A Comparison of the Mission Methods Used in the Early New Testament Church with Those Used Today in the WELS Home Mission Program

Abstract

Norman W. Berg’s 1971 paper compares the mission methods of the early New Testament Church with those used in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS) Home Mission program. Drawing from Acts and the Epistles, Berg emphasizes the flexibility and Spirit-led strategy of the apostles, particularly Paul, in preaching the Gospel and establishing indigenous churches. He outlines key areas of comparison—objectives, planning, fields, personnel, approach, purpose, and administration—highlighting both continuity and adaptation in modern mission practices. Berg affirms that while the early church’s methods were shaped by context, their unwavering objective was the salvation of souls through the Gospel. He commends WELS for maintaining this objective while adapting to contemporary challenges, and encourages ongoing reflection and responsiveness to God’s guidance. The paper concludes that mission work remains at a crossroads, where faithful decisions must be made to serve all people with the Gospel. Abstract generated by Microsoft Copilot (GPT-4).