Redefining Missions: Evaluating The Missions Program

Cancel the missions program! I am not the first to exclaim that, and I likely won't be the last. However, I do hope that I have value to add to the conversation. It's not that I want to do away with missions, but as long as humans tainted by sin are responsible for implementing the great commission, it will be a flawed system in constant need of reevaluation and restructuring.

The existence of that reality combined with the ambition to glorify God in all that we do (1 Corinthians 10:31) coerces us to think more deeply about what we do and why we do it. I fear that the way we do missions will become formalized by a corporate mentality, defined by humanistic philosophy, and driven by an autonomous ideology if we don't bring our missions underneath the authority of God and His revealed will. Therefore, I implore you to consider how we might do missions by first understanding the advantages of evaluating our missions "program."

Redefining, or rather reevaluating, how we do missions immediately invokes resistance. After all, as some would say, "This is how we have done it for the last 50 years. Why do we need to change now?" Already that mentality conveys indifference and complacency. Reevaluation doesn't have to indicate change. Instead, it is just that: an evaluation to see how we may fulfill our call better. Perhaps the assessment may reveal that there is no need for adjustment, but in an attitude of humility, we should at least open ourselves to the possibility of modification. Allow me to convince you of this need in missions with three areas of consideration.

Leverage God’s Word
The Word of God never changes; therefore, His revealed will never changes. However, the world in which we live does change. Now, I don't mean to imply that we must adjust God's Word to the culture, as many suggest. I only mean to say that as changes occur, we must assess them according to God's truth. Consider the advancements of technology (something that serves as an example later also). It is ever-changing, compelling us to adapt. As missions is forced to contend with the implementation of technological advancements, we use biblical truth to evaluate both their value and the manner in which we are permitted to use them.

Consider also that just because we have always done something one way does not mean it was the best way or the biblical way. Missions is not excluded from the influence of sin, because even though it's God's work it utilizes the labors of humans. Early on, some men set the standard that missions requires one to forsake everything. The combination of commitment and self-sacrifice is admirable. However, what is not usually referenced is the cost of that sacrifice. For some, like William Carey, their family life was in shambles. God clearly used these men, a point to not overlook, but neither do we overlook that they disqualified themselves from ministry. While they had become an example for future missionaries to sacrifice regardless of cost, "this is how we have always done it," it is rarely sufficient justification for the future. That attitude gives greater certainty to the need for ongoing evaluation that we may leverage the Word of God appropriately for missions.

Leverage God’s Resources
Throughout generations God has gifted the church new tools helpful for fulfilling His will. The resources show the grace He has bestowed upon us. We are called to steward those gifts according to His glory and for the good of His people. Therefore, as advancements and changes occur, we evaluate their use biblically and then practically.

As previously mentioned, the most apparent transformation in recent generations is that of technology. The quick pace of advancement in the industry of technology can be both a benefit and a burden. Our task is to constantly undertake an evaluation to implement a rightful and beneficial use of those changes. This is part of the task of evaluating our missions programs so that we may better leverage the resources that God has given us.

Leverage God’s People
Finally, the stewardship of resources for God’s glory encapsulates the stewardship of people. What does it mean to steward God’s people? From Scripture, we know that each individual is uniquely gifted and equipped according to God’s plan, specifically to serve Him where He places them. Our task should be to place people into serving according to how God has equipped them.
Churches change over time. Some members move; others pass away. At the same time, new members join us. Such movements and changes require ongoing evaluation for the following purposes:

• First, changes in people require that duties and responsibilities be shifted according to how God has equipped individuals.
• Perhaps most surprising is that these changes also require the church to adjust its focus, doing only what the people of the church are able to do.

Stewardship extends beyond just financial resources but to our use of all of God's resources, including people. Sometimes, that requires adjustment to our plans, including our engagement of the great commission.

We are not called to be God's professionals but God's apprentices. We love Him, learn from Him, and labor for Him. All that we do is motivated by our desire to do His work according to His will, and that may require us to reevaluate how we do missions. You may ask, though, "If we are to cancel the missions program, what are we to do?” And for that, I’ll answer next time.