Why did you leave?
Are we done with missionaries leaving the field before completing their task?
There are a variety of reasons why missionaries come home from the mission field; some valid, some not. Most disturbing are the missionaries that return home after only a short period of time. After surrendering for missions, gaining their support, sent off with great fanfare…suddenly, they return home (or somewhere else) to do something else.
What went wrong? Which link was so weak that the chain was broken?
- Was he not called?
- Did he not gain adequate support?
- Was there a problem with the plan?
- Or was it the neglect of the sending church that results in the failure of the missionary?
Besides evaluating the missionary, the sending church should also evaluate itself to see if she is fulfilling her role.
Does he have all he needs? A former soldier gave this description of what is necessary for anyone entering a battle. Soldiers need Beans, Bullets and Bandages in order to survive and succeed in their mission. We can come up with the sending church equivalents in order to make sure that the missionary is likewise sent out to the missions battlefield with what is adequate for the task.
Beans:
Financial support
non-financial support (prayer and communication)
Bullets:
Sound Doctrine
Evangelism and discipleship
Leadership Development
Church planting philosophy
Team members (fellow countrymen or nationals)
Bandages:
Counseling
Evaluation
Encouragement
Accountability
Beans and Bullets ought to be in place before departure. Bandages are the issue in this segment. Obviously, there needs to be communication between sending church and their missionary (as well as to supporting churches).
What process is in place to make proper evaluation? Are the measurable goals, strategies and priorities being achieved? Is the team working together? Is he effectively fulfilling his calling? Should he continue in this ministry or come home?
The objective is always the same. The indigenous principle is preeminent. Every missionary is expected to work in an area for a season and leave behind trained leaders who bear the full responsibility for the work that is resourced locally as well.
