Who wants to be the next missionary?

Posted by admin on Oct 3, 2010 in Issues & Ideas | 0 comments

Okay, so let me get this straight: “missionaries” today are those cross bearing, scripture quoting, Bible thumping super Christians who bring their doctrine, money, and stuff to the poor and inept people around the world right? Isn’t it true that they force people to give up their culture and language in order to adopt Western ways? Don’t they only go on missions trips to vacation in tropical places and get a nice tan? Did I get it all?

Now I ask you, who wants to be the next missionary?

The area of global Christian missions has been covered in these stereotypes for decades, and they are now becoming a piece of Christian mission history. This is with good reason: these things have happened, and we cannot escape the fact that actions in the past and today will be held against future Christian missionaries. The only thing left to do is face it and change it.

Facing and changing the negative perceptions about missionaries cannot be done instantly. First of all, future missionaries need to recognize the full and complete history of the vocation—including the root of these stereotypes. Next, they need not refrain from admitting their faults or the faults of their predecessors to those who slander them. Persecutors can do little damage when everything is out in the open. Additionally, missionaries need to recall the wonderful things that God has done in the mission field, and use those stories as a means of encouragement for themselves and others.

A challenge that I put out to future missionaries is to be a history maker. Take a stand for your vocation and turn the tide of stereotypes. Decades from now when you hear people speak about missionaries, maybe it will be about their compassion, understanding, and love that comes from humble perseverance. One day I hope you hear, “Wow those Christian missionaries really know how to love like Christ.” To God
be the glory.