Sojourner #055: Prioritizing Missions In The Church
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11–12, ESV)
In a church landscape saturated with programs, strategies, and parachurch organizations, Aaron Menikoff and Harshit Singh call us back to something refreshingly ordinary and profoundly biblical: the local church.
In Prioritizing Missions in the Church, they offer not a new model for missions, but a return to the one Christ gave. This volume, part of the 9Marks Church-Centered Missions series, is an unapologetic affirmation that missions is the responsibility of the local church - not Christian celebrities, not mission boards alone, not freelancers or non-profits, but ordinary churches filled with ordinary Christians under the authority of King Jesus.
The authors write from two very different corners of the world: Menikoff serves as senior pastor of Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, while Singh is the preaching pastor of Satya Vachan Church in Lucknow, India. But their message is unified and unmistakable: a missions-centered church is nothing more, and nothing less, than a gospel-centered church.
This truth gives their writing both theological weight and pastoral immediacy. Their concern is not abstract. It is deeply ecclesiological, fiercely biblical, and global in its implications.
Menikoff and Singh call churches of every size, budget, and age to embrace their God-given role in the Great Commission. The command to make disciples of all nations is not reserved only for well-funded churches with full-time missions staff, it is entrusted to every local body that bears Christ’s name.
No congregation is too small, too young, or too poor to obey Christ in this way. As they point out, what is required is not a surplus of resources, but a willingness to steward what God has given, for His glory among the nations.
And such stewardship, they remind us, is costly. They point us to Jesus’ call in Mark 8:34–35: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
To prioritize missions in the life of the church means dying to comfort, to preference, and often to convenience. It means praying for and sending out people we love. It means giving generously and strategically. It means shaping the rhythms and teaching of the church to cultivate long-term, theologically grounded, and globally minded obedience. Missions is not an elective for the spiritually ambitious. It is the shape of Christian discipleship itself.
Throughout the book, Menikoff and Singh consistently return to one foundational truth: the goal of missions is the establishment of healthy, local churches. It is striking, they note, that Scripture places little spotlight on the qualifications of missionaries - not because the missionary task is insignificant, but because the focus of Scripture is on the church. Missionaries are not ends in themselves. Their task is to plant churches with biblical leadership: elders and deacons who are rooted in the Word, accountable to one another, and equipped to shepherd and teach.
In a world increasingly tempted by celebrity culture, the authors’ insistence that missionaries be ordinary, qualified, and church-sent is a needed correction. True missionary success is not measured by blog traffic, but by enduring, faithful, doctrinally sound churches established where there were none before.
Another strength of the book is its attention to hospitality, not as a vague virtue, but as a missions-minded practice. They root their argument in Paul’s words from 1 Thessalonians 2:8: “We were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves.”
Hospitality in missions isn’t merely about having people over for meals; it is about opening one’s life to others in love, in truth, and in service. It is a pattern learned from Christ Himself, and one that forms the relational backbone of healthy missionary and local church life.
Menikoff and Singh also highlight the need for fellowship among biblically sound churches and faithful elders. Missions, they argue, is not best done in isolation. When churches partner with one another around shared convictions, they reflect the unity of Christ’s body and bring lasting strength to global missions efforts. This kind of fellowship transcends nationality and funding models. It is rooted in doctrine, forged in prayer, and focused on the glory of Christ.
One of the book’s most clarifying contributions is the authors’ reminder that God’s mission is the same whether in Atlanta or in India. Too often, we imagine missions as something that happens “over there,” while neglecting the evangelistic and church-strengthening needs right at home. But Menikoff and Singh reject the false dichotomy.
A missional church is not one that only sends, it is one that is sent. To be missional is to be obedient. That means proclaiming Christ to the unreached across the globe and to the nations God has brought into our neighborhoods. Missions happens both abroad and at home, because the mission belongs to the Lord, and His command is the same in every place.
In this way, Prioritizing Missions in the Church is not just a book for pastors or missions committees. It is a book for every member who loves Christ and longs to see His gospel go forward in power. It is a challenge to build our churches around what truly matters - not attendance, not image, not influence, but the faithful proclamation of Christ to all peoples through biblically ordered churches grounded in the Word.
Paul Akin, Provost of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, captures the spirit of this book in his commendation:
“I am grateful for pastors who prioritize the significance and urgency of the Great Commission. I hope this book inspires, encourages, and produces missions-minded churches around the world.”
So do we.
How Can Churches Prioritize Missions?
If what Menikoff and Singh write is true, and it is, then the next question is simple: What should churches actually do to prioritize missions? What does obedience look like on the ground?
Here are several practices, drawn from the convictions of this book, that any church can begin:
Teach Missions from the Whole Bible
Missions is not a chapter in church life; it is the outworking of God’s eternal plan of redemption. Teach your people how Scripture - from Genesis to Revelation - testifies to God’s desire to make His glory known among all nations.Preach the Gospel Clearly and Constantly
A missions-minded church is a gospel-centered church. If the gospel is unclear at home, it will be distorted abroad. Regular, Christ-exalting preaching builds the theological foundation necessary for faithful sending.Pray for the Nations Regularly and Publicly
Bring the global mission into the rhythm of congregational life. Pray in the gathered assembly for unreached people groups, for partner churches, for sent missionaries by name.Send Missionaries Slowly and Carefully
Don’t rush. Train, disciple, and examine. As the authors stress, missionaries should be tested and approved members of the church who understand the gospel and the goal - planting and strengthening churches.Practice Hospitality as a Culture of Love
Love for the nations begins with love for people. Make room at the table, share lives, practice generosity. A church that loves people well at home will be better equipped to care for them on the field.Partner with Like-Minded Churches and Elders
Join hands with other congregations that share your theology and missional convictions. Strengthen each other. Share wisdom and resources. Model the unity of the body across boundaries.Support the Work - Sacrificially
Budget for missions not as an add-on, but as a primary commitment. Fund the planting of biblical churches. Train men for ministry. Sustain long-term work. The Great Commission is worth real investment.
What we have provided in this review is only a small glimpse into a profoundly biblical and richly edifying work. Menikoff and Singh have given churches a gift: clear theology, real-world examples, and a vision of missions rooted not in hype, but in humble obedience to the Word of God. We commend this book to every church leader, member, missionary, and seminary student who desires to see Christ magnified among the nations and through the local church.
Disclaimer: We received this book from Crossway Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Copies of this book may be purchased from Crossway or through other distributors. It is our sole desire that this effort would do one thing: equip the Church for the work of missions.
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