Talking specifically about mission; this is a division in the Christ’s army that suffers greatly. The generals in this division also make the matter worse because of the beliefs held. Gosh! This is the division that sends out soldiers to war front, equipped only with ‘faith.’ I have heard it time without numbers that mission is by faith; and I begin to ask, which walk in the Body of Christ is to be by sight. Mission agencies send out their missionaries to mission fields with nothing. The missionaries are told or rather indoctrinated that you go live by faith. The agencies emphasize that Jesus sent out the disciples, asking them not to take purse or a change of raiment along; and to stay in the house wherever they are welcome and eat from there; Luke 9:1-5, 10:4.
This is share irresponsibility and abuse in our age. While the missionaries are on the field at the mercies of those they are trying to reach; the mission agencies directors are busy flying the globe in search of funds for the agencies, attending international conferences at the expense of the agency, and believing God for the needs of the agencies. This needs do not however include the needs of those on the field. Church this is evil. We seem to forget the context in which Christ sent out his disciples in that manner. We also fail to understand that the culture, practices, and customs of Jesus’ day are not what are obtained in our world today. Nobody wants to welcome any stranger in the name of the Lord anymore. It is open secret that we trade with the name of the Lord nowadays, and nobody wants to find out if the missionary has actually come in the name of the Lord or for the sake of their purse.
We also fail to realize that when Jesus was about to die and He gave instructions and directions about how the disciples were to approach mission in Luke 22:35-36; He charged them not just to go with purse (money) and scrip (the word), but also sword (ability to defend oneself, not just the spiritual sword which is the word). These were men who were operating among their own in their own nation. What would you say of the missionaries that have gone to strange people in strange lands?
I have met a number of missionaries from renowned mission agencies only to be shocked to learn they were asked to go live by faith. Let us quit this evil. Why subject missionaries to high level on indecent and beggarly lifestyle all in the name of ministry. Why make the salt of the earth detested. I have been practically involved in missions and still am; I must confess that mission is not to be ventured into unless you are ready to give it all. This however do not excuse the injustice the Nation (body) of Christ subjects her army.
If any group of people needs high support, it is these missionary soldiers. Besides financial needs, they are daily bombarded with emotional needs. Think about it for a moment. Many missionaries have fallen on the field, and were forced to compromise. When a missionary falls, the civilians are quick to criticize and pull out the scriptures to finally nail these missionaries. Am I excusing fall, sins, or errors? Absolutely not, I am simply saying when a missionary falls, we all fall. And we all are partly responsible. A missionary that finds himself at the mercy of those he reaches is likely to be compelled to do certain things he would not have done ordinarily. King David declared that there is a higher possibility for a man to put his hand into iniquity when bombarded on all sides by situation that threatens life. (Psalms 125:3). A missionary who has no other place to lay his head would probably accept the offer of a room like Elijah did when he lived with the widow of Zarephath, or Elisha with the Shunnamite. But this missionary may not be firebrand like these fire prophets.
Let us face it; missionaries are the soldiers in the body that suffer the most. Unlike in the days of Paul when he had to work in order not to be a burden to those he was ministering to. I guess the legal system in his days was quite different. I for example work in a field where the law system and missionary status forbids you to engage in a job. What do you do with no support? The options are; you will manipulate, beg, become a burden, compromise, or quit. The bold ones are taking the last option; quit. If everyone were to quit what would happen?
I have visited churches that give high challenge to believers to go into the field of life. We are told the harvest is ripe but the labourers are few. Yet these churches expect the labourers to go without support. Many even ask field evangelists to go to field with minimal support; that God will meet them along the way. I detest all these spiritual jargons. Jesus Christ (God) asked His disciples to go with what is needed-Luke 22:35-36; He could also have promised to send money to them. Why did He ask them to wait for the empowering of the Spirit and not promise them the Spirit while at the work? You equip before you commission; period! Do we then wonder why the field evangelists have little result, compromise and later withdraw or withdrawn for non-performance. High result is a product of full motivation; which is high challenge, high support. Missionaries spend more time praying and sourcing for fund than doing the work. They are so exposed and often vulnerable.
A final word for those active in the field. Don’t give up, as long as you know that faithful is he who has called. Yes you may not have all it takes but if you will persevere and trust Him alone He will make a way. Never despair if your efforts do not produce result, many have not even attempted anything in life. Be strong and know that life is a journey not an event; but a series of events.
For those that even had to quit the field; to you I say well done. You may not have succeeded in your own assessment but God judges differently. Sometimes He allows situations and events to guide, direct and lead. Your time on that field might have expired without your realizing. We sometimes become more zealous than God about His work, but He his All seeing. Apostle Paul was zealous for the nation of Israel and would even stake his salvation for them, but God allowed him to be beaten (so bad), arrested, sent to Rome, imprisoned and eventually killed. If he had taken it negatively, you and I would not have the two-third of the New Testament. So do not moan, you have played your part. Just ask Him what next
This piece does not however suggest that we should abandon the field. It is designed to jerk the body of Christ out of sleep, to help the missionaries look unto God and not the church, and to help everyone assess the possibility of good performance. Don’t forget the law cannot be broken:
This is share irresponsibility and abuse in our age. While the missionaries are on the field at the mercies of those they are trying to reach; the mission agencies directors are busy flying the globe in search of funds for the agencies, attending international conferences at the expense of the agency, and believing God for the needs of the agencies. This needs do not however include the needs of those on the field. Church this is evil. We seem to forget the context in which Christ sent out his disciples in that manner. We also fail to understand that the culture, practices, and customs of Jesus’ day are not what are obtained in our world today. Nobody wants to welcome any stranger in the name of the Lord anymore. It is open secret that we trade with the name of the Lord nowadays, and nobody wants to find out if the missionary has actually come in the name of the Lord or for the sake of their purse.
We also fail to realize that when Jesus was about to die and He gave instructions and directions about how the disciples were to approach mission in Luke 22:35-36; He charged them not just to go with purse (money) and scrip (the word), but also sword (ability to defend oneself, not just the spiritual sword which is the word). These were men who were operating among their own in their own nation. What would you say of the missionaries that have gone to strange people in strange lands?
I have met a number of missionaries from renowned mission agencies only to be shocked to learn they were asked to go live by faith. Let us quit this evil. Why subject missionaries to high level on indecent and beggarly lifestyle all in the name of ministry. Why make the salt of the earth detested. I have been practically involved in missions and still am; I must confess that mission is not to be ventured into unless you are ready to give it all. This however do not excuse the injustice the Nation (body) of Christ subjects her army.
If any group of people needs high support, it is these missionary soldiers. Besides financial needs, they are daily bombarded with emotional needs. Think about it for a moment. Many missionaries have fallen on the field, and were forced to compromise. When a missionary falls, the civilians are quick to criticize and pull out the scriptures to finally nail these missionaries. Am I excusing fall, sins, or errors? Absolutely not, I am simply saying when a missionary falls, we all fall. And we all are partly responsible. A missionary that finds himself at the mercy of those he reaches is likely to be compelled to do certain things he would not have done ordinarily. King David declared that there is a higher possibility for a man to put his hand into iniquity when bombarded on all sides by situation that threatens life. (Psalms 125:3). A missionary who has no other place to lay his head would probably accept the offer of a room like Elijah did when he lived with the widow of Zarephath, or Elisha with the Shunnamite. But this missionary may not be firebrand like these fire prophets.
Let us face it; missionaries are the soldiers in the body that suffer the most. Unlike in the days of Paul when he had to work in order not to be a burden to those he was ministering to. I guess the legal system in his days was quite different. I for example work in a field where the law system and missionary status forbids you to engage in a job. What do you do with no support? The options are; you will manipulate, beg, become a burden, compromise, or quit. The bold ones are taking the last option; quit. If everyone were to quit what would happen?
I have visited churches that give high challenge to believers to go into the field of life. We are told the harvest is ripe but the labourers are few. Yet these churches expect the labourers to go without support. Many even ask field evangelists to go to field with minimal support; that God will meet them along the way. I detest all these spiritual jargons. Jesus Christ (God) asked His disciples to go with what is needed-Luke 22:35-36; He could also have promised to send money to them. Why did He ask them to wait for the empowering of the Spirit and not promise them the Spirit while at the work? You equip before you commission; period! Do we then wonder why the field evangelists have little result, compromise and later withdraw or withdrawn for non-performance. High result is a product of full motivation; which is high challenge, high support. Missionaries spend more time praying and sourcing for fund than doing the work. They are so exposed and often vulnerable.
A final word for those active in the field. Don’t give up, as long as you know that faithful is he who has called. Yes you may not have all it takes but if you will persevere and trust Him alone He will make a way. Never despair if your efforts do not produce result, many have not even attempted anything in life. Be strong and know that life is a journey not an event; but a series of events.
For those that even had to quit the field; to you I say well done. You may not have succeeded in your own assessment but God judges differently. Sometimes He allows situations and events to guide, direct and lead. Your time on that field might have expired without your realizing. We sometimes become more zealous than God about His work, but He his All seeing. Apostle Paul was zealous for the nation of Israel and would even stake his salvation for them, but God allowed him to be beaten (so bad), arrested, sent to Rome, imprisoned and eventually killed. If he had taken it negatively, you and I would not have the two-third of the New Testament. So do not moan, you have played your part. Just ask Him what next
This piece does not however suggest that we should abandon the field. It is designed to jerk the body of Christ out of sleep, to help the missionaries look unto God and not the church, and to help everyone assess the possibility of good performance. Don’t forget the law cannot be broken:
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