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Mission Affirmed: Recovering the Missionary Motivation of Paul
What will it take to accomplish Christ’s mission in our lifetime?
That’s the question evangelicals have been asking for over a century, but our efforts to reach the unreached and finish the task have often sacrificed the important for the immediate. The greatest challenge in evangelical missions isn’t a lack of urgency, but a lack of discernment. As we’ve prioritized movements that are simple and reproducible, the gospel and faithful churches are now threatened. Our mission itself could be disqualified.
In Mission Affirmed, Elliot Clark seeks to reshape our motivation by considering the example of Paul the missionary. The desire for God’s approval is what formed his ambition and directed his methods, and it should guide ours too. In these pages, we rediscover how pursuing God’s praise can both motivate and regulate our gospel ministries. We also refocus—as missionaries, pastors, churches, and individuals—on what matters more than a mission a mission God affirms.
Biblical Ministry Provides a holistic look at Paul’s ministry, methods, and motivation A Great Resource for Church Helps churches vet and send missionaries First-Hand Ministry Provides a practical solution for common weaknesses in modern missions, with descriptive examples from the author’s experiences as a missionary Published in Conjunction with the Gospel Coalition (TGC)
That’s the question evangelicals have been asking for over a century, but our efforts to reach the unreached and finish the task have often sacrificed the important for the immediate. The greatest challenge in evangelical missions isn’t a lack of urgency, but a lack of discernment. As we’ve prioritized movements that are simple and reproducible, the gospel and faithful churches are now threatened. Our mission itself could be disqualified.
In Mission Affirmed, Elliot Clark seeks to reshape our motivation by considering the example of Paul the missionary. The desire for God’s approval is what formed his ambition and directed his methods, and it should guide ours too. In these pages, we rediscover how pursuing God’s praise can both motivate and regulate our gospel ministries. We also refocus—as missionaries, pastors, churches, and individuals—on what matters more than a mission a mission God affirms.
Biblical Ministry Provides a holistic look at Paul’s ministry, methods, and motivation A Great Resource for Church Helps churches vet and send missionaries First-Hand Ministry Provides a practical solution for common weaknesses in modern missions, with descriptive examples from the author’s experiences as a missionary Published in Conjunction with the Gospel Coalition (TGC)
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 22, 2021
41 people are currently reading
431 people want to read
About the author
Elliot Clark
4 books16 followersElliot Clark served in Central Asia as a cross-cultural church planter along with his wife and children. He now travels around the world to equip church leaders and support residential missionaries. He is the author of Evangelism as Exiles: Life on Mission as Strangers in Our Own Land and Mission Affirmed: Recovering the Missionary Motivation of Paul.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
February 14, 2022
4.5. A word in season for the missions community.
May 6, 2025
This is now my go-to book to put in the hands of prospective goers. Elliot Clark weaves together insights from the New Testament, missions history, and personal experience to argue that Paul’s (forgotten and overlooked) motivation for missions was God’s affirmation of his labors. I would have loved more content on the role of the church in missions. Still, so much wisdom here.
April 11, 2023
Though written directly to those headed to cross cultural contexts, this book is edifying for every believer as we consider the Great Commission and how we live out our lives for the glory of God. It’s extremely practical while pressing the need to shine the light of Scripture on our missiology, thinking critically about our own understanding of motivation, application, and implication of gospel work through studying the work of the apostle Paul.
December 20, 2024
Mission Affirmed is for anyone passionate about missions. In this book, Elliot Clark unpacks the motivating forces behind Paul’s ministry. He explores what shapes his ambition and directed his methods.
Clark recognizes a few motivations behind Paul’s mission, but he highlights what is often overlooked: Paul’s deep desire for the reward of God’s approval. While many seek an accomplished mission, Clark proposes we recover a heart for a God-affirmed mission.
Essentially, Clark attempts to recover that faithfulness is rewarded and that we should be motivated by eternal reward, just like Paul was. That we are not rewarded simply for the number of disciples we make, but for the quality of those disciples, the means by which we make them, and our hearts in the mission. Clark invites readers to be motivated toward missions by what motivated Paul. This book is a very compelling read.
Clark recognizes a few motivations behind Paul’s mission, but he highlights what is often overlooked: Paul’s deep desire for the reward of God’s approval. While many seek an accomplished mission, Clark proposes we recover a heart for a God-affirmed mission.
Essentially, Clark attempts to recover that faithfulness is rewarded and that we should be motivated by eternal reward, just like Paul was. That we are not rewarded simply for the number of disciples we make, but for the quality of those disciples, the means by which we make them, and our hearts in the mission. Clark invites readers to be motivated toward missions by what motivated Paul. This book is a very compelling read.
October 30, 2024
the beginning part of the book is tackling Paul's desire to receive glory/reward from Christ and how that was part of his motivation for missions and how that looks for us.
his whole goal is writing the book is so that Christians would be totally assured in the mission which Christ has called them to and that would in turn produce a more consistent longevity of specially mission relationships.
he also writes against the western culture that wants to accomplish/get results asap. whilst holding in tension the fact that paul does indeed count his ministries a "success" based on their fruits. and begins to challenge how maybe we have strayed to carefully away from considering fruits...
SUPER INTERESTING! honestly in my top ten favorite books and definitely a must read.
his whole goal is writing the book is so that Christians would be totally assured in the mission which Christ has called them to and that would in turn produce a more consistent longevity of specially mission relationships.
he also writes against the western culture that wants to accomplish/get results asap. whilst holding in tension the fact that paul does indeed count his ministries a "success" based on their fruits. and begins to challenge how maybe we have strayed to carefully away from considering fruits...
SUPER INTERESTING! honestly in my top ten favorite books and definitely a must read.
November 4, 2025
Best missions book I've ever read. But it's not just for missionaries. This book applies to those who are serving and sacrificing for the Lord in any area of ministry.
In a day when it's popular to talk about "Mission Accomplished," Clark urges us to think in terms of "Mission Affirmed." To learn from Paul's example, we must go beyond a simplistic understanding of his missionary method and understand his missionary motivation: to receive God's affirmation. If we are ministering for God's approval, this will have enormous implications for our missions methodology (Clark makes timely correctives to modern missiological ideas throughout the book).
"To be an ambassador in the kingdom is to bear the marks of the crucified King" (p. 64). "In the kingdom, greatness and glory are for those who serve and suffer like the King" (p. 214).
In a day when it's popular to talk about "Mission Accomplished," Clark urges us to think in terms of "Mission Affirmed." To learn from Paul's example, we must go beyond a simplistic understanding of his missionary method and understand his missionary motivation: to receive God's affirmation. If we are ministering for God's approval, this will have enormous implications for our missions methodology (Clark makes timely correctives to modern missiological ideas throughout the book).
"To be an ambassador in the kingdom is to bear the marks of the crucified King" (p. 64). "In the kingdom, greatness and glory are for those who serve and suffer like the King" (p. 214).
September 18, 2024
Good work on the motivations for missions work, much of which is applicable to gospel ministry in general. The main thesis is that we ought to imitate Paul as he imitated Christ and sought to please the Lord and gain from him a great reward.
Only thing holding me back from 5/5 is that there isn’t much of a clear ecclesiological goal.
Only thing holding me back from 5/5 is that there isn’t much of a clear ecclesiological goal.
September 21, 2022
Compelling and convicting.
August 2, 2024
The best book on the motivation/heart of a missionary I’ve ever read. Required.
January 26, 2022
A short while ago I attended an event that left me stunned. All I could think was, “Give some men a microphone and they’ll go away sad that they didn’t worship God as much as they wished they had, give others a microphone and they’ll go away sad that they didn’t worship themselves as much as they wanted.” This event perfectly illustrated that latter camp. The reality is though that when someone has served in successful ministry for any number of years it will usually have had one of two effects:
They are humbled by what God has done and are frightfully aware of their own shortcomings.
They have seen all God has done through them and have become convinced that it’s really because of them.
I am overgeneralising, but here’s the rub. Elliot Clark could have written a book on mission drawing on his extensive practical and theological experience as a Church planter and leader in the missionary field. So does he? Not at all, instead, he goes back to the scriptures to retrieve Paul’s motivations for taking to the mission field and how the Spirit worked through Paul in suffering, speaking, sending, and serving. Clark doesn’t assume anything but brings us along with him on his journey, as he grounds himself anew in the word, inviting us to do the same.
So, the man at that event boasted. Did Clark? Oh yeah, big time.
Propensity
"Pride," observed Mary… “is a very common failing, I believe. By all that I have ever read, I am convinced that it is very common indeed; that human nature is particularly prone to it, and that there are very few of us who do not cherish a feeling of self-complacency on the score of some quality or other, real or imaginary.”
Jane Austen - Pride and Prejudice
What Mary Bennet aptly describes here at this moment is something that should be incredibly clear to all of us. Some may be very openly proud, “I am just better than most people,” they say, “There’s not point hiding it.” Another may be glad they are not like the first, “Thank goodness I am not proud like him.” Which is, in fact, pride.
If you don’t think pride is a particular struggle for Christians, I would refer you to a place called Social Media, it’s a foul place where humility goes to die. What’s the answer then? Be humble! Great, the moment you’ve gotten there you’ll be the most humble person on earth and having achieved that, you’ll fall back into pride for having achieved it. Like all other works, we cannot fulfil this law. Thankfully, God has not left us alone with our pride but has given us somewhere to direct our natural propensity. Clark is well aware of this and so, again and again, points out that part of Paul’s motivation is being able to boast. Paul says things like:
“I face death every day, as surely as I may boast about you, brothers and sisters, in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -- 1 Corinthians 15:31 (CSB)
Many will shrink away at passages like this, passages that seemingly go against what we’re called to do. We’re not meant to be proud, we’re not meant to give in to that urge, boasting is something bad, right? I will freely admit that I am incapable of convincing you of Clark’s point in the next 200-300 words. What I will say, which I hope will convince you to read this book, is that these verses, these passages aren’t going anywhere. If you’re in a church, you are on mission or you should be to a greater or lesser degree. I am not saying you should go out and be a missionary to foreign lands, but rather that there is work to do right where you are. What’s more, at some point in the course of that mission, you will most certainly wrestle with pride, whether it’s yours or someone else’s this sin is so pervasive that it must be faced. I know that I struggle with pride on a daily basis, it’s a sin I have to mortify more often than I care to admit. If you agree with any of that, you should go and pick up this book. There is much more to learn, but the standout lesson for me was this:
“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
I will boast in the Lord; the humble will hear and be glad.
Proclaim the Lord’s greatness with me;
let us exalt his name together.” - Psalm 34:1–3 (CSB)
Will you do that with me? Will you boast your socks off? Will you boast in the Lord?
It reminds me of what Thomas Chalmers says:
“But what cannot be destroyed may be dispossessed and one taste may be made to give way to another, and to lose its, power entirely as the reigning affection of the mind.”
Thomas Chalmers, The Expulsive Power of a New Affection
They are humbled by what God has done and are frightfully aware of their own shortcomings.
They have seen all God has done through them and have become convinced that it’s really because of them.
I am overgeneralising, but here’s the rub. Elliot Clark could have written a book on mission drawing on his extensive practical and theological experience as a Church planter and leader in the missionary field. So does he? Not at all, instead, he goes back to the scriptures to retrieve Paul’s motivations for taking to the mission field and how the Spirit worked through Paul in suffering, speaking, sending, and serving. Clark doesn’t assume anything but brings us along with him on his journey, as he grounds himself anew in the word, inviting us to do the same.
So, the man at that event boasted. Did Clark? Oh yeah, big time.
Propensity
"Pride," observed Mary… “is a very common failing, I believe. By all that I have ever read, I am convinced that it is very common indeed; that human nature is particularly prone to it, and that there are very few of us who do not cherish a feeling of self-complacency on the score of some quality or other, real or imaginary.”
Jane Austen - Pride and Prejudice
What Mary Bennet aptly describes here at this moment is something that should be incredibly clear to all of us. Some may be very openly proud, “I am just better than most people,” they say, “There’s not point hiding it.” Another may be glad they are not like the first, “Thank goodness I am not proud like him.” Which is, in fact, pride.
If you don’t think pride is a particular struggle for Christians, I would refer you to a place called Social Media, it’s a foul place where humility goes to die. What’s the answer then? Be humble! Great, the moment you’ve gotten there you’ll be the most humble person on earth and having achieved that, you’ll fall back into pride for having achieved it. Like all other works, we cannot fulfil this law. Thankfully, God has not left us alone with our pride but has given us somewhere to direct our natural propensity. Clark is well aware of this and so, again and again, points out that part of Paul’s motivation is being able to boast. Paul says things like:
“I face death every day, as surely as I may boast about you, brothers and sisters, in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -- 1 Corinthians 15:31 (CSB)
Many will shrink away at passages like this, passages that seemingly go against what we’re called to do. We’re not meant to be proud, we’re not meant to give in to that urge, boasting is something bad, right? I will freely admit that I am incapable of convincing you of Clark’s point in the next 200-300 words. What I will say, which I hope will convince you to read this book, is that these verses, these passages aren’t going anywhere. If you’re in a church, you are on mission or you should be to a greater or lesser degree. I am not saying you should go out and be a missionary to foreign lands, but rather that there is work to do right where you are. What’s more, at some point in the course of that mission, you will most certainly wrestle with pride, whether it’s yours or someone else’s this sin is so pervasive that it must be faced. I know that I struggle with pride on a daily basis, it’s a sin I have to mortify more often than I care to admit. If you agree with any of that, you should go and pick up this book. There is much more to learn, but the standout lesson for me was this:
“I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
I will boast in the Lord; the humble will hear and be glad.
Proclaim the Lord’s greatness with me;
let us exalt his name together.” - Psalm 34:1–3 (CSB)
Will you do that with me? Will you boast your socks off? Will you boast in the Lord?
It reminds me of what Thomas Chalmers says:
“But what cannot be destroyed may be dispossessed and one taste may be made to give way to another, and to lose its, power entirely as the reigning affection of the mind.”
Thomas Chalmers, The Expulsive Power of a New Affection
March 12, 2022
The subtitle says it all - “Recovering the Missionary Motivation of Paul”.
“Mission Affirmed”, by Elliot Clark, is a singularly focused book looking to identify the mission and motivation for the Apostle Paul’s gifting in missions. The book follows Paul’s life with Clark paying special attention to the “why” behind every action taken: WHY did God say or do…WHY did Paul respond or say…? He follows biblical accounts of both the Old and New Testaments with a great deal of time being spent in Acts, Romans, I & II Corinthians. Scripture references are from the ESV translation.
Clark served as a missionary in Central Asia. He reached out to indigenous Muslim peoples, working alongside his wife and children. Currently, he’s working stateside training leaders and writing books on evangelism and missions. Because of his experiences, the book reads with veracity beyond the scriptural grounding.
By following Paul’s life, readers will be pointed to Christ. The call to missions isn’t a suggestion for some, it’s a command for all followers of Christ. Everything we do is supposed to be for HIS glory, missions included. Clark includes his personal experiences, how missions has evolved, it’s current state, how and where it needs to move forward. This involves both personal and corporate missions.
All things considered, well written & organized, this is a book that should be read by all Christians, regardless of denomination📚
October 8, 2024
I am not the intended audience for this book. It is written by a missionary to those currently in, or contemplating going into the mission field. I still appreciated the insights into the life of Paul and his ministry focus. As a supporter of missionaries, I also appreciated the topic of who or what missions to support, as well as questions to ask as we think about supporting them.
December 30, 2021
I've read a fair few missions-related books over the years, and _Mission Affirmed_ is a welcome breath of fresh air, in both tone/style and content. It's timely, challenging, and convicting (and I'll admit I entirely loved how much he quoted CS Lewis, one of my favorite authors).
Clark's writing style is engaging and forthright, downright blunt at times ... :D (but sometimes that's just what we need, innit?). It doesn't read as a textbook or history book (though he does a great job at studying the life of Paul, in particular, and setting him and his writings in the historical setting). Laymen and scholars alike can pick this up and learn from it!
Further, I love how Clark challenges the reader (as well as the church) to pursue God's approval--not as part of a works-based salvation, not at all, but in fact to render even greater praise back to Him. Clark paints a picture of spending life pursuing God's glory, seeking "approval, glory, and reward ... from God alone" (eARC loc 408), and of standing before God with anticipation and hope, not in dread. Salvation through faith in Christ means we can confidently approach the throne of grace! Powerful indeed.
Many a story from Clark's own time on the mission field are included here, as are stories shared with him (including by Nik Ripken, who has spoken at my church and whose books we've read and studied in life group). Folks who have completed the Perspectives on the World missions course will see some other familiar names, as well, such as Ralph Winter.
A fantastic resource. 5/5 stars.
I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Clark's writing style is engaging and forthright, downright blunt at times ... :D (but sometimes that's just what we need, innit?). It doesn't read as a textbook or history book (though he does a great job at studying the life of Paul, in particular, and setting him and his writings in the historical setting). Laymen and scholars alike can pick this up and learn from it!
Further, I love how Clark challenges the reader (as well as the church) to pursue God's approval--not as part of a works-based salvation, not at all, but in fact to render even greater praise back to Him. Clark paints a picture of spending life pursuing God's glory, seeking "approval, glory, and reward ... from God alone" (eARC loc 408), and of standing before God with anticipation and hope, not in dread. Salvation through faith in Christ means we can confidently approach the throne of grace! Powerful indeed.
Many a story from Clark's own time on the mission field are included here, as are stories shared with him (including by Nik Ripken, who has spoken at my church and whose books we've read and studied in life group). Folks who have completed the Perspectives on the World missions course will see some other familiar names, as well, such as Ralph Winter.
A fantastic resource. 5/5 stars.
I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
August 31, 2023
Refreshing book on missions due to combining the following in one book:
1) Surveying Pauline missions methodology through 1-2 Corinthians.
2) Critiquing modern missions methodology especially the recent fad of speed over depth.
3) Applying a biblical theology of future rewards and the judgment seat of Christ to the practice and promotion of missions.
4) Casting a vision of the Apostle Paul that is multidimensional according to the NT versus a one-dimensional approach due to gift projection.
Recommended for pastors, missionaries (greenhorns and veterans), missions teams, and anyone with a passion for the Great Commission.
1) Surveying Pauline missions methodology through 1-2 Corinthians.
2) Critiquing modern missions methodology especially the recent fad of speed over depth.
3) Applying a biblical theology of future rewards and the judgment seat of Christ to the practice and promotion of missions.
4) Casting a vision of the Apostle Paul that is multidimensional according to the NT versus a one-dimensional approach due to gift projection.
Recommended for pastors, missionaries (greenhorns and veterans), missions teams, and anyone with a passion for the Great Commission.
December 21, 2024
Every aspiring missionary should read this book.
April 7, 2022
Really enjoyed this book on missions. Here's some good thoughts I learned from it:
Paul was motivated by his desire to please God.
Western Christians come from a task-oriented and time-conscious society. Relationships are not as important. Our consumerist-culture tells us that prudence and patience is a virtue of the past. Novelty seems more important than durability.
Whereas the current model of missions says to “work yourself out of a job,” we might want to change that for “build something that lasts.”
We are driven by a mantra of “mission accomplished,” but we must not sacrifice living in the moment with staying power.
With the more resent missions fad of reaching the unreached groups, we have hurriedly imitated western capitalism instead of Christlike work and patience.
What matters is God’s approval on our work and having lasting efforts. Shoddy work will not be praised.
Paul was definitely influenced by judgment and rewards.
What makes Christians different is not that they don’t seek glory, but they seek the glory of God rather than their own.
Westerners must be careful not to connect the gospel with aspirations of a better life.
The goal of missions is not quick gains but lasting results.
Amy Carmichael told missionaries to not go to field unless you can say to the Lord and to yourself that the cross is your attraction.
The cross proceeds the crown. Those lifted up must first go down.
Although Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ commissioned by God alone, he was also sent by and accountable to a church.
Missionaries are not to be independent agents with their own agenda, they are to be coworkers with their church and others.
We don’t just need more missionaries, we need the right kind of missionaries.
Missionaries should learn before they go, listen to the nationals when they arrive, and partner with a national church before they start on their own.
Simply having a heart to help and a ticket in hand does not make one a good missionary.
When the church sent Paul, they sent their best. Today it seems a church sends almost anyone.
Churches should be careful of the missionaries they send, and they should not support missionaries they do not believe God has commissioned.
Paul was motivated by his desire to please God.
Western Christians come from a task-oriented and time-conscious society. Relationships are not as important. Our consumerist-culture tells us that prudence and patience is a virtue of the past. Novelty seems more important than durability.
Whereas the current model of missions says to “work yourself out of a job,” we might want to change that for “build something that lasts.”
We are driven by a mantra of “mission accomplished,” but we must not sacrifice living in the moment with staying power.
With the more resent missions fad of reaching the unreached groups, we have hurriedly imitated western capitalism instead of Christlike work and patience.
What matters is God’s approval on our work and having lasting efforts. Shoddy work will not be praised.
Paul was definitely influenced by judgment and rewards.
What makes Christians different is not that they don’t seek glory, but they seek the glory of God rather than their own.
Westerners must be careful not to connect the gospel with aspirations of a better life.
The goal of missions is not quick gains but lasting results.
Amy Carmichael told missionaries to not go to field unless you can say to the Lord and to yourself that the cross is your attraction.
The cross proceeds the crown. Those lifted up must first go down.
Although Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ commissioned by God alone, he was also sent by and accountable to a church.
Missionaries are not to be independent agents with their own agenda, they are to be coworkers with their church and others.
We don’t just need more missionaries, we need the right kind of missionaries.
Missionaries should learn before they go, listen to the nationals when they arrive, and partner with a national church before they start on their own.
Simply having a heart to help and a ticket in hand does not make one a good missionary.
When the church sent Paul, they sent their best. Today it seems a church sends almost anyone.
Churches should be careful of the missionaries they send, and they should not support missionaries they do not believe God has commissioned.
August 17, 2023
The premise of this book is exactly as the subtitle says; Clark is trying to outline what it looks like to be a missionary like Paul. One of his primary threads is that we have forgotten Paul was motivated by a heavenly reward for his service. Here are my notes from each of the chapters:
1. The goal is to be pleasing to God. Work for the reward of glory from Him in proportion to your good works. He is pleased with mature Christians who know the whole counsel of God, not those seeking western power and influence.
2. Embrace suffering, shame, and failure, and be honest about them to supporters. Model a life of discomfort and suffering because if you don’t, your disciples won’t either.
3. Missions “volunteerism” isn’t desirable. We don’t need more missionaries unless they are equipped and competent to do the work. It is the job of the local church to vet and approve suitable missionaries. Missionaries and the nationals should be interdependently working together.
4. We need to do God’s work, God’s way: by His Spirit. We should not let fears of cultural colonialism keep us from discipling with the full counsel of God. Quick, reproducible, and lots of concerts doesn’t necessarily mean your ministry is faithful.
5. Missionaries should boldly proclaim Christ and His gospel, without cloaking the message and with a life that lends to the credibility of the message.
6. Christians need clear boundaries against idolatrous practices. Missionaries should not promote continuing worship in old religions.
7. Missionaries should sacrifice, following Paul’s example. This includes helping the poor, pouring oneself out in caring for spiritual needs, and even giving up personal safety. We need to have a robust theology of sacrifice and reward.
8. Serve humbly and faithfully, for God’s commendation. Speed is important, but it can never compromise our message.
“American evangelicals are much like the Corinthians. They live in a society that despises lack and distrusts the weak, that shames insufficiency and only glories in grief once it’s gone” (72).
1. The goal is to be pleasing to God. Work for the reward of glory from Him in proportion to your good works. He is pleased with mature Christians who know the whole counsel of God, not those seeking western power and influence.
2. Embrace suffering, shame, and failure, and be honest about them to supporters. Model a life of discomfort and suffering because if you don’t, your disciples won’t either.
3. Missions “volunteerism” isn’t desirable. We don’t need more missionaries unless they are equipped and competent to do the work. It is the job of the local church to vet and approve suitable missionaries. Missionaries and the nationals should be interdependently working together.
4. We need to do God’s work, God’s way: by His Spirit. We should not let fears of cultural colonialism keep us from discipling with the full counsel of God. Quick, reproducible, and lots of concerts doesn’t necessarily mean your ministry is faithful.
5. Missionaries should boldly proclaim Christ and His gospel, without cloaking the message and with a life that lends to the credibility of the message.
6. Christians need clear boundaries against idolatrous practices. Missionaries should not promote continuing worship in old religions.
7. Missionaries should sacrifice, following Paul’s example. This includes helping the poor, pouring oneself out in caring for spiritual needs, and even giving up personal safety. We need to have a robust theology of sacrifice and reward.
8. Serve humbly and faithfully, for God’s commendation. Speed is important, but it can never compromise our message.
“American evangelicals are much like the Corinthians. They live in a society that despises lack and distrusts the weak, that shames insufficiency and only glories in grief once it’s gone” (72).
August 11, 2022
This was an interesting melding of commentary on Bible texts (1 and 2 Corinthians), commentary on modern methods in missions, and insight into the inner workings of Paul as a missionary. It's kind of an odd combination, but it works and makes this book unique. There's a lot to chew on here, and the book is well-researched, yet written in an interesting way.
What made this an above average read for me is the focus on Paul's motives of pleasing God with his missionary work and being rewarded at the judgment seat of Christ. As Clark says in his conclusion, "In my experience, our evangelical sensibilities that emphasize human powerlessness and God's unmerited favor have, in some cases, inoculated us against the hope of pleasing God and receiving a recompense for our work." Of course he balances these statements to say that all our boasting is done in Christ and for God's glory, but the point remains that Paul regularly uses language that we tend to stay away from. By happenstance, at the same time as I picked up this book, I was studying Philippians with a group and finding much of that same language there. Those concepts coming up both of places really excited me and gave me a different perspective on Paul and the complex motivations in Christian living and ministry.
Recommended to people interested in missions, church and ministry leaders (especially those responsible for missionaries), and those interested in a unique angle on 1 and 2 Corinthians.
What made this an above average read for me is the focus on Paul's motives of pleasing God with his missionary work and being rewarded at the judgment seat of Christ. As Clark says in his conclusion, "In my experience, our evangelical sensibilities that emphasize human powerlessness and God's unmerited favor have, in some cases, inoculated us against the hope of pleasing God and receiving a recompense for our work." Of course he balances these statements to say that all our boasting is done in Christ and for God's glory, but the point remains that Paul regularly uses language that we tend to stay away from. By happenstance, at the same time as I picked up this book, I was studying Philippians with a group and finding much of that same language there. Those concepts coming up both of places really excited me and gave me a different perspective on Paul and the complex motivations in Christian living and ministry.
Recommended to people interested in missions, church and ministry leaders (especially those responsible for missionaries), and those interested in a unique angle on 1 and 2 Corinthians.
May 15, 2023
In this book the author gives a detailed explanation of how the apostle Paul thought about his ministry to the various churches he visited based on the letters he wrote to them, especially 2 Corinthians. It really puts the pieces of the puzzle together with great insight and clarity, giving a cohesive and nuanced perspective of why Paul stayed in certain places and never made it to Spain, or decided to go to Jerusalem.
The book was a great reminder (revelation?) of what we should really be living for. So often I get caught up in doing stuff thinking it is good without evaluating the true nature of the work and its eternal significance. Will other people have reason to give praise to Christ for me in the end? Will the people I minister to be good witnesses for my work?
I listened to the audio book which made it hard to follow some of the arguments. Hopefully I can come back to this sometime and read the physical book.
The book was a great reminder (revelation?) of what we should really be living for. So often I get caught up in doing stuff thinking it is good without evaluating the true nature of the work and its eternal significance. Will other people have reason to give praise to Christ for me in the end? Will the people I minister to be good witnesses for my work?
I listened to the audio book which made it hard to follow some of the arguments. Hopefully I can come back to this sometime and read the physical book.
July 12, 2023
This book is basically a theology of rewards applied to cross-cultural mission through the lens of 1-2 Corinthians. If you’ve spent any time in those books, much of what is said will be familiar ground. However, what makes this book so strong is how Clark chooses to focus on just two NT letters, squeezing a lot of juice out of them. It’s a very bold book in many ways: proclamation central must be central, idolatry is a danger for missionaries, embracing suffering is necessary and so on, all so that our ministries are built on the foundation of Christ and what we’ve built doesn’t get burned on the last day. A few quibbles: the link between justification and future rewards could be been more developed and pastorally worked through; the book is focused on cross-cultural mission, meaning that these principles are not applied to ministries back home (perhaps another book?); and the flow is slightly jumbled in places. But overall a tremendous read. Perhaps 4.5 stars.
May 20, 2024
If I could give a book 4.5 stars, I would, but because I can’t I have rounded up. Elliot Clark does a fantastic job at highlighting one of Paul’s main missionary motivations: the praise and commendation from God on the last day. His encouragement is for us to set our eyes on the glory that will be ours as we serve, sacrifice, and sow for the Gospel. The reason for docking it half a star is that Clark’s writing and conclusions, at times, makes it seem like this was Paul’s MAIN missionary motivation. However, the primary motivation for all believers, and Paul, is for God to be glorified and for people to come to know Christ. Had I not listened to Episode 25 of the 9Marks Podcast “Missions Talk”, I probably would have concluded that Clark finds the praise and commendation from God Paul’s main missionary motivation. Therefore, if you plan to read this books, which I think you should, I would encourage you to listen to that podcast episode first.
April 4, 2022
An absolutely fantastic book! In this book Elliot Clark, as the subtitle suggests, looks at the missionary motivations of Paul. This book is forceful in its convictions and does not hesitate to be direct in its critique of modern missionary methods. However, the tone is still one of love and desire for missionary zeal. I left this book encouraged, determined, and with much to think on. Another part which does have to do with missions but can be applied more broadly in the Christian life is the nature of boasting. Boasting in what God has done and seeking commendation from God is not evil or impure in motivation. We should desire to seek the reward if faithfulness to God when we stand before him. If we do not have that reward in plain view, we may settle for the praise of others today and run our race as to not win the prize.
April 13, 2025
All together appreciated this take on missiology and a healthy look at what is working and what may be hurting the work. I was expecting a deeper look into biblical missiology—there were times that were so zoomed in on Paul’s journeys that it almost seemed that he was the only biblical model. It was used to put down a few different methods and models. Although I think I agree with everything in principle, there were parts that I found myself saying - “but what about?” And “is that just theory or are those things happening”. But all together a good read and examination. I read it hoping for more of a theological dive into Paul’s motivations—which it did, but came to a different conclusion—that Paul was driven to a heavenly reward rather than my theory of getting more of God.
December 13, 2024
Clark writes to current and prospective missionaries, as well as those seeking to further the advance of the gospel in this age. Clark does a great job explaining a much missed aspect of Paul’s missiology - that Paul deeply sought the reward of glory and of Gods approval at the end - and this is what motivated his deep love for the churches in the 1st century. Playing against the catch phrase, “mission accomplished” in missions, Clark aims to re-direct our motivations away from accomplishing tasks as fast as we can, towards deeply loving others in a way that God would affirm. 10/10 recommend. Favorite book of the year so far for me.
January 9, 2023
Fantastic challenge to return to a comprehensive mission motivation and one that is focused on "that" day. Clark presents clear and biblical responses to mission trends today and frames them within the context of Paul's ministry. He does so in a unique way as he transports the reader through the various places where Paul planted churches and zeroes in on specific aspects of cross-cultural work that require our careful attention today. Excellent resource for the cross-cultural practitioner, church leaders, and those equipping, mobilizing, and sending to cross-cultural work.
August 17, 2023
I appreciated Elliot and his book “Mission Affirmed.” It is based on scripture and he specifically looks at Paul’s missionary journeys as he shares stories from his own time as a missionary and on the mission field.
If I had to summarize the book in a sentence, I would say that Elliot is looking at what is missions, why we should do it, and how we can do it well.
I like the stories that Elliot shared, both the good and the bad. I also appreciated how he looked at Paul’s missionary journey and life as a guide for how we should do missions and do it well.
If I had to summarize the book in a sentence, I would say that Elliot is looking at what is missions, why we should do it, and how we can do it well.
I like the stories that Elliot shared, both the good and the bad. I also appreciated how he looked at Paul’s missionary journey and life as a guide for how we should do missions and do it well.
January 11, 2025
I’ve been longing for a book like this for a few years now and am grateful to have found this one. Mr. Clark expresses many of the same observations and concerns I’ve had, and in a far clearer manner. Well written and to the point, Mr. Clark draws from Scripture, history, personal and peripheral experience to meet his goal of recovering Paul’s motivation, that is, to be a worker approved by God and accepted by man. I believe this should be required reading for anyone participating in or supporting ministry, particularly foreign mission or church planting.
February 16, 2022
So good!!! One of those books you need to read a couple times, there is so much biblical wisdom and truth. I really think we’ve needed a book like this as it addressing many factors that relate to the current state of missions. The way the Clark puts the reader in Paul’s shoes while keeping conjecture minimal is captivating. One of the only books that I have found to be very informative and teaching while also like a novel. Praise God for how he’s established the work of Clark’s hand😁
February 24, 2023
I was assigned this reading in preparation for my upcoming missions trip to Alaska. In each chapter he unpacks the ministry of the Apostle Paul as well as several examples throughout church history. I really enjoyed the stories about international missions going on today. I found this book overall helpful in helping me make an informed decision about the type of missionary I want to train to become, and I have an idea of some of the potential pitfalls I should be weary of on the mission field.
August 1, 2023
Heaven isn't just a consolation prize: we will be rewarded for what we do, and that has implications for how we live now. Probably the book would have been better if it had dealt with the overall topic of reward instead of reward just within the area of evangelism but it was good nonetheless. Also explains why discipleship is a part of evangelism, and why growth without sound doctrine is really not a good thing.
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