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

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.

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

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.

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.

@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.

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.

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