For sometime now I've been thinking and meditating on the subject I write about today --- "The Salesman and the Prostitute" - What do they have in common? The Salesman is trying to convince you that you need what he has to offer -- even if you don't think you need it -- he is persistent and at times "overbearing". The Prostitute has something to offer -- herself or himself -- and is trying to convince you that you need what they have to offer.
What does this have to do with KINGDOM CONCEPTS?? I'm writing today on the behalf of thousands of sincere servants of our Lord Jesus Christ - who are willing and ready to give everything they have to reach the unreached people of this world --- I'm writing about our Missionaries and our Evangelists.
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| Evangelists are God-called men and woman who are called to Preach the Gospel These faithful servants are called by God --- they are part of the Five-fold Ministry of Jesus Christ. Remember a few months ago, I wrote an article about "The Head of the Church" -- where I reminded us that God gave the Church five ministers -- Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors and Teachers. We must have the ministry of ALL five of these ministries.....not just from the Pastor. I don't know of any missions organization that adequately has a plan in place to fund the many men and women that volunteer to go to the four-corners of the earth to proclaim the Gospel to people who have never heard of Jesus. I don't know of any religious organization that has in place a mechanism to fund the travels of Evangelists - men and women who are called to travel the world, proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. NO - we make our Missionaries and our Evangelist become SALESMAN -- or if I can be so bold -- PROSTITUTES -- I know some of you are going to be angry with me for making that comparison, but hear me out ..... When a man or woman of God has to spend all their time, money, and effort to SELL themselves --- begging for a place to preach, so that they can obtain the funding for their work -- then what else will you call them??? I heard of a missionary just recently, who made 100 telephone calls -- got 10 people to answer -- and obtained 1 speaking engagement. That's 1%. Now I don't like telemarketers anymore than you do -- but, this is what our missionaries have become! This is NOT right!! I have always considered our Missionaries to be Heroes of the Faith -- they leave all the comforts of American life (or from whatever country they leave behind) -- and are willing, ready, able, and excited to live in another part of the planet -- to take their families with them -- and we treat them like SALESMAN or PROSTITUTES ! This is NOT right! For all the money that BIG denominations take in each year -- to pay for giant Headquarter buildings, and bloated staff with large salaries -- somewhere in there should be funds to send missionaries -- funds to help evangelists! Once again, let me pick on my Pastor friends -- remember I am one of them -- answering that phone call, that email, that letter -- would be a great start! Do Not Avoid the call of a dedicated servant of God! Do Not Ignore their requests! YOU NEED WHAT THEY HAVE TO OFFER!!! MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU DO! Stop promising to "return the call" when you have no intention on doing so! OUCH! Stop putting them off! Be honest and up front with them. The Missionary and the Evangelist are JUST AS MUCH A CALLED SERVANT OF THE GOSPEL AS YOU ARE!!! They are a part of the Five-Fold Ministry, as you are! You NEED THEM, just as they need YOU! Stop treating the Missionary and the Evangelist as if they were a Salesman or a Prostitute --- begging you to buy their wares! They are fellow-servants of our Lord Jesus Christ. What do you think? Pass this post along to your Pastor or Missions committee at your Church! |
4 comments:
The salesman/prostitute analogy might prove to be too controversial to produce the desired result of this venture. The expositional profile of the salesman highlighting the challenges of that profession might be sufficient to make the point out that it is a time consuming way to produce substantive results. The biggest problem with the prostitute comparison is that there is no real value in what they are selling. This is not the case with the Lord's charge to GO and spread the good news! It is a product of ultimate value!
I too have strong opinions about the system we currently have to finance missions.
Here is a concept, what if all christian churches tithed 10% of the tithes and offerings they receive back to missions. I do not believe their home ministry would suffer. In fact the very concept of tithing would help the church to thrive financially.
I have seen some churches that do tithe 10%, but it seems they are spreading their tithe out to numerous missions, kind of like investing in the market and ensuring they have part in numerous ministry ventures to ensure some successful end product. I do not think our churches would like it's congregation to do likewise. Some are most likely reaping what they sow in missionary tithes by having some of the congregation do exactly that. This promotes the very nature of the current problem as outlined by Pastor Railey. Missionaries have so many small contributors that it is taxing to travel to them all and show the congregation what their donations have done for the kingdom and even more taxing to recruit new participating churches.
How about that 10% missionary tithe more completely supporting worthy missions - with prayerful guidance in the tithing of the churches income. Special offerings and everything else above 10%could then support more of a variety.
What if this was God's design from the beginning.
It is hard to imagine that the collective tithe of christian churches could fall short of meeting the needs of missionaries throughout the world.
Just the opinion of a humble servant!
RL Smith
RLSmith -- thanks for the comment -- I agree with your thoughtful analysis ... I used the analogy to the prostitute realizing it was strong ... although the Gospel is the most valuable commodity -- the analogy falls so short -- but in reality there are many evangelists and missionaries who on some days feel like they are prostituting their ministry, to have to beg. Just like a woman's virtue is the highest thing she has, and to see her giving it away for money -- the Gospel is our valuable -- and we must no belittle it, or cause it to seem cheap -- it cost God His only begotten Son -- we should regard it, and respect it -- and the CHURCH has to change it's approach to these two ministries NOW ! I believe that the tithe of income from churches would go a long way in supporting the missionary cause of the church!!! Thanks for your insight!
What saddens me in the AG circle the missionaries have to come back every four years and raise support, visit Churches that support them. They have to leave the mission they spent 4 years of sweat and tears building up, give up their living quarters, vehicles, to have to start all over, or take months picking up where they left off.
I understand many may need that time after several years, and some after 4 may need it, but what a waste of effort if it is all because the church falters on their commitment and does not give cost of living raises. In today's economy in many countries the US dollar is so devalued that it may only do 80% what it use to do. SHAME on us!!!
I think have an idea though, with the use of FB,youtube and other means, the missionaries can make frequent updates,sometimes multiple daily, and weekly videos. Kenton Moody and Lorin Harris has done an excellant job of using the social media to advance what God has called them to do. Go to youtube, type in suvivor los hereos, or suvivor el salvador . CrossPoint has a missionary trip planned there in June. I contacted them and asked them to make a personal video specifically for CrossPoint. Can't wait to watch in infront of our church family.
So with the social media in place , why is AG so far behind the times?
I have no problem with your post btw,,,,
Paul McEwen
Paul -- you are SO RIGHT --- the rationale used to bring missionaries home every four or five years is twofold: (1) to give them a rest, and (2) to visit the supporting churches, and raise additional support (since the budget always go up, never down). Problem is: the work overseas will suffer, and the missionaries seldom get rest -- because they are trying to raise that support. I like the 10% tithe idea from the above comment by RLSmith -- However, you will need 100% of church members to actually give 10% of their income to the church -- then the church can give 10% of their income to MISSIONS. Thanks for the ideas -- let's keep the dialogue going.......
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