01 the making of a missionary

The Making of a Missionary

Dr. Robert PattonMissionary to Suriname,

South America

What is a missionary?

He is called by God to a full-time ministry of the Word and prayer, who has crossed cultural barriers, to preach the gospel in an area where Christ is largely unknown

What is a missionary?

He is an ambassador for Christ He is a herald of TRUTH - Jesus is

Lord He is the bearer of culture –

inevitably he brings his culture with him

What is a missionary?

He is an ambassador of love for the whole man - body, soul and spirit

He is the envoy of peace

Myths about a missionary Crossing salt water makes you a

missionary – or, unless you cross salt water, you are not a “real” missionary

Living is always difficult – a hut in the bush…

The heathen are flocking to get saved

Myths about missions

Missions is over just as colonialism is over

Full time missionaries are no longer needed

We just need specialists – not true; flexibility and adaptability are most useful on the field

Why become a missionary?

God created us to have a passion to love and enjoy Him and to give Him glory

All of life is to be lived for the glory of God

We are to reflect what God is really like

Why become a missionary?

The universe is great to reflect the greatness of God

Love - showing the dying soul the glory of the grace of God

God seeks worshippers from every tongue, nation and race

Jesus and the GREATEST commandment

Mt. 22:[37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.[38] This is the first and great commandment

God rejects lukewarm affection – Laodicea

Rev. 3: [16] So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

God wants us to be passionate for Him

To have an impact, know that ONE THING - like Paul did:

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify of the grace of God

God wants us to be passionate for Him: One thing…

To have an impact, know that ONE THING - like Paul did:

Phil. 3:7-9 But what things were gain to me, those I count loss for Christ. 8. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I might win Christ,

God wants us to be passionate for Him:

To have an impact, know that ONE THING - like Paul did: Phil. 3:9. And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith, 10. That I might know him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of his suffering, being made conformable unto his death.

Paul’s one thing…

[13] Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,[14] I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus

God wants us to be passionate for Him Boast only in the cross of Christ

where every good thing was obtained for sinners:

Gal. 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

God wants us to be passionate for Him

We only boast in the cross when we are on the cross - Gal. 2:19-20 - the old self died and the new self lives by faith of God in Christ Jesus: 19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

His life is treasured most when it is above health, money, and life itself

We boast in the cross when we bear the cross: Lk. 14:27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

His life is treasured most when it is above health, money, and life itself

Christ is all in life or death; Phil. 1:20-21 He will be honored! 20. According to my earnest expectation, and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death. 21. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain

His life is treasured most when it is above health, money, and life itself

Death makes visible where our treasure really is: Mt. 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39. He that findeth his life shall lose it, and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

The Lord promises to provide what we need for a godly life

2 Pet. 1:[3] According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:[4] Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

His life is treasured most when it is above health, money, and life itself

When we trust Jesus, we trust Him to give us what we most need - Himself!

Paul wanted to magnify Christ in life - and that meant to joy in the progress of their faith

Dying to self daily is living for Christ daily

We are perfected through trials and pain

Risk is OK if the cause is big enough

Risk may occur because we are igno-rant, but God never risks because He knows the end from the beginning.

God wants us to stay dependent on Himself

We may cling to a security which, in fact, never exists

Why risk all for Christ? We must not take risks for

heroism, lust for adventure, self-reliance, etc.

We take risks for the sake of Jesus Christ, reflecting His value to us. He is worthy!

Some killed, but not a hair perish…

Luke 16: [16] And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death.[17] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.[18] But there shall not an hair of your head perish

Why risk all for Christ Romans 8:35-39, where nothing

separates us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?[36] As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

Why risk all for Christ Romans 8:[37] Nay, in all these things

we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.[38] For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,[39] Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Why risk all for Christ? We are more than conquerors in all

our afflictions, not avoiding them. You will have all you need to be

eternally happy in Him. God promises us enough to do His

will You are more than conqueror if

you do not allow anyone to separate you from God

We must live to prove that He is worth more than life:

Jesus loves faith-filled risk for the glory of God: Lk. 21:2-3 speaks of the widow’s mite – she gave all her living

Jesus speaks a great deal about money - 15% of the parables

We must use our possessions to make others rejoice in God - especially the most needy

We must live to prove that He is worth more than life:

We must have a warfare mentality - using the gospel, prayer, & self-sacrificing love:

Mt. 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into life eternal

Wasting our life is to lose it while trying to save it

Give to get to give more…

Luke 6:[38] Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

God rewards Mk. 10:[29] And Jesus answered and said,

Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,[30] But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

God often tests with material goods

Example of Hudson Taylor Learned to give and trust God in

his training Later learned to trust God for

1000 missionaries support Example of George Mueller

We are at war – with ourselves

The lines of warfare are being fought in the hearts of individuals - to defeat satan and the sinfulness in our own hearts

We need to be in the world but not of the world

Jn. 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Can we say that?

We are at war – with ourselves

Most will display the glory of God in continuing their secular jobs

Enjoy fellowship with God in your job - I Cor. 7:[24] Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God. .Be thankful in your work .Take God’s promises to you with you at

work

We are at war – with ourselves

We must do so in conscious reliance on God’s power to give excellence and reflect His glory.

Retired people will also want to give God glory. Idleness is bad at any age and does not reflect the glory of God

How we do our work may open or close doors to the gospel

Adorn the gospel with our work

How to give God glory in work

Conform to what God is doing in this age

Remove stumbling blocks to the gospel

Seek to help others with our work - not money, but service

How to give God glory in work

Work with an eye toward usefulness, and not money

Don’t work to have but work to give

Let your work create redemptive relationships

Missions and Mercy

Have pity for the lost and a passion for exalting Christ

Love people - lay down your life to bring them to an eternal relationship with God

Love wants the best for people - which is that they will rejoice in heaven forever with God

Missions & church planting

Foreign missions is a validation of the entire ministry of the sending church

Don’t forget to meet the needs around you at home - so that we can plant churches reaching the lost abroad also

Missions & church planting

There is still a great need to plant churches where there are none - as well as develop national leadership in places where churches are already

Pray for laborers - it will change you

Pray that the Lord will use you in the skills which He has given you

Is there a “missionary call?”

Yes – there is a call to full-time cross-cultural ministry that is different from other ministries.

This is different from saying “every member is a missionary.”

How to prepare for a call Acknowledge the Lordship of

Jesus Christ - in all areas of life We cannot know God’s specific

will until our lives are in conformity to His general will

Understand the will of God - continually consecrate yourself:

Rom. 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by

the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2. And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the re-newing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God

God does promise to guide

Psalm 32:8-9 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go; I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near to thee.

How to prepare for a call

Be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit - who deals with each individual uniquely

Confirmation via the local church. Remember that the church is the ground and pillar of the truth to whom the task of evangelism is given.

How to prepare for a call

There is a difference between call and guidance - which is for specific service

Paul’s call came on the Damascus road. He had guidance in Acts 13, 16, etc.

How to prepare for a call

Have an open mind - be careful with your preconceptions and limitations

An open ear - are we open to the Holy Spirit’s voice?

A pure heart - prepared not only to know the will of God, but to do it.

How to prepare for a call Busy hands - be at work for God Ready feet - to walk by faith. God’s guidance is 100%, but not

after it is filtered by mankind. But walk in faith. Get moving

when you have information. It’s hard to steer a ship tied to the dock

Recruitment issues Missions lose about 5-10% per year

between drop-outs and attrition from sickness and retirement

Many are afraid of total surrender, but God is a good God, and surrender is the way to self-fulfillment

There is usually quite a bit of flexibility in the sort of work you do

Recruitment issues The key to missions is the

missionary 4-10% attrition per year Reasons for difficulty – one survey

.I am not spiritually prepared -35% .I don’t want to go raise support 32% .I am afraid to learn a foreign

language 20% .I don’t want to make a life-time

commitment 13%

Answers to recruitment problems Truth - most missionaries are

no more spiritual than others - they have hang-ups too

Truth - support is not begging - it is an opportunity to grow spirit-ually, challenge churches to mis-sions, give them an opportunity to get involved, and get prayer support

Answers to recruitment problems

Language learning is different from what we had in school

We must be open to do God’s will our entire lives, but be flexible as He directs

If God calls, He will enable us to do His will – like the master has responsibility for his slave

Problems getting on the field

Areas of problems to getting on the field .Marriage to an unsympathetic

spouse A large family .Parental opposition .Debt

Recruitment issues

Separation from children can be a big problem

Single women have some advantages - more free time, no tie to family, but also some disadvan-tages

Obstacles to missionary service Advanced education - the farther

you go, the more likely you are to stay in the USA – teaching, offers of a big church, etc.

Accumulation of debts – plan to stay debt-free

Love and marriage – you need to make some decisions about your call before you start a relationship

Obstacles to missionary service

Parental opposition Health problems – usually

not as big an issue as previously

Lack of direction – this seems to be a major problem today!

Obstacles to missionary service

Lack of Bible training – some may have adequate secular training in some task (like medicine) but be inadequate in Bible knowledge

Lack of practical experience – especially soulwinning. Crossing the sea does not transform you into a soulwinner

Attractive offers at home

Single missionaries face unique challenges

Most are women When working with a couple of the

same age, sometimes nationals assume that the man has two wives

Remember that the nationals will look at the situation from the framework of their own culture.

Qualifications for missionary service

Physical qualifications – you don’t need to be a great athlete, but do what you can to discipline yourself, especially in the area of weight

Academic - most prefer a college graduate, but it is important to keep growing intellectually

Vocational qualifications vary with the type of work

Education is important to helpfill in the gaps…

Bridge the language gap - grammar & linguistics

Bridge the culture gap – cultural anthropology, etc

Bridge the religious gap - know the thought patterns, worldview, and religious beliefs of others

Personality qualifications for missionary service

Emotional stability – character-driven, not emotionally driven

Adaptability – especially in terms of time, work ethic, importance of interpersonal relationships, etc

Sense of humor – sometimes this can be a lifesaver!

Personality qualifications for missionary service

Teamwork – we are in this together Willingness to take orders – we are

servants of Christ, and servants of those to whom we minister. We are not there to play “big boss”

Be prepared to endure hardness - not expect all the American luxuries

Personality qualifications for missionary service Be prepared to wait – the

time frame of the third world is different - event oriented rather than time-oriented

No superiority complex – especially concerning Western cultural values

No racial prejudice

Spiritual qualifications

Genuine conversion – this goes without saying

Knowledge of the scriptures – this must be practical as well as theoretical

Assurance of divine guidance – it is vital to know that you are in the will of the Lord when the trials come – and they will come!

Spiritual qualifications Self discipline – body, soul, spirit Strong devotional life – you must be

able to feed yourself, and not coast on the spirituality of the school, chapel, etc

A heart of love – true agape love for your people

Some success in Christian service before going to the field

God dealing with the missionary:

God chooses a man: Jn. 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit… God called Moses & Jeremiah Jesus called the disciples Paul was an apostle by the will of God

God calls the man; he is not just a volunteer

God dealing with the missionary:

God chooses his ministry & the gifts of the Holy Spirit which he receives

God chooses the sphere or location of the ministry

God determines the length of the ministry

God determines the “success” of the ministry - is it good in His sight?

God orders world events The times and seasons are

under His control God opens and closes doors -

Rev. 3:7; Romans 11:33-36 God commands evangelism

whether in good times or bad Open doors are our

responsibility; closed doors are His to open

God’s work and Man’s Work

God is prodigal dispensing His grace; but frugal using His power.

If man can do the job, God expects him to do so .Jesus provided redemption; we must

preach it .The disciples showed this dramatic

change when Jesus left the earth .God uses human agents for salvation

God’s work and man’s work

Lazarus The men moved the stone The men removed the graveclothes so that he

could walk But Jesus raised him from the dead

Feeding 5000 The boy gave the lunch The disciples distributed it But Jesus multiplied it

God’s work and Man’s Work

When the church ceases to be a missionary church, it denies its faith and betrays its trust

God works through the church We have been given the ministry

of reconciliation

Why missionaries leave the field

Personal problems Lack of spirituality Lack of commitment Problems with drugs, alcohol Immorality Sickness

Family problems Problems with his wife

Does she agree with the call? I believe that if the man is called, the wife is called too

The wife often has many more adjustment problems. The man may have his work set, but the wife must function as a wife without all the help she is used to having

Family problems Adjustments of the children

Schooling is a major hurdle. Some sent their children away to

boarding school – most adapt well, but not all

Some home school – this is a big load on the wife, but many helps are currently available which were not in years past

Some send the children to the local school

Family problems Children adapting to a new culture –

especially a problem with the teenage years

On the other hand, many teenagers are far more mature and have a broader vantage point than their peers by traveling and living in another culture, speaking another language, etc

Care of elderly parents

Problems with other missionaries

Personality clashes – remember, you often don’t choose your fellow workers

Differences in standards, theology, and approach to ministry

Difficult situations – especially in the bush with a single woman missionary and a couple. Many nationals assume the man has two wives

Health and cultural issues

Health issues are less common than formerly with advances in health, but still present

Culture shock Inability to adjust to and

appreciate the new culture and people

Problems with nationals The day of the “white bwana” is

basically gone with colonialization There is much resentment of the

missionary coming to play “big boss”

We must be able to work together – the goal of the missionary must be national churches which are independent

What can we do to prevent burnout or fall-out

Do not underestimate the need of a strong spiritual life.

Many students cruise on the spirituality of their school – chapels, prayer times, study-ing the Bible, etc. – but do not know how to feed themselves from the Bible, and do not have a vital prayer life.

We must walk in the Spirit! The Holy Spirit does not experience burnout.

Practical experience before going overseas

Particularly evangelism – crossing salt water does not make you an evangelist

Practical experience working in a church is a big help, and allows you to find and develop your spiritual gifts

Be as certain as you can over your call

When you know that God has called you to a particular field/work, that knowledge keeps you going when the tests come – and they will come.

Again, have a close relationship with the Lord and go to Him in prayer

Learn about your country

As much as you can learn from your country before arrival can help with your understanding, and reduce culture shock

The same is true of language if it is possible to learn ahead of time

Work hard on language learning

Some languages are difficult. Resist the temptation to work

permanently through an interpreter, or you will be permanently limited in your effectiveness

Take enough time to learn the basics of the language, and keep learning throughout your lifetime

Set reasonable goals

We often set unrealistic goals for ourselves

We may try to please our supporters more than the Lord.

Develop a support team First – your family must be together Secondly, have a strong support

team of prayer warriors in the USA. This is a big benefit of faith promise system

Take time on deputation to develop not only adequate financial support, but prayer support.

E-mail is great!

Deputation advice

Do not be afraid of deputation. You are not “begging” but seeking partners to work together to reach the world for Christ.

You need the support of the churches, but they cannot do the work of worldwide evangelization without you

Deputation advice

Quality! Your presentation Your preaching if you preach Your prayer card

Be faithful in contacts Make every effort to get into

churches! I always try to schedule

heavily – usually a minimum of 3 speaking engagements per week.

If possible, I made the farther place Sunday morning and nearer Sunday night

Deputation – remember Your support on the mission field

is important. Take the necessary time to get adequate support

Ask God for a time to depart, and tell everyone when you know

Be constantly scheduling; ask pastors where you have good meetings to help

Pray

Pray for your meetings Pray for the churches Pray for your support Pray to be a blessing Pray to be able to

communicate your burden for the ministry

Furlough meetings It is easier to get into your supporting

churches, as you are not seeking support. However, it is important to let them see you and know what is going on.

I like to start scheduling nearly one year in advance. Larger churches work on that sort of schedule.

Prepare to show how the work is progressing.