Sending healthy missionaries

by Greg Carter

Isaiah and Michele excitedly greet the pastor as they leave church on Sunday. "We've just been accepted by Totally Awesome Missions Agency to serve in Dogonistan," they say. "Our agency wants to make sure that we have our home church's support. Can we meet with you to learn what we need to do next?"

Hmmm, how much time do you have to figure this out?

The local church, in its calling to disciple Christians for effective living and serving, can have a significant impact on sending its own people to minister cross-culturally. Given enough advance warning of the interests of people like Isaiah nd Michele in the congregation, the local church can determine unique paths for individuals and couples as they sense God's call on their lives to serve Him in other settings.

Long before beginning to fill out the first application for a missions agency, there are issues in th areas of skill, knowledge and character where the local church can assist the potential missionary. The rigors of living in another culture, without the wealth and breadth of networks and systems that we enjoy here in the U.S., are taxing on even the most capable of people.

The astute church intentionally builds into its teens and adults the values and character that will serve them well in the setting where we pray that some will go: across cultures to serve as missionaries.

While missionary preparation may appear to be a formidable challenge, the local church can assemble the resources (personnel, experiences, reading and education) to give very credible training to its members who desire to go cross-culturally as healthy workers for the Kingdom. They will be both confident and capable as they serve with national believers in ways that develop and indigenous church.

Utilizing a mentoring approach, the local church invests in missions-inclined individuals and couples to develop competencies in building relationships while identifying their strengths and weaknesses. Within a context of trust, the discovery of areas of emotional baggage and dysfunctional practices can be addressed.

The church leaders and mentors will create opportunities to learn cultural sensitivity for service both inside and outside the church in leading ministry ventures. The development of habits that are part of spiritual formation to solidify the future missionary's understanding of her or his identity in Christ will also be included.

Imagine the joy of missions agencies that receive these kind of missionary candidates!

How does your church develop, empower and release healthy missionary candidates? What kind of assistance does your church need in doing this? Post your best practices, comments or questions for Greg and others here.