PR ResourcesReformed Encyclopaedia
SearchResourcesScriptureExploreAskLiveChurchesAboutContact
PR Resources

A not-for-profit initiative making the theological riches of the Reformed faith freely available to the church worldwide.

Newsletter

Weekly digest of newly added resources

Navigate

SearchResourcesExploreAsk a QuestionAuthorsScripture Index

Community

Find a ChurchAboutContactCopyright NoticePrivacy PolicyTerms of ServiceFeature Requests(coming soon)RSS FeedSupport This Project

Related Sites

RFPAPRCACPRCSermonAudio

© 2026 PR Resources. A not-for-profit project. All content belongs to its respective authors and publishers.

Support us
  1. Home
  2. Standard Bearer

The three-self formula and PRCA foreign missions (10)

Richard Smit·2023-04-18
Read Full Article on Standard Bearer

Rev. Richard Smit examines the three-self formula (self-supporting, self-governing, self-propagating) as biblical methodology for foreign missionary work, addressing historical examples and contemporary criticisms including proposals for a fourth element of "self-theologizing." This article, part of a series, defends the biblical foundations of Reformed missionary practice within the PRCA's missionary efforts in the Philippines.

Rev. Richard Smit, missionary of the Protestant Reformed Churches in America, stationed in Manila, Philippines Previous article in this series: October 1, 2022, p. 16. That the missionary should strive to establish an indigenous church which is self-supporting, selfgoverning (in the biblical sense), and self-propagating is certainly correct, biblical methodology. With this no one ought [to] have any quarrel.1 Previous articles in this series have shown that we may certainly agree with Prof....

Read Full Article on Standard Bearer

Full article available on sb.rfpa.org

Author
Richard Smit
Date

2023-04-18

Source
Standard Bearer
Scripture References
Matthew 28:19-20
John
John 4John 4:42
Topics
MissionsChurch GovernmentPRCA History
View Original

Related Resources

The Gospel And AI: Why God Will Never be Pleased With an AI-Generated Sermon (Nor with the Minister Who Tries)

Barry Gritters

Standard Bearer

For it Seemed Good to the Spirit and to Us*

William Langerak

Standard Bearer

Editor’s Notes

Unknown

Standard Bearer

Synod 2025 Summary

Joshua Engelsma

Standard Bearer

The Minister’s Relation to Christ’s Body*

Douglas Kuiper

Standard Bearer