The core missionary task (CMT) is the language the International Mission Board uses to describe the center of their missions strategy.
The CMT consists of six phases:
- Entry
- Evangelism
- Disciplship
- Healthy Church Formation
- Leadership Development
- Exit/Partnership
These aspects of the task are not necessarily linear, though they do follow a rough progression. Furthermore, the task is meant to be a spiral, in that once you reach the end, you begin partnering with the churches and leaders you've developed to further engage in the missionary task.
Usage by the IMB
Intended for use in cross-cultural missions in international fields, the CMT is a framework and not a specific missions method. As a framework, it's broad enough to provide structure for all of the IMB's field strategies regardless of region, culture, or worldview.
Different IMB teams across a range of cultural and religious affinities globally employ different missions methods that are both biblically faithful and culturally relevant while congruent with the CMT.
Usage in North America
Though designed for use internationally in cross-cultural settings, the CMT is brush enough to be a helpful framework for North American missions as well.
First, the The United States is the Most Diverse Country in the WorldThe United States is the Most Diverse Country in the World
[[The following data is from the World Migration Report 2020 of the United Nations.::rmn]]
According to the United Nations, there are an estimated 272 million global migrants that have left their country of origin and moved to another country.
The United States is far and away the largest recipient of immigrants globally, claiming approximately 50 milliomn of the 272 million migrants.
India is the largest donor country, providing the largest portion of global migrants to other countries.
, which means North American missions must consider cross-cultural strategies in order to approach Gospel SaturationGospel Saturation
Gospel Saturation is the idea that every man, woman, and child in a region would have access to the gospel in a way they understand.
In Scripture, we see this goal described by Luke in the summary statements he provides concerning the [[Mission of the Church]]. In each instance, Luke now how the Word of the Lord increased, spread, multiplied, and even prevailed.[[list references here::rsn]] Like records that all within a region had heard the Word of the Lord.[[cite references::rsn]]
.