Planting Churches Among the City's Poor - Volume 2

P ART I: C OACHING U RBAN C HURCH P LANTERS • 103

of the Lord, and see how they are.” Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord.

b. The truth of the matter: The call of God superintends all the mistakes and weaknesses of the truly called missionary.

The Call of God Is the Decisive Factor in All Missionary Candidacy and Deployment

The call of God is the single most important dimension of all valid missionary deployment. All other categories and dimensions, while helpful to consider, pale in comparison to this one, central indicator of being God’s messenger and agent.

II. Examples, Profiles, and Implications of an Authentic Missionary Call

A. Examples of the Missionary Call

1. General characteristics of the general call to represent the Lord

a. Rooted in divine selection, Jer. 1.4-5 (ESV) – Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” b. Usually expressed in regards to a specific task in connection with the divine will, Jer. 1.17-18 (ESV) – But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. And I, behold, I make you this day a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests, and the people of the land.