Resources and Suggested Reading


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Welcome to the Missions Resource Network library. Click on the categories below to view downloadable resources that will aid in mission planning and maintenance.


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Academic Research

Theology of Missions

Seed Planters Be Encouraged (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

Missions in the Story-Line of Scripture (Adobe PDF)
by C. Philip Slate

Contrasting Missional and Church Growth Perspectives (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Gailyn Van Rheenen

Research and Bibliographies

MISSION OPPORTUNITIES IN COMMUNIST AFRICA (Adobe PDF)
by Richard Chowning

Sending Churches

General

How We Should Approach Europe (Adobe PDF)
How should we approach Europeans as we intensify our efforts to share the message of Jesus with their continent? Three essential attitudes are suggested.

Mobilizing the Church for World Outreach (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

Local Church and Missions

Asia, the Lost Continent (Adobe PDF)
Asia demands our attention.

Taking Root in a Land of Thorns (Adobe PDF)
Japan is a land of thorn bushes of fetishism, polytheism and community-consciousness.

Qualitites of Good Sending Churches (Adobe PDF)
by C. Philip Slate

How to Develop a World Christian Discipleship Study Group (Adobe PDF)
by David Mays

The Role of the Local Church in Missionary Preparation (Adobe PDF)
Dr. Terry Hulbert, ACMC National Conference Address

Contrasting Missional and Church Growth Perspectives (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Gailyn VanRheenen

How to Pray for Your Missionaries Daily Through the Month (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Tom Alley

A Clear Purpose (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

Begin With the Right People (Adobe PDF)
by Bryan Gibbs

How to Stimulate Your Church to World Evangelism (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

Lessons from Great Mission Churches (Adobe PDF)
by Ron Holland

Lessons Learned the Hard Way in Missions (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Glover Shipp

Mission Mobilizing Churches (Adobe PDF)
by Ian Fair

Outside the Camp (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

The Status of Missions in the Churches of Christ (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Gailyn Van Rheenen and Dr. Bob Waldron

Transforming US Churches through Effective Missions (Adobe PDF)
by Roger Pritchett

Church Leadership in Missions

Effective Church Leadership in Your Church (Adobe PDF)
by Roger Pritchett

How Elders Can Lead in Missions (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Glover Shipp and Dr. Bob Waldron

The Status of Missions in the Churches of Christ (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Gailyn Van Rheenen and Dr. Bob Waldron

Missionary Working Agreement (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

The Importance of Networking (Adobe PDF)
by Philip Slate

Missions Committees

Mission Committees: The Crucial Link in World Evangelism (Adobe PDF)
by Ed Mathews

Administering Church Missions (Adobe PDF)
by Ron Holland

How to Begin and Maintain a Missions Committee (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Glover Shipp and Dr. Bob Waldron

Organizing Your Church's Missions Committee (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Glover Shipp

The Status of Missions in the Churches of Christ (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Gailyn Van Rheenen and Dr. Bob Waldron

Missions Goals and Policies

How To Develop Missions Goals and Strategies (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Glover Shipp and Dr. Bob Waldron

Developing or Revising a Missions Policy (Adobe PDF)
by David Meade, ACMC

Formulating and Writing Missions Policy (Adobe PDF)
by C. Philip Slate

Bible School and Missions

Missions Curriculum for Sunday School (MS Word)
Journeys Around the World

The Next Step (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Joyce Hardin

Why Missions Education in Bible Class (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Joyce Hardin

Young Emissary Missionary Apprentice Program (Adobe PDF)
by Don Petty

Vision and Prayer for Missions

How Churches can Recruit and Prepare World Evangelists (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Glover Shipp and Dr. Bob Waldron

How to Pray for Your Missionaries (Adobe PDF)
Adapted from AIM Daily Prayer Guide

The Priority of Prayer (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

Young Emissary Missionary Apprentice Program (Adobe PDF)
by Don Petty

How to Pray for Your Missionaries Daily Through the Month (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Tom Alley

How to Develop a World Christian Discipleship Study Group (Adobe PDF)
by David Mays

Missionary Care

Ten Reasons Why Missionaries Leave the Field and Don't Return (Adobe PDF)
by George Verwer

How to Pray for Your Missionaries Daily Through the Month (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Tom Alley

Accountability Questions for Missionaries (and others) (Adobe PDF)
David Mays, Contributor at Large, Initiative 360

Missionary Working Agreement (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

How to Care for Your Missionaries (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Glover Shipp and Dr. Bob Waldron

How to Pray for Your Missionaries (Adobe PDF)
Adapted from AIM Daily Prayer Guide

Missionary Care (Adobe PDF)
Practical suggestions on how to care for your missionary.

Missions and Money

How Much Should You Pay Your Missionary? (Adobe PDF)
Dr. Bob Waldron, Executive Director Missions Resource Network

When a Dollar is not a Dollar (Adobe PDF)
by Kyle G. Klein, CPA

Money and Missions (Revisited): Combating Paternalism (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Gailyn VanRheenen

Money and Missions (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Gailyn VanRheenen

Using Money in Missions: Four Perspectives (Adobe PDF)
by Gailyn VanRheenen

Western Affluence and Missions (Adobe PDF)
by Philip Slate

Is There a Cure for Dependency Among Mission-Established Churches? (Adobe PDF)
by Glenn Schwartz, World Mission Associates

Preachers and Missions

The Role of the Local Church in Missionary Preparation (Adobe PDF)
Dr. Terry Hulbert, ACMC National Conference Address

The Status of Missions in the Churches of Christ (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Gailyn Van Rheenen and Dr. Bob Waldron

Supporting Nationals

Is There a Cure for Dependency Among Mission-Established Churches? (Adobe PDF)
by Glenn Schwartz, World Mission Associates

Short-Term Missions

General

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Missions and the Stewardship of Western Missions Money (Adobe PDF)
by Philip Slate

Internships

The Internship Menu (PowerPoint)
by Gary Green

Missionary Life and Work

Personal Life

Accountability Questions for Missionaries (and others) (Adobe PDF)
by David Mays

Mothering in Mozambique (Adobe PDF)
Martha Smith and her husband, Jeremy, are missionaries in Mozambique.

General

Twenty Things I Would Do as a Long-Term Missionary (Adobe PDF)
Dwight Whitsett Instructor/Dean of Ministry Training-Oceania Sunset International Bible Institute Lubbock, TX

Missionary Preparation

Important Domains of Missionary Development (Adobe PDF)
TEAM Personal and Professional Development

The Role of the Local Church in Missionary Preparation (Adobe PDF)
Dr. Terry Hulbert, ACMC National Conference Address

Activities that Build Teams (Adobe PDF)
by Bryan Gibbs

Evangelism Springs from Worship (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

How to Become a Missionary (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Glover Shipp and Dr. Bob Waldron

Lessons Learned the Hard Way in Missions (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Glover Shipp

Ten Objectives of the Missionarys Stay with the Sponsoring Church (Handout) (Adobe PDF)
Bryan Gibbs

The Amazing Power of Motivation (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

The Call of Open Hearts (Adobe PDF)
by Tex Williams

The Importance of Missionary Training (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

Wanted: Missionary Women! (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Joyce Hardin

Raising Funds

Helps for Raising Funds (Adobe PDF)
by Alan Phillips

Theology of Fundraising (Adobe PDF)
by Bryan Gibbs

Alternative Fund Raising Methods (Adobe PDF)
by Bryan Gibbs

Money and Missions (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Gailyn VanRheenen

Raising Support & Finding a Church Home (Adobe PDF)
One of the biggest obstacles to serving overseas is finding financial support.

Selecting a Field

How to Select a Mission Field (Adobe PDF)
by Howard Norton

Moving to the Field

Crossing Jordan (Adobe PDF)
by Carley Dodd

Serving Cross-Culturally

Climbing Our Kilimanjaros (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

Cultural Clashes (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Dan Coker

How to Communicate to Post Moderns (PowerPoint)
by Jim Beck

Mexico and the USA -- A Study in Cultural Contrasts (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Dan Coker

The World at Our Back Door (PowerPoint)
by Steve Sherman

Transforming US Churches through Effective Missions (PowerPoint)
by Homer Burks

Money and Missions (Revisited): Combating Paternalism (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Gailyn VanRheenen

Using Money in Missions: Four Perspectives (Adobe PDF)
by Gailyn VanRheenen

Western Affluence and Missions (Adobe PDF)
by Philip Slate

Church Planting

Crossing Racial, Economic, and Class Barriers in the City (PowerPoint)
by Steve Sherman

Carpenter's Church - Ministry to Modern-day Lepers (PowerPoint)
by Jim Beck

The Importance of Building the Church (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

What Will You Leave Behind (Adobe PDF)
by Steve Smith

Leadership Training

Equipping Leaders for Latin American Churches (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Dan Coker

Humanitarian Efforts

Improved Nutrition via Drip Irrigation & Food Processing Plant in Malawi (Adobe PDF)
by David Goolsby

Missionary Stories and Biographies

How I Came to Love Missions (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Glover Shipp

Sowing Seeds in Argentina (Adobe PDF)
by Bettye Blay

Missionary Care

Local Church's Role

Avoid the Pitfalls (Adobe PDF)
by Bryan Gibbs

Career Transitions of Former Church of Christ Missionaries (Adobe PDF)
by Anthony B. Parker

A Season of Transition for Returned Missionaries (Adobe PDF)
by Anthony B. Parker

Accountability Questions for Missionaries (and others) (Adobe PDF)
by David Mays

Ten Reasons Why Missionaries Leave the Field and Don't Return (Adobe PDF)
by George Verwer

General

Help for American Victims of Crime Overseas (Web Link)

Pre-Departure Health Training Handbook (Web Link)

Safety Issues (Web Link)

Overseas Citizens' Services (Web Link)

Top Ten Ways to Not Become a Victim of Crime Around the World (Web Link)

Security Awareness Overseas (Web Link)

Carjacking: Don't be a Victim (Web Link)

Hotel Safety: Staying Safe in Your Home Away from Home (Web Link)

Security Guidelines for Children Living Abroad (Web Link)

Security Guidelines for American Families Living Abroad (Web Link)

Why Do Missionary Care? (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Dottie Schulz

Selection and Screening

Choosing the Right Missionary (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

Begin With the Right People (Adobe PDF)
by Bryan Gibbs

Important Domains of Missionary Development (Adobe PDF)
TEAM Personal and Professional Development

On-Field Care

Accountability Questions for Missionaries (and others) (Adobe PDF)
by David Mays

How to Pray for Your Missionaries Daily Through the Month (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Tom Alley

How Churches Can Minister to Traumatized Missionaries (Adobe PDF)
Missions Resource Network Staff

How Trauma Affects the Missionary (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

In the Presence of My Enemies (Adobe PDF)
by Greg Carr

Ive Had Enough, Lord! -- The Care and Feeding of Missionaries (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Dale Hawley

Lessons Learned the Hard Way in Missions (Adobe PDF)
by Glover Shipp

Terrorism and Missions (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

Missionary Care (Adobe PDF)
Practical suggestions for caring for your missionary by Joel Petty, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Security and Missions (HTML File)
Article highlighting security issues in modern missions.

Missionary Health Recommendations (Adobe PDF)
by Vic Allen, M.D.

Emotional Needs of Women on Mission Field (Adobe PDF)
Addresses needs of missionary women.

Missionary Kids (MKs)

Advantages of Being Third Culture Children (Adobe PDF)
By Clyde Austin, Ph.D. Several areas in which TCK's excel.

Research on Missionary Kids and Families: A Critical Review (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Dale Hawley

Living in Two Worlds (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Dale Hawley

Missionary Salary and Benefits

Family Transitions: Adaptation to Stress (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Dottie Schulz

How Are We Going to Pay Our Medical Bills? (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

How to Save Your Returning Missionary from Financial Hardships (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

When a Dollar is not a Dollar (Adobe PDF)
by Kyle G. Klein, CPA

Missionary Working Agreement (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

International Health Insurance (Adobe PDF)
Benefits available for long-term and short-term workers.

Missionary Family

Crossing Jordan (Adobe PDF)
by Carley Dodd

Raising 3rd Culture Kids (Handout) (Adobe PDF)
by John & Beth Reese

Furloughs

Missionary Care Update for Missionaries on Furlough (Adobe PDF)
Dr. Dottie Schulz

Re-Entry

A Word to Parents Concerning Children's Reentry (Adobe PDF)
by Dottie Schulz, Ph.D. and Bob Waldron, D.Min.

Coming Home (Adobe PDF)
by Joanna Waldron Dittemore

Guidelines for Reentry of the Foreign Missionary (Adobe PDF)
Pleasant Valley Church of Christ, Little Rock, Arkansas

Honor to Whom Honor (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

How Do You Communicate Your Mission Experience and Knowledge to the Church After Reentry (Adobe PDF)
by Clyde and Sheila Austin

How to Save Your Returning Missionary from Financial Hardships (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

In the Presence of My Enemies (Adobe PDF)
by Greg Carr

Missionary Reentry (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Clyde Austin

A Season of Transition for Returned Missionaries (Adobe PDF)
by Anthony Parker

Career Transitions of Former Church of Christ Missionaries (Adobe PDF)
by Anthony B. Parker

Resource People

Becoming a Missionary Care Specialist (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Dale Hawley

Bibliographies & Book Reviews

Bibliography for Missionary Kids (MKs) (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Dale Hawley

An Annotated Bibliography (Adobe PDF)
by Dottie Schulz, Ph.D.

Links

Missionarys Missionary: A Blog (Dr. Dottie Schulz) (Web Link)

U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission (teaching the basics of personal finances) (Web Link)

Issues In Missions

Business as Missions

Building a Great Commission Company (Web Link)

Six Ways to Get Involved in the "Business as Missions" Movement (Web Link)

The Value of Christian Values When Doing Business in China (Web Link)

General

On Receptivity (Adobe PDF)
Dwight Whitsett Instructor/Dean of Ministry Training - Oceania Sunset International Bible Institute Lubbock, Texas www.missionsouthpacific.wordpress.com

Partnerships

Staying Connected (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

Bringing People Together (Adobe PDF)
by Dr. Bob Waldron

World Religions

Buddhism

Presenting the Gospel to Buddhists (Adobe PDF)
Out of his extensive experience, Edward Short of World Christian Broadcasting outlines the basic tenants of Buddhism and how to reach Buddhists for Christ.

Islam

Islam in Latin America (Compressed ZIP)
by Matt Cook, 2007

Women In Islam (Adobe PDF)
by Beth Kee, March 2007

The Home and Missions

General

Parents of Missionaries - Tips for Coping (Adobe PDF)
by Diane Stortz, parent of a missionary, Clovernook Christian Church, Cincinnati

Parents of Missionaries - Tips for Getting Through the Holidays (Adobe PDF)
by Diane Stortz, parent of a missionary, Clovernook Christian Church, Cincinnati

Involving Your Grandchildren in Missions (Adobe PDF)
by Nancy Tichy

Missions Teachers-Leaders

General

Compass, Telescope & Tour Guide: Lessons Learned in Student Mobilization (Adobe PDF)
by Claude Hickman

Countries

General

Nationscans (Web Link)

China

My Mission Experience in China (Adobe PDF)
by Edward Short