The Key to the Missionary Problem

This is an excellent book that should be read by every pastor. It also should be read by anyone who thinks they take their Christianity seriously. I read through it every 3 years or so to give myself a kick in the seat. In a nutshell, the key to the missionary problem is that Christians are pleasure focused. When you take a serious view of the crucifixion and what Christ suffered, you are compelled to give all in return. God has given each one of His children the privilege to be His steward, to decide how His resources are to be used. Sadly, the majority of Christians use those resources to fulfill their own lusts. Pastors need to take the lead and preach that message regularly.

Overall I would recommend this book to read. It is not a definitive or exhaustive look at missions, but it does help us in the 21st century get a perspective outside our own generation.

Andrew Murray wrote this book a little over 100 years ago in response to a missionary conference that he was not able to attend. He is responding to what they did and did not say at the conference. The "missionary problem" that Mr. Murray is writing about in this book is the lack of concern and burden within the church as a whole for the gospel to expand to unreached places in the world. He says the "key" to this problem is that the problem is a symptom of a deeper spiritual problem and a lack of love for Christ.

I really liked Chapter 3, which was about how the Moravian church was established in the 1700's and while being a small church sent so many missionaries around the world. Mr. Murray looks at their heart and from where their emphasis on world missions came. Toward the end of the book when he begins to look at what our response should be to this problem, he greatly emphasizes prayer, examining our own hearts, and seeking God. In our age when everyone has a list of things to do to address a problem, Mr. Murray knew that the only fruitful change in the church is accomplished by the Holy Spirit working in us. Mr, Murray's solution is what we need to hear.

The most frustrating thing to me about this book is Mr. Murray's lack of Bible references. He rarely backs up anything he saws with the Bible, which made me wonder if he was only giving his ideas and not expounding God's ideas.