Every year for the last 20 years or more, America's mainline denominations have cut back on the number of missionaries they send. Why? Are missionaries no longer necessary? Or have these churches lost the way?

The question calls to mind a discussion Jesus had with the disciples near the end of his earthly life. Although he had said that he would prepare places for them in his Father's house, ever-skeptical Thomas asked, "Lord, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?" (John 14:5).

In this age of skepticism and doubt, Thomas's plea rings with relevance as today's mainline denominations similarly lack confidence in the way. The implications are grave for the future of Christian missions. If we have lost the way, how can we expect to show the way to others?

Despite any questions that may have lingered in the minds of the early Christians, they did not need to re-examine or re-imagine their commitment t world missions every three or four years. In fact, until the great theological depression in mainline churches, even more recent Christians had no need to ask about the purpose of missions.

For these believers, Christ's command was simple and urgent: save souls from a Christless eternity. Or at the very least, give them the chance to know that they are lost. Faced with this straightforward challenge, the church exploded into the modern missionary movement, a race against time and the Devil for the eternal salvation of humanity.

Many people consider this the classic and most familiar theology of mission: salvation free for all, but only in Christ. Solidly evangelical, it was the theology of my parents and is not as old-fashioned and outdated as some may think. This same theology is also today's theology of the South ...