Inexperienced?
Are we done sending to the mission field those who have never
done at home what they say they will do on the mission field?
From my seminary days, I remember hearing the phrase, “If one has not done something here, how can he be expected to do it there?” This has multiplied applications but certainly ought to be considered before sending off one of your members to another part of the country or world. It must be asked, “Does he have any experience in what he says he is called to do?”
The training institutions have a major role in preparation of mission candidates. The local church is the natural proving ground for the work of missions.
Let us start with training whether in an institution or within the local church. Out of my experience in missions has arisen the question, “Who taught these church planters how to plant churches?” From day one of a new fellowship, the church planter ought to start preparing the people for the day they will have to pay for a pastor. From day one, as fruit of missions themselves, they should financially support missions to their world. Training the people to win others to Christ, how to disciple new believers, how to behave in church (including caring for their pastor) and inspiring them to reach their world (fulfilling the Great Commission) should be the key objectives of any church planter.
I knew of a church planter who, after many years on the mission field, sat in on a seminary-level class on Pastoral Administration. Why? Because it was not a class that his missions course required. Does not every church planter become a pastor the moment the fellowship is established? So, “Who came up with the core curriculum for a missions degree?” By the way, why not include a basic Economics class in that curriculum? It is amazing how many people do not know how to handle their finances, let alone a church’s.
Turning to the local church, the natural proving ground of any spiritual gift, including those associated with missions. In the discovery of called servants of God, the evidence of such a call is to be found in the service of the individual in his local church. Promises made may not end up being promises kept. Passion for ministry may simply be emotional outbursts rather than long-term commitment. Someone once said, “The mission field is the greatest place to hide mediocrity.” Far away from home, little accountability, and escape from the mundane could be the pipe dream of ineffective individuals.
Considering once again the discipleship plan laid out previously, a key element to finding those who are truly called to missions is the sending church’s approval based on the service to their local church. When you consider the call of Paul and Barnabas in Acts 13, one can easily see how God called the best to His service abroad. Have you ever considered that members of Antioch Church might have resisted losing the greatest theologian (Paul) and the man who offered such great comfort (Barnabas)? However, these qualities carried these men forward on missionary journeys of great consequence. I once heard of a conference held in Eastern Europe where quite a stir was caused when several men responded to the challenge to World Missions. When asked what was going on, the response was that the very best of the fellowship had stepped forward for missionary service; leaders that were being counted on for the future of the fellowship. There will be no future for any fellowship if its best are not available for God’s call.
Local churches are the proving grounds for evangelists, disciplers, educators and even church planters (either through planting a church in America or assisting someone who is). Again, does it make sense to send someone to the mission field to teach in a Bible college who has never taught a class or someone to plant a church who has never planted or participated in planting of a church? Sending experienced evangelists, disciplers, educators, and church planters would carve ineffective years off the total missionary experience.
