*DAILY DEW 23/DECEMBER/2022* *3 Ways Missionaries Interact with Local Churches* (I) _Key Bible Text:_ *"Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ."* (Romans 16:3-5 (KJV)) _Bible Insight:_ Missionaries have a difficult relationship with the local churches around them on the field. In the mythology of missions, the missionary has risen above such paltry things as potlucks and committee meetings. They’ve “graduated” from church. And what’s more, by the very nature of their occupation, missionaries often must live and work in places where a local body of believers is practically impossible to come by. In reality, missionaries and local churches need each other. The exact parameters of the relationship between the two may change or be otherwise dependent on circumstance. 1. Missionaries Plant:- The missionary’s first and most obvious responsibility to local churches is to facilitate their planting. Therefore, a missionary must know what a healthy church looks like, for how can he replicate what he’s never seen? Scripture leaves ample room for local expression and glorious diversity between congregations, but we can’t compromise on the theological essentials of the church. This is Christ’s body, not ours. We have no right to take liberties with the bride of Christ. Although no church is perfect in these matters, a healthy church will nevertheless adopt a posture of obedience to Scripture, striving for God’s ideal and trusting him to bless their obedience. Conversely, as important as it is not deviate from biblical direction in church planting, missionaries must be equally careful not to confuse essentials with nonessentials. A healthy church can’t function without biblical preaching, but that preaching can be done on a rooftop or under a tree. Biblical leadership is indispensable, but that leadership can be paid, unpaid, or bivocational. The standard set by Scripture is high enough without stacking it with trivialities. Missionaries must know which issues to hold with tight fists and which to hold with open hands, and they must be careful never to let nonessential matters cause unnecessary division or enmity. _MEDITATION:_ *"The circumstances of a church’s birth will set the course of its life."* *#Sophie_Spencer* *#Daily_Wisdom_for_living* *#Becoming_More_Like_Jesus* *#The_Rise_of_An_Army* *#Daily_Dew_Devotional* *#Hello_DECEMBER* ❤ *#GuestMessage* Links To Visit: *Register4HTP2022:* https://bit.ly/HTP2022_ACTIVATED *FB Pages* https://www.facebook.com/DavidJoshuaEgbochuo/ https://www.facebook.com/thedavidgen/ https://www.facebook.com/THEREVIVALCORPS/ *Telegram Group:* https://t.me/joinchat/NzXQlVc9Hx7LfaRSnh9fHg Feel Free to Share with Friends. God bless you.