I have a question that’s been in the back of my mind for a few years now. Since the face of Western church is changing and many people have left and continue to leave institutional church (IC), what does that do for missionary support?
I have friends who are missionaries overseas who have either had their support cut in half or dropped altogether as their supporting churches, and consequently the budgets, have gotten smaller. How do they build their support base back up? I also have friends who have left IC and believe that God is calling them to overseas missions. Their house church just doesn’t have the financial resources that can be found in a large church. How do they raise support?
As people find other expressions of the local church, are there new ways of handling missionary support? I have more questions than answers. What are your thoughts and insights?
26 comments:
I'm not sure of any solid answers, but I suppose that we need to rethink missions as a whole.
I know that I would be interested, if called to another country, to go there, join the culture, find a way to support me and my family (tentmaking) and build relationships with people there.
There are networks of house churches which pool resources to support missions work, but I just wonder if the entire paradigm isn't shifting.
Unfortunately, support that is raised for a missionary is often partially needed for administrative costs. Just like with the institutional church as a whole, missionary sending agencies have overhead. I wonder if we can't try to trim that down some.
Just a few random thoughts in response to your excellent questions...
Mary,
I think this is a very important question, but one that perhaps should be broadened a little to include everyone that we now consider "ministry professionals".
First, each believer must rely solely on God for support. (I'm not saying that you don't know this, or that you don't agree, but I think this is where we must start.)
Second, each believe must then follow God as he leads them to provide support. As Steve said, that could come in many different forms. I think that one of the reasons that many "ministry professionals" does not consider getting a full-time job to support themselves and their familes and others is because they are doing things that are not their responsbilities, or things that maintain the organization while meaning very little to the people of the church.
Also, never assume that God can't use the small amount that he tells you to give to someone. If there is a believer living in another country, making disciples, and God compels you to give $10, then give that $10 joyfully. No amount is too small, or too large for God.
Finally, as Steve also said, there is no reason that believers and groups of believer cannot pool their resources to send to someone in need - much as Paul encouraged the churches to give to believers in Judea who were in need.
I don't have all the answer. But, sometimes broadening the questions and looking for answers that are not always expected can allow God to work in unexpected and amazing ways.
-Alan
Steve,
Your random thoughts are welcome here. I think that the paradigm is shifting, too, but I don't know what it will look like. Most likely, it will look like several different things.
Alan,
I like how you broadened the original question. I'm going to think about what you said for a bit. You've gotten my wheels a turnin'...
Mary
Yes, we need to "re-think missions". More than just the support.
The "tentmaking" approach is a good one if it works for the individual, and is possible in the country you feel called to.
I feel that "missions" has to expand beyond the traditional, beyond "church planting", and as such other funding options become available.
If you're out "starting churches", funding options are limited, but if you are "helping people", funding is available from a far wider variety of sources.
And don't even get me started on the ridiculous overhead of some mission sending agencies. That's one of the reasons we avoided that route for our family!
I think it is fairly simple. First, you listen for God's voice and call on your life. We know that He has told all believers to go. The next question is where, Lord? If He tells you to go cross-culturally, for example, then you may very well need support to accomplish that.
Second, you know Who God Is. He is always faithful. He always feeds the ravens and clothes the lilies and will do the same for you. If he has told you to go to Uzbekistan, then He will also provide a way to make that happen.
Third, you view support raising as it is. It is a ministry. When God blesses you with the calling of going full-time on support (and it is a blessing because it requires great faith that He alone can give), you suddenly have two dynamic ministries... one to the people to whom He has called you to go as a missionary and one to the people at home who are sending you. You get to be a pastor of a mobile church. It's fantastic!
Support raising is a joy. It creates dependency, fosters love, and makes ministry a part of life 24/7. That's what we are all called to anyway. It also is all about giving and receiving, which are Kingdom of God principles and it is great fun to see them at work as you give and receive!!!! It's all His and He is infinite in capacity.
Oh, let me add that support typically comes more from individuals than it does from whole churches, and that is an incredible blessing.
Wow, great questions! As a missionary who is supported by the financial giving of friends, families and churches, this is a critical question. Let me share some thoughts.
Tentmaking is a common response to this question. It does work in many contexts and it requires an integrated, missional view of life within a culture. Living with commonality/mutuality with those you are called to is essential, and this can help. It also requires a level of creativity that can be very beneficial. However, not every culture, context or circumstance allows such options.
Part of this challenge comes as a result of learning that to be missional one must connect to the communities we find ourselves in. A challenge for the truly missional church is to grow this local connectedness while maintaining the global identity that is (and must be) inherent to Christianity. The beautiful eschatological image of worshiping before the throne of every tongue, tribe and nation brilliantly affirms both our local identity, but unified diversity.
One of the approaches that YWAM has maintained to offset some of this is that the missionary connects individually to each supporter. While YWAM may offer the service of processing the support, the line of relationship goes from the missionary directly to the individuals or communities that support them. This brings with it other problems and more work, but it has helped bypass organizational overhead and habitual giving (as opposed to relational giving).
Further, even small or house churches- more specifically those Christians who are part of them- must recognize that their own lifestyles must change to help support these missional endeavours (and to support their own missional engagement, for that matter). We need to be honest about the fact that most of us in the West live incredibly rich lives, especially given the level to which we fail to live practically as communities. (This point deserves more treatment than I can offer here).
Speaking personally, the level of work I do in my ministry could not be accomplished should I try to keep another job- even 1/4 time. It just wouldn't work. Some missional endeavours require a more consuming involvement. This is not better nor worse than tentmaking, it is just a reality. While I see the tension Alan mentions (of some being consumed with responsibilities they shouldn't have to shoulder), this is not the case with us (for the most part).
Things are changing and missionary support- nay, the whole concept of missions- must change as well. However, it is not about abandoning one system for another, but rather shifting and developing as is needed, led by the Spirit and fueled by the gifts He gives.
Again, GREAT topic. Thanks!
Peace,
Jamie
I loved this question so much I just posted on it at my blog (mainly what I already said here). I am pointing people this way. Thanks again!
Peace,
Jamie
I gotta say, I've been ruminating on David Bosch's Transforming Mission for the last couple months--especially the third section where he discusses mission in a post-modern context. I agree with him in his assessment that the direction of missions (traditionally from the Western context to or for the 2/3 World) is changing. There are thriving Christian communities in the Third World that are developing their own theology (as opposed to simply repackaging Western theology/creeds). They are even starting to send missionaries to the First world.
The difficulty traditional (Western/colonial) missionaries are facing with fund raising may just be a symptom of a larger shift in mission overall. It isn't about exporting Western culture/technology/standards/theology/etc. anymore. It is about learning from each other, respecting their culture without swallowing it, and taking part in mission together. IMO, missions will more take the form of partnerships rather than missions organizations. Then it isn't about raising support--it is about spiritual sharing.
I'd strongly recommend the book if you haven't read it already.
A couple of follow-up questions for the dialogue here (this is a fantastic discussion!)
1. I mentioned "tentmaking" in my initial comment, and several people have said that tentmaking isn't always possible in every situation. I would love for someone to give me one or two examples of where this is true (that tentmaking isn't possible) so that I can reshape my understanding. (And that's a serious question, not an argumentative one. I want to have a different understanding if I'm being too naive here.)
2. With regard to support of missionaries. The thought that just came to my mind is related to Paul saying that those who preach the gospel can make their living by the gospel. This is often thought of in this context (missions) as justifying support for those we send.
However, as I'm sitting here thinking about it, I'm thinking of the context in which Paul wrote that, and to whom he wrote it. He was talking to the very people to whom he was sent, was he not? He wasn't talking to a sending church and saying that he had a right to be supported by them.
Additionally, when Jesus sent out his disciples, he told them not to take provision with them, but that they would be provided for by "the man of peace".
So my second question is: Is there any biblical precedent for sending missionaries with full support?
Again, this is not meant to be argumentative, but I think that this discussion warrants a "clean slate" look at what biblical teaching and examples we do have before we extrapolate out what our cultural understanding is.
Any thoughts?
Steve, I would agree with jamie that one cannot do the work required and "tent make." I think that this is best possible for someone who has a job such as a doctor, who could work for a year and make enough money to then go and work full time in missions for a couple of years and then return to practice full-time, etc. I'm sure there are other ways to do this, but I see mission work as a 24/7 job in most instances. I suppose one's calling could be to something different and they could do both. This difficulty could change, however, if more people obeyed the great commission. Go over to Alan Knox's post today and consider that one in the context of whether or not many in the church today are the son who said he would obey but then didn't...
I don't think there is biblical precedent for fully supported missionaries, but I am not sure that there is biblical support against it either. I think it provides a broader base for ministry when one goes out on the support of individuals, however. You end up with a ministry going forward and in return.
3 John says "Beloved, you are acting faithfully in whatever you accomplish for the brethren, and especially when they are strangers; and they have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their way in a manner worthy of God. " (3 John 5-6 - NASB).
And in the Message version this same passage says:
5-8Dear friend, when you extend hospitality to Christian brothers and sisters, even when they are strangers, you make the faith visible. They've made a full report back to the church here, a message about your love. It's good work you're doing, helping these travelers on their way, hospitality worthy of God himself! They set out under the banner of the Name, and get no help from unbelievers. So they deserve any support we can give them. In providing meals and a bed, we become their companions in spreading the Truth.
Rainer,
Thanks for the thoughts you added. What is the route that your family took for missions?
Bryan,
Great thoughts! Thanks for including the verses. You've made me think of some more questions about the practical ways of raising support and maintaining a relationship with supporters. I think I'll ask these in a later post.
Jamie,
Thanks for weighing in on this issue. I like the relational aspect you mentioned. I left a comment over at your post.
Bob,
You said,
"IMO, missions will more take the form of partnerships rather than missions organizations. Then it isn't about raising support--it is about spiritual sharing."
I really like this. I think it will be the global Body of Christ working together.
I haven't read that book. I'd like to read it.
Steve,
I have some of those same questions and agree that everything needs to be looked at again - no sacred cows allowed.
Mary
Bryan, you wrote: I would agree with jamie that one cannot do the work required and "tent make."
I didn't see Jamie as making this a blanket statement, but talking about himself in particular. Maybe I misunderstood.
So are you saying that no one can be a missionary and "tent make"? That seemed to be where your comment was headed.
Additionally, Jamie's comment (as well as Rainer's) was that it wasn't always possible, based on the country or culture to which one was called. That's different from what you seem to be saying.
My question was for someone to give me an example of where tentmaking is not possible. Now, I see you as saying that it's only possible for the very wealthy.
If it's true that missions work is 24/7 and so one can not be a tentmaker, then how was Paul able to do it, and why did he use himself as an example?
As always, I'm not trying to be argumentative. Just pressing the issue a bit.
On a more positive note, I do completely agree with your statement that if more people were involved, the difficulty would go away.
Steve,
I think you understood my comments correctly, as I think tentmaking needs to a more common practice. I have friends, however, who are in countries and cultures where their remote location and the surrounding poverty eliminate the ability to practice tentmaking.
Peace,
Jamie
Did you read my entire comment? I was trying to make it clear that I wasn't making a blanket statement either. I shouldn't have used the pronoun "one," however, and said "most today." In the context of my comment, where I go on to talk about the work being huge because so few are heeding the call, that is what I was tryign to highlight. Yes, missionaries can tent make, and there are times God will call you to do so, but in my brief experience as a missionary, the work is so much that I wouldn't be effective at it if I were also doing other work.
Bryan,
I did read your whole comment. Several times, in fact. Give me a little more credit, brother! :) If I misunderstood what you were saying, that's one thing. But I was trying to respond to what you actually said. You've clarified in this response, and that's productive.
It's ok if we disagree, but I would prefer not to make it an issue of thinking that one didn't actually read the comment. I don't think that's necessary between you and me after the productive discussions we have had on my blog, Alan's blog, your blog.
At any rate, I don't desire to press the issue further in the context. Thanks for the dialogue, and I look forward to more of the same, my dear brother! :)
When our kids go on short term missions, they send out support letters in which they give others the opportunity to give toward spreading the good news if they are unable to go themselves.
I was once thinking about house churches and the "tithe". If 10 families were in a house church and each had "average" incomes and they tithed, they could support a full time missionary who would have the same income as themselves. Imagine every 10 Christians having 1 full time missionary.
Steve, I am sorry that I came across that way. I was pridefully upset with myself that my comment wasn't clear! I just couldn't believe anyone would have to question it. :) I hate pride! Praise God God loves me and thank you for your grace.
Bryan, no problem. I need grace, too, from time to time so I'm sure it won't be long before you get to return the favor! ;)
Blessings, brother.
inheritor,
Thanks for your thoughts. They've gotten me thinkin'...
Mary
Hi! I'm new to your blog and am glad I found it (I think via Grace's blog). I didn't have time to read all the comments on this post and the newer one about missionary support, but I you really hit on a subject that I have a lot of opinions on!! I won't take up a whole comment sharing them, but I do speak from about 14 years of experience working for a huge Intl. Missionary organization with mostly supported staff. It has its pros and cons for sure.
I hope that your friends are able to build up the support they need to continue their work.
Bless you!
Barbara
Barbara,
Thanks for stopping by! I'd like to hear your thoughts about missionary support. Have you written about this on your blog?
Mary
Tentmaking is difficult for one very simple reason: you can't give 100% of your time and energy to either tentmaking or ministry, and one or the other suffers.
Usually, it's the ministry, because if your tentmaking suffers, you get fired or if you're self-employed, you simply don't make enough money to make ends meet. So, typically, ministry gets shelved "just for now, until things are going better".
Wendy & I have NEVER been supported by a sending church nor a denominational entity. It's all about relationships and mutual prayer support.
YWAM is changing too, as I'm sure Jamie A-R would agree, but let it be at least said once that YWAM's "overhead" is miniscule compared to most big-name missions agencies. YWAM bases itself, as Jamie has already said, on relational support instead of institutional support.
Brian Riley's first comment is a gem! You stated some very important things that I would echo whole-heartedly.
<tongue-in-cheek>
Based on robbymac's assertions, one can only imagine how much more effective Paul could have been in his ministry if he hadn't had to "tentmake".
</tongue-in-cheek>
The question that I have posed here has been unanswered by those who decry tentmaking. Not that anyone is still reading this, but here it is again:
If it's true that missions work is 24/7 and so one can not be a tentmaker, then how was Paul able to do it, and why did he use himself as an example?
Steve,
You're right. St. Paul could do it (obviously), so I'll quit YWAM tomorrow and get a "real" job.
Just kidding! Total over-reaction!
But I've tried the "tent-making" thing before -- for six years, then another stint for two years, and later another eight years -- so I'm not theorizing, I'm telling you my story.
And I've wondered, during those tent-attempts, if I was doing the "right thing", and I could come up with all kinds of reasons why tent-making was superior to being supported, until I finally hit upon my core reason for tent-making:
I'm TOO DANGED PROUD to allow other people to support me. I am a rugged individualistic Canadian who values his independence and autonomy more than anything else. "I am a rock, I am an island", as the songwriter says.
I've since repented of trying to say to the rest of the Body, "I have no need of you..." (1 Cor. 12:21)
Just realized the conversation was still going on.
Robbymac,
Thanks for weighing in. I really like what you said about relationships and mutual prayer support. Oftentimes I think that has been lacking in Western missions - or at least from what I've experienced. I also appreciate the perspective you bring as one who has tried tent-making. I agree that it's not as easy as it may sound. And, being on support requires a level of trust in God's provision and connection with the Body that isn't always required when we have a "real job."
Steve,
I, too, wonder about Paul's tent-making and what that means for today. I still don't know. Thanks for looking for answers.
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