A Strategy for Sending Missionaries from the Village Church in Dallas-Ft.Worth

Abstract

The Village Church (TVC) in Dallas-Ft.Worth is a multi-site megachurch that exists to glorify God by making disciples, and while the church has multiplied missionaries in this way over the years, there has been no comprehensive “sending strategy.” Consequently, many have gone, but few have bent sent. It is the thesis of this project that the local church has a responsibility in identifying, training, and sending apostolic minsters—evangelists and church planters. For far too long TVC has given over “sending” priority to parachurch ministries and has been content to remain passive financiers of those who are convinced of a call regardless of local church affirmation. This will not do. In response, I will propose in this project narrowing missions to evangelism and church planting, and I will advocate for developing leaders rather than recruiting volunteers.

These convictions have led to a sending strategy made up of a process and plan or “Sending Program” that will aid the potential missionary in the areas of exploration of a call to ministry, preparation for ministry, immersion into ministry experiences, and association into an ongoing partnership after being sent.