More often than not, “partnering in missions,” means small churches give what little money they think they can afford to a larger church or a missions sending agency that will handle mobilization, screening, indoctrination, training, sending, and maintenance of missionaries on the field. This is not “partnering,” it’s outsourcing.

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Watch Your Language

Posted January 16th, 2009 by Ernest

You shouldn’t compare ministries. If we’re all obediently doing what God leads us to do, such comparison shouldn’t even enter our minds.

Nevertheless, we compare.

Consider the words we use when we describe the work we’re involved in. We always seem to point out the huge population of the cities we work in. We spout statistics of “lostness” and “reachedness,” to the thenth of a degree. We talk about how hard it is, how dangerous, and how little we have to work with. No running water. No internet access. No movies in English. No peanut butter.

Boy, do we have it tough. We’re really suffering for Jesus.

James 1:2 tells us to count our trials as joy.  2 Corinthians10:12 says, “Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.”

Some might say, “We don’t mean anything by it.” But what’s the use then, in bringing these things up at all? To guilt people into supporting our work? To receive recognition for our sacrifice (See Matthew 6)? To obey is better than sacrifice, right?

Are we searching to validate our work? Relate the story of how God is orchestrating the expansion of His kingdom. Are we wanting to connect with other believers? Tell of the redemptive relationships you’ve made. Feel the need to convince people of the great spiritual need all around us? Forget about it. If the daily news and ongoing interaction with unbelieving people hasn’t convinced them, your story won’t either.

If God led you to minister to a people, that ministry is valid, important, and right. It needs no justification.  Talk about your ministry, but talk about what really matters. Refuse to compare your ministry to others.

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3 Responses to “Watch Your Language”

  • Justin Says:
    January 16th, 2009 at 9:33 pm

    I’m glad that I’ve reconnected with your blog again….you have a (provocative) way of saying things how I feel. Just the other day some really close friends told us that they were going to cut our support in half because they didn’t see any fruit in what we have been doing in comparison to some other ‘missionaries’…wow. It was funny because I didn’t feel a need to justify or argue about what we have or haven’t been doing…I just didn’t need to join her in her comparison. In the end, I am doing what I am doing because I want to be and do it with joy…

    I very much agree with focusing less on our ‘sacrifices’ as overseas workers…I get so tired of hearing about how hard it is, how much it costs, and using our ‘hardships’ as means of justifying us being supported financially. I say we get over it and let our passion for the kingdom be our voice…

    lastly…I think that your point about not using our ‘quantifications of lostness’ as a motivator really fascinating…I’ve never thought about that and I’m going to chew on that. At worst, this is a really prophetic point…

    thanks..

  • Strider Says:
    January 20th, 2009 at 7:33 am

    I was talking to some pastors who came out to visit Middle Earth a couple of years ago and they said, ‘So, you probably don’t think much of our ministries since we have it so easy and you have it so hard!’ I said, ‘Are you crazy! We fight the same enemy whether in the West or over here, whether with clean water and good electricity or without the battle we fight is against the same tough opponent.’
    You are correct in your understanding of not comparing because as we compare the things that are seen the things that are unseen tear us to shreds! The works of the evil one are no easier to undo in Seatle than they are here in Minas Tirith. We must walk in the Spirit to see the Kingdom advance no matter where we are.

  • stepchild Says:
    January 22nd, 2009 at 12:45 am

    Strider,
    I’ve heard workers in Europe say, “Work my be physically hard in some places, but it’s spiritually hard here.” That may be true, but I think we need to stop needing to prove how hard we have it.

    You’re right. The enemy does not rest. I hope we can learn to see the big picture and stop comparing/justifying how difficult things are.

    Thanks. It’s nice to hear from you.

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