Missionary Confidential

The current issue of “Support Raising Solutions” from TheBodyBuilders.net expounds on familiar territory for us and, I suspect, for most missionaries: fears in fundraising. The author lists his top five fears, and, while all five are familiar to us, I believe number 2 (“Rejection By Family”) and number 5 (“Financial Instability”) resonated the most. Biggest shock statistic: 200,000 Americans inquire yearly about becoming missionaries; 1% make it to long-term service. Ouch.

Top Five Fears in Support Raising

Missionaries: what fundraising fears would you add to this top five? List them in the comments.

Last one for Question Week:

Is a re-education necessary in churches and amongst evangelical Christians about modern missions?

I say this because of all the odd statements I’ve received over the years in missions ministry. If you’ve read even half of this blog so far, you’ll understand what I mean. From statements I’ve heard about missions only being valid in the 10/40 window, or enforced prayer at Christian schools for missionaries, peoples’ perceptions that the missionary actually does very little, to thoughts conveyed to me that missionary living equals impoverished, yet our pastor can’t be seen to live like that—I just wonder if churches are missing the boat when explaining the concept of being a missionary, especially what that means in today’s world.

Next up in Question Week:

Are you completely fundraised or are you a “tentmaker” (do you support yourself with an income or form of work outside of ministry or missions)?

We’re an odd breed on this one, as we are actually both. Sometimes the mix of each changes, but it’s been this way the whole time here. A huge part of why we need the income from our business back in the States is the exchange rate from the Dollar is brutal, so we’re shaving a third to one-half of our value when we use it over here, hence the need for a huge amount of money despite living modestly. However, because we rely on the fundraised part of our income as well, we still get to do all the communication, interaction, and “dog and pony” show to supporting churches.