The Importance of Conviction

“… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matt 28:20a ESV).

“He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9).

Our family loves the beach. Firmly planting a beach umbrella in the sand shields us from the sun’s harmful rays, enabling us to spend hours enjoying the sun, sand, and waves. After hauling everything to the beach, I spend the better part of 10 minutes ensuring the umbrella is deep enough to withstand the windy gusts of the day. Would I rather play with the kids or dig into a good book right away? Of course. But I’ve learned that taking the time up front to establish our protection will prevent sunburn and lengthen our fun for the day. Similarly, digging deep in theological preparation up front will protect missions work from being short-lived and missionaries from being tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine.

Sound Doctrine, Teaching, and the Missionary Task

Making disciples is more than teaching, but it’s not less. Disciple-making starts with declaring the glorious news of Christ’s redeeming work to a lost humanity and calling them to repent and believe. Perhaps it goes without saying: a missionary ought to be skilled at evangelism. But that’s not all. Because upon conversion, a lifelong journey of learning to obey all that Jesus commanded begins. Evangelism and teaching are two sides of the same Great Commission coin.

But how can new converts obey unless they learn? And how can they learn without someone teaching? And how can someone teach unless he or she is equipped in sound doctrine? How beautiful are the feet of those who teach the whole counsel of God! I trust you can forgive the elaboration on Romans 10:14-15 and embrace my point. Missionaries ought to be skilled to teach sound doctrine (Titus 2:1). Bobby Jamieson defines sound doctrine as “a summary of the Bible’s teaching that is both faithful to the Bible and useful for life.”^[1] Therefore, churches must ensure that those they set apart for vocational missions are sufficiently prepared and able to teach.

The missionary task involves elder- and deacon-like work. So it’s wise to establish a standard that is adjacent to these New Testament offices. In Titus 1:9, Paul prescribes that an elder must “hold firm to the trustworthy word” such that they can “give instruction in sound doctrine.” The word translated hold firm means to “hold, withstand, or endure” and is elsewhere interpreted as “being devoted to a master.” God expects those charged with word ministry to be so mastered by his word that they can withstand attack, correct distortions, and teach others to do the same. Missionaries encounter numerous circumstances that demand a firm hold on sound doctrine. Why would we send anyone out who is unprepared and untested?

The word for teaching in Matthew 28:20 means “to impart instruction … instill doctrine … to explain or expound.” Paul uses the same word in Colossians 1:28 as he expresses his efforts to “present everyone mature in Christ.” This sort of teaching takes a deep understanding of theology and the skill to express it clearly to the mature and immature alike. Acquiring both the content and skill to do so takes intentionality, time, and testing.

Assessing Readiness

Reaching & Teaching is unashamedly baptistic, reformed, complementarian, and church-centered. Practically, this means that those who aspire to be sent through Reaching & Teaching must align with our statement of faith and our convictions about the local church.^[2] However, alignment requires much more than simply agreeing in principle with these convictions.

At Reaching & Teaching, we want our missionaries to have a track record of doing ministry that flows from embracing and internalizing sound doctrine. After all, their work will take a variety of forms: one-on-one, small groups, large groups, formal teaching, expositional preaching. While ministry contexts may differ, every missionary should be able to help and establish a new gospel work and/or strengthen what already exists. Being capable of doing so means taking the necessary time to master, and be mastered by, the trustworthy word that enables us to teach, correct, and rebuke as an ongoing part of the missionary task.

The urgency is real, and this call to patient formation before missionaries get on the field does not work against it. Instead, the two — patient preparation and urgent need — work hand in hand. After all, we want the theological foundations we lay in the field to endure. That demands significant preparation.

I love the beach. Taking the time to firmly plant the umbrella in the sand may keep me from getting to the main thing. But the effort is worth it. By preparing well, our enjoyment of the sun, sand, and waves is both protected and lengthened. May our local churches do the same. May they take the time to theologically prepare those who aspire to missions work so that, by the grace of God, their labors are protected and last far beyond their lifetimes.

^[1] Bobby Jamieson, Sound Doctrine, 17.

^[2] We believe the marks of a healthy church are expositional preaching, sound doctrine, biblical understanding of the gospel, biblical understanding of conversion, faithful evangelism, meaningful membership, church discipline, and biblical discipleship and leadership, as articulated by Mark Dever in Nine Marks of a Healthy Church.