Was, Not Am: What’s Wrong With Lifelong Missions?
Posted by C. Holland on Sep 30, 2009As we went around the circle in the Bible study, introducing ourselves to the visiting mission team, one of our members made sure to interject that she had been a missionary forty years ago for two years. To be honest, it didn’t make a lot of sense to the situation; perhaps she thought that, since the team was on mission, they would be interested in this fact about her. But it made me reflect on other church situations, especially in the States, when people talked about a visiting pastor or a new member of the congregation: “Oh, and he was a missionary.”
Granted, it’s certainly interesting conversation fodder, and usually follow up questions would be about where, how long, etc. But in my experience, someone still active as a missionary was viewed as odd, especially if they had been in their field for a large number of years. As we complete year after year of our foreign mission, the comments are becoming more pointed: “You will come back, right?”, “I thought you’d get this out of your system”, or “You won’t do this the rest of your life, will you?” Is it such a problem that I am planning on staying?
Even in the field, the fact that we are missionaries understandably makes some people uneasy; “what’s your agenda?” their distressed looks imply. But when they meet former missionaries, it’s as if all tension is gone and the anticipation of a spiritual confrontation doesn’t register. What does that say about the non-missionary Christian?
Recently we’ve begun to get unsolicited contacts from churches and pastors in the States that say, “While we’re glad you’re serving in missions, if you ever come back we’d like to hire you.” I suppose it’s because we’ve been in the field “long enough” to carry some sort of clout or interest. I’ve seen this happen with two other missionaries here; both of their former churches in the States contacted them at the two-year mark to hire them back as pastor. At a larger salary. Both accepted incredibly quickly and fled the country, abandoning their church plants, without much explanation. Why would a Stateside church look for their next pastor in a mission field with virtually no national pastors or church planters?
Meanwhile, there are no additional certificates or degrees between us, and most of these churches wouldn’t have given us the time of day three years ago. Because we have lived abroad for a few years, are they saying that living abroad now makes us more ministry-capable than the years of church planting in the States?
While I recognise that the missionary life is not for everyone, and that those immersed in a foreign field for years tend to be “odd” when compared to their original culture, I’m not understanding why it’s so terrible to be committed to long-term missions that take your entire life. Certainly some may be called for five or ten years. God knows how long He wants each of us to serve an area. But why are we questioned when we feel He’s calling for a lifetime?
There may come a day when God will change our direction, and I may have to say I was a missionary, not am. But when so many fellow Christians suggest the was by encouraging a permanent return to a missionary’s home country, I’m not surprised so few can still say, “I am a missionary.”
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!Related posts:
- Are Short-Term Missions Sabotaging the Conversion to Long-Term Missionaries?
Short-Term Missions Done Right
Fresh Views on Missions in the 21st Century
Missionary Confidential by Email
September 30th, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Again, super post! As a “Full-Time Missionary” in the Cloud Forest of Ecuador, I find a kindred heart with you.
September 30th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
While the unsolicited emails and pastoral requests might be a nuisance (more like junk mail) there is a sense where missionaries command some sort of respect. We’re living out in a real tangible way the call to take the gospel to the nations. Our lives are living examples to those that send us of what Jesus requires. I think that 3 or more years of missions equates to at least 6-7 years of congregational ministry. It ages and matures you in ways that traditional American congregational ministry can’t.
Now, that doesn’t excuse people jaunting after big American salaries and ditching their ministries elsewhere…shame on them. But I think you were right, some people can and will go onto long-term, lifetime missions. Others will have shorter ministries. I think God can use both.
Kevin´s last blog ..Go’ers and Senders
October 1st, 2009 at 12:01 pm
Perhaps we are what is wrong with long term missions. In the West many of us are about what we can get out of life and “climbing the ladder” wherever that ladder may lead. Often our commitment is to our own comfort, safety, and security. More than that, our commitment is to our own kind. We see the needs where we are but fail to see the often more pressing needs elsewhere. Do we need missions minded people in our hime nations? Without question. But that is, at best, Judea and Samaria. What about “the ends of the earth”?
I must admit that I have not lived as a missionary overseas though I have lived overseas for several years. Even that experience taught me that it is a huge adjustment. Sometimes overwhelming. But certainly it is enriching in ways that are hard to describe. I would not trade it for anything.
I think, too, that many simply cannot fathom that someone would actually want to live outside of their home country. Or that we would find other cultures fascinating. Or that we would truly love people who are culturally different.
I commend you for your faith and determination to live where God has called you.
October 7th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Thank you, all. It’s good to know I’m not the only one who feels this way.
@Kevin: “3 or more years of missions equates to at least 6-7 years of congregational ministry” I’ve gotten this impression, too, yet I’m not sure it ensures better ministry ability back home.
“It ages and matures you in ways that traditional American congregational ministry can’t.” Yes, and it’s changed me enough that I don’t want to work in American ministry.
@Scott: “that many simply cannot fathom that someone would actually want to live outside of their home country…” I’ve gotten this a LOT, and I have to admit I’m the opposite of those people–how can they NOT want to live elsewhere, find other cultures fascinating, etc.? Everyone’s got a different take, I guess. The difference is that I won’t put down someone who does not wish to travel or immerse in another culture, yet those people will put me down.
October 30th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Thanks for the post. I have been 17+ years in Taiwan and can relate to your experience.
Until God clearly calls me back home I am happy to be here as long as possible! it is a wonderful privilege and blessing to be serving in this way.
October 30th, 2009 at 11:48 am
I am a missionary and hope to keep it that way. Thanks for a good post.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:53 am
Wow I enjoyed reading what you had to say about missions.I am also missionary you know.
I think people feel uneasy when we call ourselves missionaries because they feel we are exalting ourselves but this is not so.It is Christ himself who called us missionries.
December 31st, 2009 at 2:13 am
I’m just curious… when we discuss about being “lifelong missionaries,” are we talking about to the same place and people group, etc?
For instance, I taught English in China for three years in order to make disciples and help to plant churches — I think staying longer would have been better…. And now I live in Tanzania, though we’re just beginning our work here. I figure my wife and I will live outside the U.S. for the great majority of our adult lives. But I don’t know why I would stay in one place for my whole life? I’m no
December 31st, 2009 at 10:41 am
@James: I wouldn’t hold the discussion to same place/people. God can certainly move His people to different fields for different times, or He may keep us in one place for the whole time. That’s not really the issue.
The post was more on the intent to be in missionary work for the bulk or remainder of one’s time on earth, regardless of exactly where or for how long in a place. For some reason, my family and friends would rather I live in the States doing ministry than being a missionary where I am (though secular work would be their preference), and it frankly confuses me.
January 3rd, 2010 at 10:31 pm
I think most people are afraid of doing missions work on their own outside of getting a secular job in the country they want to be in (which for Western Europe it’s very hard if you have no extensive professional background). Many people myself included often say that I wouldn’t do missions because I am not wealthy or I have no connections with churches who will support me. However now I learned that those aren’t the prerequisite for missions even though many missionary sending agencies make it so (I suspect it’s because they’re out to make a profit). I believe God chooses who he sends and he sends his missionary, no other qualification should be required. In the Gospel Jesus sent his disciple on missions trip, instructing them not to take any money but instead lives off of the people they minister to, but earning their keep at the same time. I believe Count Zinzendorf had missionaries do that as well. I think today people seems to think that money rules their life and that “Oh if God wants me to go he’ll provide the money and church backing and etc.” but I feel sometimes the lack of finances or church support may be a test of your faith and a way to strengthen you. I have read about missionaries in modern time who had almost zero church support (in fact he is rejected by his church for not doing it the “proper” way) yet still went because God said to go. I think in my life I could not have made it for the last few months if it wasn’t for God’s provision and it really does strengthen my faith in God.
Tai Fu´s last blog ..Happy new year
January 4th, 2010 at 3:29 am
@TaiFu Your accusation that many mission agencies require people to be wealthy and have supporting churches so that the agency can make a profit is a gross exaggeration, to say the least. Here are a couple thoughts to consider:
1) The vast majority of people who work with mission agencies (whether on the home side, or on the field) are not in it for the money. They could be making much more in secular work. There is a lot of budget tightening that goes on to help missionaries stay on the field, both by the missionaries on the field and the agency that sends them on the home side. I imagine that there are some agencies that abuse the trust of supporters and work for profit, but to say “many” is a reckless untruth.
2) Most mission agencies require missionaries to have supporting churches so that they can more fully devote their time to direct ministry on the field without the distraction of full-time secular employment as well. It is the same reason why many churches find a way to pay their pastor – so that he can devote more time to preaching, visitation, and caring for the flock.
3) Most mission agencies want their missionaries to have the endorsement of at least one home church for reasons of accountability. Anyone can say that he feels like God is calling him to be a missionary, but when you have the endorsement of a church body, the mission agency can have more confidence that the missionary that they are getting is a loose cannon or an otherwise unqualified/incompetent person who is rashly entering into mission work.
Whether you have a missions agency or not, or whether you are doing “full-time” supported missionary work or bivocational missions as tentmaker, it is vital to have the approval and support of a home congregation. The support *could* be financial but need not be, depending on the type of missions that are done.
Missions can be done (and is being done in many places) without financial support from home but missions should rarely be done without the approval and prayer support of your home church.
Karl´s last blog ..Pray for Thailand 2010