Several months ago a very curious and intelligent young woman wrote to me for her school assignment on missionaries. This was one of her questions and my answer.
Besides the Bible what is your resource?
Great question. The Bible is the greatest resource for spiritual development, the understanding of God, the church and how we go about missions. It is our key to the Biblical worldview which we must know well to make indigenous churches (in my case churches that are truly Japanese). The Bible is our ultimate authority, don’t forget that.
Besides the Bible there are three other answers. 1) One is the work of God in and through our lives. The Holy Spirit’s guidance, empowerment, comfort, which is not just personal but he builds community with other believers (churches). 2) Another is God’s sovereignty. As God is in control he arranges things in a “God way” through miracles, circumstances, and all the promises he has given us. That connects to faith, reliance, trust in God. It is not our mission, it is God’s. The work we do is for His glory, empowered by Him, and for His purposes in discipling the Nations that will worship Him.
3) One final answer is the training and experience that I have received. I have two mission degrees and over 25 years of experience. I am far from knowing everything but I have learned a few things; especially from my mistakes. This applies to the training and experience of others (even people long dead). This is a great resource for wisdom, encouragement, leadership and direction. We have much to learn from over 200 years of missionaries working for God in missions.