INTRODUCTION
TO MISSIONS - PART 2
Some
Thoughts On Timing
It
takes about 3 to 5 years for a pastor taking over a new pastorate to
come into any amount of effectiveness. All ministry comes from
relationship and when the new pastor comes to a church there is no
relationship. Besides that, everyone leaves the church! But if he can
hang on for three to five years -well, by then there is a
relationship with the congregation and he can really come into what
the Lord has for him to do. In the case of the (western) missionary
this development time is about 15 years. The tragedy is the average
sponsor quits supporting a ministry after about 3 years. The sick
reality is that the Body/Church aborts its developing servants way
before their time. This "christian abortion" has eternal
consequences.
Native
vs. Foreign Missionaries
There
is a native missionary movement gaining momentum today which I
support, in part. The basic reasoning goes something like this: Why
should we support a Western missionary at $80,000 per year when he
can't speak the language, can't relate to the culture, doesn't like
the people or the food, and doesn't bear any fruit?
Interesting point. Then it is pointed out: Why,
for just $30 per month you can fully support a native missionary who
knows the language and culture, lives as the people he is trying to
reach do, and is much more effective.
Who
could argue with that? Well, this is a serious matter to consider.
There is just a little bit of deception here, however. $30 per month
does NOT support a native missionary. $30 buys ONE UNIT of support.
The missionary may need several of these units in order to survive
and survive is the correct word. This money will not really balance
the personal or domestic budget much less provide for a ministry
budget. We are talking about existence here and not much more. Is
this what Christ wants for His servants?
Supporters of the
native missionary movement often say that they want 100% of their
support to go to the field. This is insane. Somebody, somewhere has
to take care of the expenses involved with sponsoring these
missionaries. Hopefully, office and administrative costs are kept to
a conservative minimum and there are agencies which do a great job at
this. The office workers of many good missions agencies that I know
raise their own personal support to allow 100% of designated
offerings to go to the field. But, somebody; somewhere has to give
toward the support of these office workers. Donors just don't want it
to be them.
This is a typical scenario I have experienced: My
family and I went to a church in the Dallas area to present our Latin
American ministry to the people. There was a check for $75 made out
for us BEFORE we arrived at the church. Let me say I am very, very
thankful for a $75 offering. There have been many times I have
rejoiced over an offering as small as $5 because that was five
dollars more than we had. However, it cost us about $150 to go and
minister to that particular church. The people thought they were
giving to missions. In reality they were not even giving to provide
ministry to themselves. Somebody, somewhere, somehow had to make up
the difference. Do you see what I mean? It is just immature to think
that 100% of a donation should go to the field. Yes, I understand
that donors are permitted to designate their offering. This is good.
Just don't forget that someone has to pick up the part that is
ignored. Remember: God works on percentages.
How does one know
what to do? The point is: What is God saying to you? If the Lord says
GO then that is the final word. More and more I receive the message
from overseas that the only thing an American is good for is to write
a check. To be honest, I really resent that mentality. Jesus said,
"The harvest
truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord
of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest" (Mat
9:37-38). My
friend, that means there is room for YOU!
Feb.
10, 2024