𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐃𝐨 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐨?

 

In a previous post, I gave my views on “is every Christian a missionary?”  I argued that, like the office of a pastor, teacher, and evangelist, the office as well as the gift of a missionary is unique.  

By default, every missionary is a cross-cultural worker, meaning they have left their own culture, and learned the language of the culture in which they serve.  

 

What then does a missionary do?  I have classified missionary work into four categories.  

Pioneers, Insiders, Clandestiner’s, Growers, and, Alongsider’s.

 

𝙋𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙧𝙨-  By definition, pioneer missionaries are the first to do something. They go to unreached areas and take the Gospel first.  You could say they are entrepreneurs, starting new ventures in places where no other person or group has gone.  Two hundred years ago pioneer missionaries were the norm.  They went to the unreached people and groups proclaiming the Good News to those who had never heard of Jesus.  We don’t have many true pioneer missionaries in today's mission world, but there are a few.  In Thailand, where I was last month, I know that there are some Western missionaries that are starting new churches.  If they are breaking new ground in that country that is true pioneer work.

 

𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬– Insiders are Christians from that country who live where, in many cases, it is illegal to be a follower of Christ and certainly will be killed or put in prison if they convert to Christianity. Of course, missionaries from the West are not Insiders but they can work with Insiders covertly.

 

𝘾𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙧’𝙨– In many restricted areas of the world, traditional church planting isn’t possible, and those who go to those countries cannot obtain a missionary or religious visa.  Clandestine work is living in these closed countries working in business or as a part of an NGO.  Many of these clandestine workers are working with Insiders.  I am familiar with at least three such American families who are serving in these restricted countries.  By nature, the work is slow and not visible which perhaps is a frustration for sending churches in America, but very important in reaching the most unreached peoples of the world nevertheless. 

 

𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬-  Much of the work of Western missionaries today is in the capacity of Growers. They serve in countries where there is freedom for the Gospel to start churches, build buildings, teach in seminaries, and offer social or youth programs.  Most of the work of Growers is in countries, that by definition, are already reached with the Gospel.  Of course, there are lost people in every corner of the world so their work is important. In function, however, they are not reaching the most unreached of the world but are involved in the church growth of the country they serve.  

 

𝘼𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙨– Alongsider’s are those who come alongside national workers to help them reach the unreached.  Many of the national Christians that work in restricted or closed countries have little opportunity to go to Bible College or seminary. Alongsider’s go to their countries or a neighboring country to teach God’s Word, disciple secret believers as well as help them learn ways they can be a witness in hostile environments.  

In a world where over half the world's population has no access to hear the Good News of Christ, and where nearly 95% of all Christian work is among countries that already have a strong Christian witness, I believe it is important that we understand the nature and work of missionaries.

I suspect that for most congregations throughout the world, we are “doing” missions but not really enhancing the Great Commission to take the Gospel to all the world.  What type of missionaries are we preparing for in cross-cultural work?  Are we equipping people for the unreached or merely promoting church growth?

 

It is my strong belief that until we change our paradigm of mission work and focus on how to partner with those serving in countries with the greatest need, we will continue to do missions but will fall short in reaching the uttermost parts of the world.