When it comes to raising support (for oneself and on behalf of others) there is always the issue of pride involved. How will people view us when we ask for money? Another aspect to consider in raising support is the importance of building credibility and trust. People need to consider whether they can trust us, that the money they raise for us will do exactly what they are sending to do. This is especially the case for western churches supporting Africans. There have unfortunately been issues of dependency and misuse, which has clouded the view of westerners supporting Africans.
Faith
The most important thing to remember when raising financial support is that, God is our provider. He is the source. When we lack the faith to believe that God has a way to provide for us, our faith wavers, and we come to a place where we will doubt God’s provision. Then we start manipulating people to give. I have seen and heard of African missionaries who have raised finances, based on the fact that they are poor. This is manipulation. Being poor is not the right reason to get people to support you. All you need is to be able to share about your vision with conviction and confidence.
As we share about our work and share with our friends, family and other people about our ministries in confidence, we are inviting them to minister with us in the work we are doing. You are part of the Body of Christ, in an interdependent relationship. Workers are worthy of their wages. God has given us a promise regarding provision:
Mark 10:28 – 30 (ESV)
28 Peter began to say to him, "See, we have left everything and followed you." 29 Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.
This is a factual promise. We are to take it literally, not necessarily that you will own that number of things, but He will give them to you. If you are not faithful with the things of the world, who will trust you with TRUE riches? (Jesus is saying money is not true riches.) True riches are our inheritance, here we read how God has blessed us in the heavenly realms with all riches.
Wealth is something that we can be stewards of. We are not the owners, but stewards. We become uneasy about our fundraising based on our perception of how others view us. Some of the things that would might make us uneasy with fundraising are:
Lack of confidence in our ministry, and feeling guilty as to how we can pay people back.
Feeling like a beggar, lack of security in the process
Sense of dependence and pride
Scared it will put relationships at risk
Feeling judge by others for asking for money.
God is our provider. We look to him for our support. The people we approach are a channel that God uses. Our focus is not on the people and what they can give, but God. This makes us even more dependable and accountable to God, when it comes to how we spend the money that is given to us.
This also applies to people who give. God has given them the money to be a blessing to others. Besides our tithe and offerings, we are also accountable as to how we use our finances thereafter. Giving to missionaries does not mean that we now can control them, or the ministries that they are involved in.
Financial integrity
The word integrity is a widely spoken word amongst Christians. As missionaries, it’s a highly valuable characteristic we need, in terms of personal and ministerial financial integrity. As missionaries, most of our finances are from donors, and they understandably want to know that their money is spent wisely. Donors can afford to be selective regarding who they support, as there, are so many missionaries. They are looking for those with financial integrity.
Jesus uses a number of parables to teach on stewardship. There are various elements found in the parables, and emphasizing key aspects: a time of giving resources, a time of testing the person’s use of resources, an accounting for use; and related outcomes - whether it was increased resources and responsibility, or whether it was judgement (Luke 12:13-21; Luke 16:10-12; Luke 19:11-26; Matthew 25:14-30). God’s stewardship principles reward integrity, and involve consequences for the lack of integrity.
1 Corinthians 4:2 (ESV) - Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.
God’s stewardship system also holds a warning to those who have much. God’s reward is not based on how much we have, but on how well we handle what we have - whether it is vehicles, time, money, supporters, position, relationships, or spiritual gifts. Integrity and excellence in managing any of our resources results in an increase, but negligence can result in having resources taken away.
When a supporter gives money towards a particular project, and they later find out that it was used for a personal use - the next time a missionary asks for money they will be hesitant in giving, or it will given with conditions. Donors are becoming more critical as to who they give their money to. It is also biblical for us as missionaries to recognize the need to give an accounting of how we use our money, and to expect God and our donors to reward our integrity!
Newsletters
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"When I get to China, I will have no claim on any one for anything.
My claim will be alone in God and I must learn before I leave England
to move men through God by prayer alone"
- J. Hudson Taylor
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One of the ways that most missionaries raise Prayer and Financial Support is through writing Newsletters. There has being some discussions as to whether this method works in Africa. Some have found that it has worked, and for others it has not worked. I have found that the more newsletters I write, the more I have some people standing with me in prayer, and occasionally giving too. Most African missionaries do not have the support-base at home to send newsletters to. It is only when they have being in missions for some time that they will begin to know people who they can send newsletters to. In most cases, they will send newsletter to westerners that they would have met through their involvement in missions work. Newsletters are a vital part to a missionary’s ministry. They are part of a long-term commitment and investment regarding building relationships with people. This will enable them to have a support structure of people who will be constantly supporting them. Our foundational need for us is to have people believing in our ministry and in us. They are a means of letting others know of our prayer needs (concerning our spiritual growth, our relationships with other team members, our ministry, times of discouragement) to share our excitement about the things that God is doing, and our personal needs. Newsletters may be the only source of missions information other people have. People have been able to get a greater understanding of what missions are about through the newsletters of those that they are reading about.
Paul wrote to the believers and asked for specific prayer for open doors, for God’s grace and for endurance. He informed people of where he was travelling to next:
Romans 15:30-33 (ESV)
30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32 so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Our focus should be on raising a team of prayer supporters, and trusting God enough to touch people’s hearts to give. A lot of African missionaries have focused their newsletter writing on westerners. This has left out a lot of Africans from also being part of what God is doing in missions. It seems that when we want finances we focus on the West, and when we want prayer then we focus on the Africans! If we are to see awareness for missions, and the African church mobilised for World Missions, then the African missionaries on the field have a responsibility to be able to inform the A
frican church about what is going on regarding missions. That primarily happens through our newsletters.
Through our newsletters, we will over time build credibility by consistently sharing our vision and the details of our ministry. You can build trust by your diligence, sacrifice, and faithfulness. Our newsletters help to keep us accountable to God and also to our team of supporters.
Writing newsletters is Biblical, and there are core principles that we can apply in a way that is cultural appropriate. Paul on occasions wrote letters that we can utilize as missionaries.
The book of Acts shows clearly that Paul and Barnabas returned to their church after their missionary trip so they could communicate:
Acts 14:26-28 (ESV)
26 and from there they sailed to Antioch, where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled. 27 And when they arrived and gathered the church together, they declared all that God had done with them, and how he had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they remained no little time with the disciples.
The book of Romans is can actually be a newsletter written to believers in Rome. Paul included foundational understanding for reaching out to Gentiles, and suggested that he would come for a visit - and hoped that they would provide for him on his way to Spain:
Romans 15:15-17 (ESV)
15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God.
Romans 15:24-28 (ESV)
24 I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings. 28 When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you.
The second letter to Corinth was a follow up on his previous visit and letter, but he also felt obligated to write to them and let him know how he was doing since they had been praying for him!
2 Corinthians 1:8-11 (ESV)
8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. 9 Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. 10 He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
They communicated with the churches that had sent them out. They communicated with believers who were involved with their ministry. They ministered to the people who supported them in prayer and with finances. They spent personal time with those who supported them. They communicated what they were doing, and why. And finally, they communicated the results of their ministry (i.e. what God was doing through them).
Paul was bold in asking for prayer. He was open and honest about the needs and struggles. His prayer requests were as personal and specific. In other words, they were not just general. And they were not just suggestions, but bold appeals for prayer:
These were not just suggestions, but bold appeals for prayer.
1 Thessalonians 5:25 (ESV)
25 Brothers, pray for us.
Ephesians 6:18-20 (ESV)
18 Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Romans 15:30-31 (ESV)
30 I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints,
2 Corinthians 1:11 (ESV)
11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
Philippians 1:19-20 (ESV)
19 for I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance, 20 as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honoured in my body, whether by life or by death.
Colossians 4:3-4 (ESV)
3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak..
2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 (ESV)
1 Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honoured, as happened among you, 2 and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. For not all have faith.
Hebrews 13:18-19 (ESV)
18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honourably in all things. 19 I urge you the more earnestly to do this in order that I may be restored to you the sooner.
We are to work as a team, God’s instruments to be used as he see fit. We are to be servants to all, regardless of training or talents.
Mark 10:45 (ESV)
45 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
A lot of African missionaries feel that there has not being sufficient teaching on the principles and benefits of building a support team. They are so disconnected from their local churches, and have no accountability outside of their missions’ organizations. They find it is difficult to try and build a team around them when most people do not understand what they are doing. The feeling that it will not work in Africa, and individuals who feel it will not work for them. As a result, people don’t persevere with building their support team. Nonetheless, when we send out our newsletters, these are the principles that we seeking to put into practice. Whenever we can we should seek to do face-to-face communication, using the opportunity to build relationships and share about what God is doing in us and through our missions work.
The PRIMARY way that you should communicate with your churches, your pastors, your friends, and your family members is face-to-face conversation. Though for most missionaries, regular face-to-face visits are not always possible because of distance.
Chapter 10
Local Church and Mobile Church
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"The mark of a great church is not its seating capacity, but its sending capacity."
- Mike Stachura
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There are two terms that define the local church and the Mobile Church. Many terms have been used to try to differentiate these two types of roles. In this book we will look at the terms “sodalities” (also called “Para-church organisation”) and “modalities”. Sodality focuses on a specialized task, made up of people who have made a second level of commitment to accomplishing a separate task; whereas and modality’s primary concern is in the building up and nurturing of believers.
During my time with working with churches and doing missions mobilization within churches, one of the questions asked a lot; is why we still need Sodality structures (Para-church organizations) today. So, do we still need Para- Church organizations?
First, some
background on how the two came into being: The local church has not succeeded in its endeavour to bring the gospel to the unreached in the last 2000 years. When Luther separated from the Catholic Church, he brought with him the local parish- ‘Modality’. Hence, for three years there was nonspecific mission work in the Protestant church - until the Moravians arrived on the scene.
The Catholics took over South America, penetrated the highest government in China, and took the gospel to India and Japan. But they were just taking care of their parishes. They had no structures for spreading the Gospel.
Then God raised William Carey, a young pastor and cobbler who wrote a paper on the means to reach unreached pagans. This later resulted in his church putting together a Missions Board (Sodality).
Over the next two hundred years, the protestant church grew amazingly in foreign missions. This happened because of the modified structure to cater for sodalities. Modality and sodality are two distinctions of calling of service to God for accomplishing the Great commission. We do have churches that are working hand in hand with sodality structures/ Para-church organizations; where a church sends a member of their congregation to work with a Para-church organization (e.g YWAM) to reach the Hindi People of India. Though the missionary is involved with YWAM, they are sent by their church. The sodality structures would have the training and necessary structures in place to fully equip and train the missionary. Additionally, there are some modality structures/churches that are also equipped to train and equip their own missionaries to be effective on the field.
Some modality structures/ local churches instruct their missionaries in linguistic skills and Bible translation. But few modality structures could run radio stations broadcasting to unreached people groups; and few modality structures/local churches could advise their missionaries concerning evangelistic strategies to a distant tribal group. A sodality structure/Para –church organization can highly advantageous in this instance with its specialty of calling.
The Whisper That Echoes Through Africa Page 9