The New Missionary

When I came to the mission field over ten years ago, I certainly had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was like the newly enlisted soldier who signed up to go to war but found out later it wasn’t everything he thought it was going to be! Looking back now I can see how ill prepared I was. I was so green that if I got any “greener” I’d be switching color spectrums into hues of yellow! Needless to say, time has helped me learn a few lessons along the way. Thankfully, many of those lessons were learned by others sharing their own mistakes with me. Isn’t this the preferred method of learning? However, how much fun would it be if we didn’t make our own blunders as well?! It’s our past experiences that make us into who we are today. Whether we decide to better ourselves from those experiences is a whole different story altogether!

 Becoming a missionary is quite a lengthy process. Even after one makes the decision to enter missionary service, it will usually take many years before they can get to their respective field. With the current system, missionaries go on “deputation” across the United States to raise their financial support. It’s during this time that this new missionary will present his burden to reach a certain area with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

There are many dangers that this new missionary can fall prey to throughout this time period.  Although, if you prepare yourself for these challenges beforehand, you’ll find that you’ll have a much more pleasant experience! Below is a list of four categories that a missionary can fall into if he’s not careful.

1. The Hollywood Pro

After making the same presentation several dozen times in different churches, it’s easy for the new missionary to become an entertainer. He has everything scripted out so He knows how to get the crowd, when to say the right jokes, and how to make use of the most popular cliché’s! Basically, this missionary turns into a politician. Everything he does, and everything he says is designed to draw in the money. I know that sounds pretty bad and that’s probably because it is. It’s easy to stoop to using marketing techniques in churches instead of relying on God to provide. Have you ever wondered why some missionaries have pictures of small, under fed children in their presentation around the same time they bring up how much money they need? The Hollywood Pro is a first class manipulator that preys on the feelings of others.

When I was on deputation, we would often see the same missionaries at multiple conferences. This turned out to be quite interesting because you got to notice a few things in their presentation. One man would always pull out the tears at a certain point and then pause for effect before he continued. Of course, to everyone there, this was a genuinely sincere man that was overtaken with the need. After watching the same exact performance three or four times at different meetings I wanted to yell out, “Faker!”

Being a missionary is not about show-biz. It’s about presenting the need of a certain land and showing what God is doing! Theatrics impress everyone but God.

2. Missionary Big Bucks

One of the greatest mistakes you can make on deputation is to start viewing everything through dollar signs. Missionary Big Bucks only thinks about the money and forgets that it’s God that will provide for his needs. Pray and ask the Lord how you can be a blessing to those you meet! Some of the best friendships we have are with people that we met as we traveled on deputation.

Deciding to be a giver and not just a taker can transform your whole experience with the churches you visit. Obviously, you need to raise money to get to the field but you don’t need to be obsessed with it. I was at one church where all they gave me was a little bag of quarters for a love offering. But the fellowship at that meeting was wonderful, and that weekend is remembered as a time of refreshment. Remember, there are other things that are more important than money.

3. Mr. Army of One

This is the missionary that views all other missionaries as competition. I know this might be hard to understand but we’re all on the same side! You would be surprised at how envious Mr. Army of One gets when he sees others succeed or get large love offerings. If you notice a fellow laborer moving ahead in some area or getting closer to his departure date, be happy with him!

I was at one mission’s conference and it was so sad that it was almost comical! There were around thirty missionaries in one room and as I sat back against the wall you could notice how they all were trying to outdo each other. They all had a bigger story and a lower life expectancy rate in their targeted country. It was like an ecclesiastical “king of the hill” as they all were trying to get to the place where they could rub shoulders with the pastor.

If it’s all about “who you know” then make sure you know Jesus Christ. He’s the one that will be helping you during this time.

4. The Lazy Loner

Because you’ll be traveling a lot, it’s incredibly easy to neglect your own personal devotions. The Lazy Loner has his list of ten messages that are good for any meeting he’s in and so fails to continue his own personal study in the Word. He never progresses with his walk with Christ and so he stagnates in his own idleness.

Be prepared to have a lot of extra time when you’re on the road. Because you’ll be the one speaking a lot in the churches you’re in, it might be a good idea to take along some preaching CDs to listen to in the car. If you don’t take steps to feed yourself spiritually then you’re going to have a long, depressing road ahead of you!

So, if you’re that “new missionary” that’s on the deputation trail, make sure to do things right. Many of the habits you form on the road now will follow through to your ministry on the foreign field. Don’t be afraid to ask veteran missionaries for advice and counsel.  I’ve had the pleasure to meet and work a long side some of the best missionaries in the country. It was from the wisdom and experiences of these men that I developed my own strategy and missions philosophy. Being a missionary is probably one of the hardest things you can do with your life but it’s also the most rewarding. May God bless you as you serve Him!

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~ by Damon on January 6, 2012.