A "D" Is Not A Passing Grade

Recently I read about a “movement” of sorts. Though small in number, this movement is made up of educators who are disturbed by the American educational grading system. Their concern is about high school graduates who do not have the basic tools of math, science and reading skills to compete in a global market. This has spurred these educators to challenge the status quo. Their mantra is:

A “D” is not a passing grade.

Their argument is that giving a student a “D,” and some even argue against a “C” is rewarding, maybe even encouraging, students to just get by. By passing kids to the next level in school with an average or below average grade, our school system is encouraging mediocrity. Our children, they contend, should only be allowed to move forward when their scores are above average.

When I think of missions, the local sending church and worldwide outreach, I wonder if part of the harvest problem isn’t due to having a “D” mentality. Getting by seems to be sufficient. Missions is not an integral part of the local church purpose but merely a part of their portfolio -- ministry things they do. To raise the bar in missions, to go beyond minimum requirements for the Great Commission (GC), I am suggesting there be a focus on three things: Information, Purpose, Plan (strategy, tactic, etc.).

In some ways I think Purpose should go before Information. The problem, however, is that without proper information a purpose is often created in a vacuum. There are many churches that have a purpose statement that says little to nothing about its role in the GC. When a local congregation is properly informed it can create an informed and focused purpose. So, here is a list of things the church needs to be educated about for global outreach.

* The Need – Two-thirds of the world population are not followers of Christ, one-third without a Gospel witness.

* People Group Thinking – Overseas and in your local community.

* Balanced Allocation of Funds – 70/30 plan….70% of resources for Jerusalem, Judea, Samara (Ac. 1:8) ministry, 30% to the utter most part of the (unreached) world.

Information is the engine for both Purpose and Strategy. It’s tempting to start making a mission plan on everything from partnering with national’s in reaching the unreached to creating a short-term mission projects before becoming well informed. But being partially informed in missions is part of the problem with “C” mission outreach in today’s church. We have too many churches who have just enough knowledge to be dangerous but not helpful. Much of their knowledge is based on half-hearted research and following the trends or flavor of the month mission strategy. Before launching into a tactic consider this:

Begin a year’s study of missions which includes, setting up a reading list, find a study program (like a Perspectives class) in your area, create a committee, enlist a consultant to walk your church through the process.

For the most part I would give the average American church a “C-“ for their GC grade. Certainly those who do it right, and there are a few, bring the average up. The church worldwide surely gets a “D.” For those who have never heard the name of Jesus, a “D” is not a passing grade.