission and the Extent of Discipleship

8月 24, 2020 Nations + 3 More
ARTICLE 9: The Great Commission and the Extent of Discipleship
8
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 8: The Great Commission & the Character of Discipleship

8月 20, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 8: The Great Commission & the Character of Discipleship
7
Compass 2946959 1920

Article 7: THE GREAT COMMISSION AND THE GOAL OF DISCIPLESHIP

8月 17, 2020 The Great Commission + 6 More
Article 7: THE GREAT COMMISSION AND THE GOAL OF DISCIPLESHIP
6
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 6: Going Out Under Christ’s Authority

8月 13, 2020 The Sufficiency of Scripture + 4 More
ARTICLE 6: Going Out Under Christ’s Authority
5
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 5: Going Out In Christ’s Authority

8月 10, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 5: Going Out In Christ’s Authority
4
Compass 2946959 1920

Article Four: THE AUTHORITY BEHIND THE GREAT COMMISSION

8月 06, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
Article Four: THE AUTHORITY BEHIND THE GREAT COMMISSION
3
Compass 2946959 1920

Article Three: THE GREAT COMMISSION AND THE GREATEST COMMAND

8月 03, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
Article Three: THE GREAT COMMISSION AND THE GREATEST COMMAND
2
Compass 2946959 1920

Article Two: THE NEED & THE OPPORTUNITY

7月 30, 2020
Article Two: THE NEED & THE OPPORTUNITY
1
Compass 2946959 1920

Article One: A WORD TO ASPIRING MISSIONARIES

7月 27, 2020
Article One: A WORD TO ASPIRING MISSIONARIES
Article 36: The Church —The Ordainer of Missions—

Paul David Washer

Paul David Washer

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.”

– Matthew 28:19

“The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

– II Timothy 2:2

“Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.”

– I Timothy 5:22

Thus far, we have learned that the local church and its elders are responsible for the training and oversight of those in their ranks who demonstrate a calling to the mission field. Now we will turn our attention toward the approval or ordination of those who are called.

The first thing that we must establish is that the ordination of missionaries has been given to the local church. Thus, the missionary should be ordained and sent out by the local church that has overseen his training and will hold him accountable on the field. This truth is beautifully illustrated in the “sending out” of Barnabas and Paul on their first missionary journey by the church in Antioch. In Acts 13:3, we read, “Then, when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.” 

The second thing that we must establish is that the ordination of a missionary is a very serious or solemn event for the church and its elders. In I Timothy 5:22, Paul gave Timothy the following warning:

“Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.”  

In the immediate context, Paul is referring to the ordination of elders, but the same principle applies to the ordination of missionaries. The rule to remember is that the sending church and its elders will not only be reckoned in the reward of the good fruit that will come from the missionary’s life and ministry, but to some degree will also be responsible for the missionary’s sins, doctrinal errors, and mishandling of the church. Only those who are dull of hearing or without the fear of the Lord could read such a warning and not be impacted by the solemnity of it. And yet, far too many are far too hasty to ordain or be ordained, not fully understanding the dangerous predicament in which they have placed themselves.

In light of Paul’s solemn warning to Timothy, elders would do well to study and strictly adhere to the biblical standard by which a missionary candidate should be approved or disapproved. This standard is found in I Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. From both letters, it is obvious that the Apostle Paul had sent Timothy to Ephesus1 and Titus to Crete2 for the purpose of “setting in order” the churches and “appointing elders in every city.” Therefore, it should be of no surprise that in both letters, Paul’s sets forth a lengthy list of non-negotiable qualifications for an elder.3 

At this point, the reader may wonder how the qualifications of an elder may appropriately be applied to a missionary. However, the confusion clears when we understand the following. First, in these lists of qualifications, Paul is simply describing a mature Christian. It is as though he was saying to Timothy and Titus, “An elder must be a mature Christian and this is what a mature Christian looks like.” Secondly, do we really think that a missionary ought to be judged by a standard that is doctrinally and morally inferior to that of an elder? The missionary may be sent out to a region where he will be the only Christian voice or influence, and the church that he plants may be the only Christian community. In such a case, his doctrine and ethic may influence an entire people group or nation for good or evil. Do we really think it is wise to send a man to carry out such a task who would not qualify to be an elder in the church from which he is sent! 

It is encouraging and praiseworthy that so many churches, missionary conferences, and websites are calling people to consider the mission field. But in the midst of so much talk about “passion”, we would do well to remember “caution.”4 In chapter three of Paul’s first letter to Timothy, he wrote, “If any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work that he desires to do.”5 But then he followed with a list of non-negotiable character qualities that a man must meet before he can enter into the role of an elder. The same may be said regarding the aspiring missionary. It is a noble thing to desire to be a missionary, but desire is not enough. A person must bear the character traits of a mature Christian! This is one of the reasons why the missionary’s preparation must be under the watchful eye of the elders and in the midst of the congregation. Top grades in the seminary do not ensure qualification for eldership or the mission field, but rather sound doctrine and Christ-like character.

  1. I Timothy 1:3
  2. Titus 1:5
  3. I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9
  4. I borrow this warning from a conversation with my friend and co-laborer John Snyder of Christ Church New Albany
  5. 1 Timothy 3:1

Author

More By Paul David Washer

Paul David Washer

Paul is the founder of HeartCry Missionary Society and currently serves as its missions director. He also ministered as a missionary in Peru for ten years. He has preached hundreds of sermons and has authored a dozen published works. Paul lives in Radford, Virginia, with his wife Charo and their four children: Ian, Evan, Rowan, and Bronwyn.

More By Paul David Washer

HeartCry Guide to Missions

36/40
40
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

Article 40: Planting Biblical Churches

5月 13, 2021 Missions + 2 More
Article 40: Planting Biblical Churches
39
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 39: Characteristics of a Biblical Church

4月 22, 2021 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 39: Characteristics of a Biblical Church
38
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 38: The Church —The Sender of Missionaries (continued)—

4月 15, 2021 The Great Commission + 2 More
ARTICLE 38: The Church —The Sender of Missionaries (continued)—
37
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

Article 37: The Church —The Sender of Missionaries—

4月 08, 2021
Article 37: The Church —The Sender of Missionaries—
36
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

Article 36: The Church —The Ordainer of Missions—

4月 01, 2021
Article 36: The Church —The Ordainer of Missions—
35
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 35: The Church — The Incubator and Training Ground of Missionaries

3月 25, 2021
ARTICLE 35: The Church — The Incubator and Training Ground of Missionaries
34
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 34: The Church and the Great Commission in the Book of Acts

3月 18, 2021 Polity + 3 More
ARTICLE 34: The Church and the Great Commission in the Book of Acts
33
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 33: The Centrality of the Church in the Great Commission

3月 11, 2021 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 33: The Centrality of the Church in the Great Commission
32
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 32: The Prominence of Preaching —Why the Silence—

3月 04, 2021 Preaching + 2 More
ARTICLE 32: The Prominence of Preaching —Why the Silence—
31
Hc Guide To Missions (3)

ARTICLE 31: The Prominence of Preaching in the Epistles

2月 26, 2021 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 31: The Prominence of Preaching in the Epistles
30
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 30: The Prominence of Preaching in the Book of Acts

2月 18, 2021 The Great Commission + 5 More
ARTICLE 30: The Prominence of Preaching in the Book of Acts
29
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 29: Pentecost and Us

2月 11, 2021 Tongues + 7 More
ARTICLE 29: Pentecost and Us
28
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 28: The Central Promise of Pentecost

12月 17, 2020 The Trinity + 5 More
ARTICLE 28: The Central Promise of Pentecost
27
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 27: The Necessity of the Spirit

12月 03, 2020 The Great Commission + 2 More
ARTICLE 27: The Necessity of the Spirit
26
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 26: The Power of Prayer

11月 19, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 26: The Power of Prayer
25
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 25: Biblical Fidelity and Cultural Sensitivity

10月 26, 2020 The Great Commission + 5 More
ARTICLE 25: Biblical Fidelity and Cultural Sensitivity
24
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 24: Biblical Methodology — According to the Pattern

10月 22, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 24: Biblical Methodology — According to the Pattern
23
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 23: Biblical Methodology—Rules of Conduct

10月 19, 2020 The Great Commission + 2 More
ARTICLE 23: Biblical Methodology—Rules of Conduct
22
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 22—Biblical Methodology: Doers of the Word

10月 15, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 22—Biblical Methodology: Doers of the Word
21
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 21: Biblical Methodology — The Great Error

10月 12, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 21: Biblical Methodology — The Great Error
20
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 20: The Tale of Two Cities

10月 08, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 20: The Tale of Two Cities
19
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 19: Sola Scriptura

10月 05, 2020 The Great Commission + 5 More
ARTICLE 19: Sola Scriptura
18
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 18: The Sufficiency of the Scriptures

10月 01, 2020 The Sufficiency of Scripture + 3 More
ARTICLE 18: The Sufficiency of the Scriptures
17
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 17: The Primacy of Gospel

9月 28, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 17: The Primacy of Gospel
16
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 16: A SUMMARY OF THE GREAT COMMISSION —RANGE OF ACTIVITIES—

9月 21, 2020 Witnessing + 9 More
ARTICLE 16: A SUMMARY OF THE GREAT COMMISSION —RANGE OF ACTIVITIES—
15
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 15: A Summary of the Great Commission —Message and Purpose—

9月 18, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
ARTICLE 15: A Summary of the Great Commission —Message and Purpose—
14
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 14: A Summary of the Great Commission —Authorization and Sphere of Ministry—

9月 14, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 14: A Summary of the Great Commission —Authorization and Sphere of Ministry—
13
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 13: The Missionary-Teacher

9月 10, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 13: The Missionary-Teacher
12
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 12: The Missionary-Theologian

9月 03, 2020 Theology + 4 More
ARTICLE 12: The Missionary-Theologian
11
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE ELEVEN: Missions as a Theological Endeavor

8月 31, 2020 Theology + 5 More
ARTICLE ELEVEN: Missions as a Theological Endeavor
10
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE TEN: The Means of the Great Commission —Going, Baptizing, Teaching—

8月 27, 2020 William Carey + 5 More
ARTICLE TEN: The Means of the Great Commission —Going, Baptizing, Teaching—
9
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 9: The Great Commission and the Extent of Discipleship

8月 24, 2020 Nations + 3 More
ARTICLE 9: The Great Commission and the Extent of Discipleship
8
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 8: The Great Commission & the Character of Discipleship

8月 20, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 8: The Great Commission & the Character of Discipleship
7
Compass 2946959 1920

Article 7: THE GREAT COMMISSION AND THE GOAL OF DISCIPLESHIP

8月 17, 2020 The Great Commission + 6 More
Article 7: THE GREAT COMMISSION AND THE GOAL OF DISCIPLESHIP
6
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 6: Going Out Under Christ’s Authority

8月 13, 2020 The Sufficiency of Scripture + 4 More
ARTICLE 6: Going Out Under Christ’s Authority
5
Compass 2946959 1920

ARTICLE 5: Going Out In Christ’s Authority

8月 10, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
ARTICLE 5: Going Out In Christ’s Authority
4
Compass 2946959 1920

Article Four: THE AUTHORITY BEHIND THE GREAT COMMISSION

8月 06, 2020 The Great Commission + 3 More
Article Four: THE AUTHORITY BEHIND THE GREAT COMMISSION
3
Compass 2946959 1920

Article Three: THE GREAT COMMISSION AND THE GREATEST COMMAND

8月 03, 2020 The Great Commission + 4 More
Article Three: THE GREAT COMMISSION AND THE GREATEST COMMAND
2
Compass 2946959 1920

Article Two: THE NEED & THE OPPORTUNITY

7月 30, 2020
Article Two: THE NEED & THE OPPORTUNITY
1
Compass 2946959 1920

Article One: A WORD TO ASPIRING MISSIONARIES

7月 27, 2020
Article One: A WORD TO ASPIRING MISSIONARIES

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