Moravian Foundations for Missions (Part 2) 1

In my last post, I addressed the origins of the Moravians. Now it is time to get a quick glimpse at Zinzendorf’s theological and missioloigcal foundations on which their field practices were built.

1) Let the Spirit Guide Your Work. The Holy Spirit was understood to be the only true missionary. Individuals were to be guided by Him and were in His hands.

2) Expect “First-Fruits.” Zinzendorf taught that the Holy Spirit prepared hearts like He did with the Ethiopian eunuch and Cornelius. Missionaries were to take comfort and encouragement in the fact that the Spirit was at work among any given unreached people long before the team’s arrival on the field. All peoples would be represented around the throne. Therefore, the “first-fruits” of the harvest would eventually come from any given people, even if that number was only a few.

3) Preach the Simple Gospel and Hold to an Exclusive Message of Salvation in Christ Alone. Zinzendorf assumed that unbelievers already knew about God through general revelation, but needed to know of the Savior and His wounds from the cross. Missionaries were to preach to people’s hearts and not give theological lectures. Zinzendorf discouraged philosophical arguments and called for straightforward preaching of Christ, His death, His resurrection, and the hope that He alone provides.

4) Go to the Neglected Peoples. The focus was on the unreached. The first missionaries went to the Caribbean and served among the slaves. Some Moravians even sold themselves into slavery so they could preach the gospel to the slaves. Other early missionaries ventured into Greenland and worked among the native population. Going to the neglected peoples meant the Moravians went to some of the most remote places on the planet at a time when travel was both extremely difficult and dangerous.

5) Do not Take Members from Other Churches. Sheep stealing was not permitted when serving in areas where the Church already existed. The missionary task was an apostolic task. Missionaries were to focus on conversion growth and not attempt to transfer long-term Kingdom citizens into their labors. Though the Moravians became a denomination, Zinzendorf’s plan was never for them to be a separate denomination, or even establish “Moravian” churches. His desire was that they come alongside of other denominations and work to reform the Church already in existence. Though on few occasions the Moravians were encouraged to work among believers who migrated to the “new world” but were not attached to any particular church there, the focus of Zinzendorf’s missiology was on the expansion of Christ’s Kingdom among the lost.

6) Make Tents. Most of the early missionaries were self-supporting from the very beginning. Other than receiving some transportation expenses to get to the nearest sailing vessel, missionaries were expected to be self-supporting. As they traveled to various parts of the globe they went as artisans, craftsmen, and merchants earning a living to support themselves and their team members. As part of their pre-commissioning training, Zinzendorf taught the Moravians to develop highly marketable skills and trades. This practice increased the likelihood the teams would be able to support themselves anywhere in the world.

In my final series post, I plan to share the locations where those early Moravians served and missionary methods used.

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This week on Strike the Match, I plan to discuss the contents of my soon-to-be-released new book: To the Edge: Reflections on Kingdom Leadership, Mission, and Innovation. Be sure to listen: iTunes | Android | RSS