Ralph Winter said that instead of going to the mission field, it could be more strategic to stay home and send 10 100 people.
(Updated Dec. 6 from comment by Greg Parsons–thanks, Greg!)
But if you’re going to say “I’m a sender” rather than “I’m a goer,” you need to be a sender.
Right now the biggest problem in missions is not the restricted access or the persecution…
…it is the lack of people,
…and the lack of resources to support the people in the field.
So therefore, the greatest needs we presently have are:
(1) funding and help for effective recruitment structures and processes that recruit more workers
(2) long-term funding for long-term workers.
Too many people want to focus on specific, “cool” projects – millions of Bibles! end human trafficking! disciple all believers!
Yes, those are necessary things – but too often its at the detriment of workers who long-term live in a place, inculturate into the place, and bring the Gospel into the neighborhood.
The completion of the task requires long-term commitments (that bring about many many short-term projects).
I wish all major funders would pick a worker and stick with them, invest in them, mentor them, help bring about not just one project, but a series of projects.
I wish for a major funder who would see the value in missionary mobilization and bring resources, experience and connections to bear.
Instead most funders say “we don’t fund administration” and “we don’t fund recruitment” and “we only fund stuff in the field.”
This kind of strategic short-sightedness is a shame.
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But we also need better accountability from our long-term mission personnel. Too many aren’t doing the leg-work necessary to keep supporters committed to long-term mission work. That goes beyond fundraising, but to making a case (and repeatingly updating it) as to why someone needs to be on the field long-term and what types of progress they are regularly making.
Also, Western Christians need to learn how to partner with
national Christians. They love their people the most, already know
the language and customs, will stay the long terms, and can do this
all for a fraction of the cost of sending western missionaries.
Perhaps the west should focus on educating, discipling, and
equipping these passionate men and women first. It isn’t always
sexy work, but the goal is to reach the world for Jesus, not to get
passport stamps from as many countries as possible. Keep it
up…
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