What Gives?

[DiscipleOfIAm]

I, and my wife, have been trying to find an opprotunity to be full-time missionaries or ministers. We are willing to go wherever God calls us to go. The problem is, we cannot seem to find an opportunity. Every place we look, the organization requires a bachelor's degree and so many years of experience ministering to people. We have neither. All we have is the desire and will to follow God where He is leading us.

Whatever happened to the days when just being a Christian and being willing was enough? Why did it get so corporate?

Anybody? What gives? Any suggestions?

 

[coreXian]

I'm not sure what circle you're from, but with the groups I associate with, there isn't an education requirement. It helps but isn't required. Organizations may not be the right answer. First century churches often supported their missionaries.

My wife and I are going overseas in a few years with two couples who are going to be "full-time" ministers (which, while I understand the implications, I feel is a misunderstanding of ministry). My wife and I plan to be vocational missionaries (self-supported like Paul in several of his journeys as a tent-maker). Any involvement in ministery is full-time if you're living your life right; shouldn't matter how you earn your living (unless it's sinful).

Work hard in the church you're in now. When they see how devoted you are to promoting Christ and His Kingdom, they won't think twice to support you guys. But remember, there's nothing wrong with supporting your own ministry. And missions aren't restricted to 3rd world nations; even America and Europe is being reached by "foreigners."

Hope this helps. If I sound frustrated, it's because I feel missionaries have many stereotypes to break in this country and time period. Support and relationships with sending congregations need to be reinterpreted from Scripture badly.

 

[DiscipleOfIAm]

I'm not sure what circle you're from, but with the groups I associate with, there isn't an education requirement. It helps but isn't required. Organizations may not be the right answer. First century churches often supported their missionaries.

My wife and I are going overseas in a few years with two couples who are going to be "full-time" ministers (which, while I understand the implications, I feel is a misunderstanding of ministry). My wife and I plan to be vocational missionaries (self-supported like Paul in several of his journeys as a tent-maker). Any involvement in ministery is full-time if you're living your life right; shouldn't matter how you earn your living (unless it's sinful).

Work hard in the church you're in now. When they see how devoted you are to promoting Christ and His Kingdom, they won't think twice to support you guys. But remember, there's nothing wrong with supporting your own ministry. And missions aren't restricted to 3rd world nations; even America and Europe is being reached by "foreigners."

Hope this helps. If I sound frustrated, it's because I feel missionaries have many stereotypes to break in this country and time period. Support and relationships with sending congregations need to be reinterpreted from Scripture badly.

That's another issue. We aren't really in any circle. We have recently relocated to where we are now across country and have not found a "home" church yet. Kind of hard to get involved when we haven't found a church yet.

Also, there are a lot of "missions" right here in USA. That's kind of where I was getting the run around. Campus Crusade has a lot of opportunities, but 99% require some sort of degree and a lot of previous experience.

My actual "career/life" goal is unclear. All I know is God is telling me to serve, whether that be as a pastor, youth pastor, or in missions, I'm not sure. I'm kind of lost right now. Not sure what to do or where to go from here. A difinitive calling from God, but no home church to serve in, no missions opportunities found, hmmm!

 

[coreXian]

Oh, well in that case, find you a church to work with. Or start a new body if the area is in need. The best support typically comes from there. It's good you're willing to do something, though. So many aren't . . .

 

[clonenomore]

My best advice is to pray, pray, and pray. I am glad that you are so on fire for ministry. However, remember God is the master planner, and has laid it all out in His plan. If you try to open a door, and it won't open -- well, maybe that's God's way of saying that you are not to go through that door. What I am trying to say is that so far you haven't hit the mission/ministry that God has planned for you. When you find it, the door will open. I know from experience.

Continue to seek His guidance. Get involved in a church. Talk to local pastors. But above all, talk to God. He will tell you what to do.

 

[ccunning001]

I'll agree with everyone here. You need to get involved with a church. Remember, your commitment is solid and sure, but no one knows that. They can only see what you show them from the way you act. Without a church supporting you in prayer, fiances (if needed), and general support then missions might be difficult. Remember there are no lone ranger Christians. We are all apart of the body of Christ and need to be apart of a local group of Christians who are like minded and supportive.

My prayers are with you. Missions is the most exciting and frustrating field. May the Lord bless you in your pursuit.

 

[Highland Watchman]

I, and my wife, have been trying to find an opprotunity to be full-time missionaries or ministers. We are willing to go wherever God calls us to go. The problem is, we cannot seem to find an opportunity. Every place we look, the organization requires a bachelor's degree and so many years of experience ministering to people. We have neither. All we have is the desire and will to follow God where He is leading us.

Whatever happened to the days when just being a Christian and being willing was enough? Why did it get so corporate?

Anybody? What gives? Any suggestions?

I hear you there. I just got my Bachelors, but I have very limited experience, and I am currently between ministries. I do like what has been said so far, so I won't add anything to it, except the hand of fellowship from a brother in the same boat, more or less...

 

[desi]

God will lead you to where he wants you to go, even if its not where you'd like to be.

 

[goldentoejam]

That's another issue. We aren't really in any circle. We have recently relocated to where we are now across country and have not found a "home" church yet. Kind of hard to get involved when we haven't found a church yet.

Also, there are a lot of "missions" right here in USA. That's kind of where I was getting the run around. Campus Crusade has a lot of opportunities, but 99% require some sort of degree and a lot of previous experience.

My actual "career/life" goal is unclear. All I know is God is telling me to serve, whether that be as a pastor, youth pastor, or in missions, I'm not sure. I'm kind of lost right now. Not sure what to do or where to go from here. A difinitive calling from God, but no home church to serve in, no missions opportunities found, hmmm!

In accepting my call to the ministry, this following verse proved instrumental and I think that clonenomore would concurr. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication make your requests known unto God. And the peace that surpasseth all understanding will guard your hearts and mind through Christ Jesus. You will certainly be blessed for your zeal and fervent pursuit of seeing the Lord's kingdom grow. Just be patient and know that He is God! Brother, I will be praying for you and your future ministry. God Bless
Your Brother in Christ,
Jason

 

[kbanv]

You should pray about starting a home church, or maybe a youth group.

 

[desi]

I, and my wife, have been trying to find an opprotunity to be full-time missionaries or ministers. We are willing to go wherever God calls us to go. The problem is, we cannot seem to find an opportunity. Every place we look, the organization requires a bachelor's degree and so many years of experience ministering to people. We have neither. All we have is the desire and will to follow God where He is leading us.

Whatever happened to the days when just being a Christian and being willing was enough? Why did it get so corporate?

Anybody? What gives? Any suggestions?

You may as well ask why you can't write prescriptions like a medical dr. You lack the credentials to be a full time preacher. Earn the cedentials and you earn the respect of those you need to get the job, hopefully as well as the know how to do the job.

 

[kbanv]

You may as well ask why you can't write prescriptions like a medical dr. You lack the credentials to be a full time preacher. Earn the cedentials and you earn the respect of those you need to get the job, hopefully as well as the know how to do the job.

The credentials come from God when one is ordained by God! Have been a member a church whos pastor had non of mans credentials. Just because one has mans credentials does not mean he knows Gods message! In fact it is possible he may not even be saved!

 

[ZiSunka]

The church I go to sends out missionaries, independent of any board, and doesn't require a specific education. I would join such a church and patiently submit myself to its discipleship and service and let people know that you eventually want to be called to the field and see what the Lord has planned for you.

I think that part of the hold up for you might be that you have decided to go into missions, but you are not waiting for God to call you and you feel frustrated and impatient because he hasn't opened up the right doors on your schedule.

I think it would be great for you to submit yourself here for people's prayers and to do some of those online gifts assessments and join a church that has missionaries in the field and make visits to those missions and see if God calls you to one of them.

Please open a thread where we can disciple you.

 

[coreXian]

You may as well ask why you can't write prescriptions like a medical dr. You lack the credentials to be a full time preacher. Earn the cedentials and you earn the respect of those you need to get the job, hopefully as well as the know how to do the job.

Credentials? I'm not sure where in Scripture we're required to have credentials before furthering the Kingdom of God.

This kind of thinking is the reason more "lay-people" aren't doing what they are supposed to as Christians. There is no "clergy" or "lay-person" distinction in the early NT church. There shouldn't be now. All Christians are called by God to share the good news. That makes us all "clergy" with all of the credentials we need (God's command is sufficient).

 

[ZiSunka]

Missions are expensive, though, and no mission board or church is going to send out someone who has no training or experience, not only because of the cost, but because of the potential for disaster. You need to be prepared. St Paul, the greatest missionary, was trained for three years and was sent by a local church before he ever set foot on the mission field. Why would you be too good for training if even someone as great as Paul was willing to take training and humble himself in front of a church and ask to be commissioned?

I wonder if you might have a sense of entitlement and that is something that God wants to deal with before you can go?

 

[coreXian]

Missions are expensive, though, and no mission board or church is going to send out someone who has no training or experience, not only because of the cost, but because of the potential for disaster. You need to be prepared. St Paul, the greatest missionary, was trained for three years and was sent by a local church before he ever set foot on the mission field. Why would you be too good for training if even someone as great as Paul was willing to take training and humble himself in front of a church and ask to be commissioned?

I wonder if you might have a sense of entitlement and that is something that God wants to deal with before you can go?

Well, personally, I have a double-major from college, Computer Science and Ministry. And I will be getting a church to support me in my mission work. However, I think Paul is unique. He was by far the most educated of the apostles from the get go. What about the others? They were fishermen! The only training they received was from God's Word, and that's really all anyone needs.

Paul made it a point to be commissioned by the church spiritually and OCCASIONALY, financially. But we read that he also was a tent-maker and used that to financially support himself so that the new churches would not be burdened and the message would be better received. This is the example I aim to follow, thus the double-major. I know it's different than the way most people do it, but there are also benefits. I'm hoping it will allow us to stay where we're working longer, even when a church wouldn't be able to support our financial needs.

 

[ZiSunka]

I know it's different than the way most people do it, but there are also benefits. I'm hoping it will allow us to stay where we're working longer, even when a church wouldn't be able to support our financial needs.

It's not at all different from how most do it. All the missionaries I know either support themselves through "tent-making" (I did for several years until a few months ago), or perform some service to their adopted community and receive compensation for it. I know only one or two that are support completely through a mission agency.

My point about being commissioned wasn't meant to make you defensive, it was to get you to see that no missionary, not even Paul, is an island. Every mission field is fraught with pitfalls and failures unless you are bathed in prayer from other Believers. Trust me, without that prayer support and encouragement from Believers, it can't be done, you will fail. It is only by the power of God and prayers that you will be able to make any effect in your adopted community at all. You would be amazed at how many missionaries and ministers fail when they don't receive this kind of support.

As for being able to stay longer by working to support yourselves, you are not realizing that immigration rules don't allow Americans to just go into a country and start working. You will need a work visa sponsored by a company in that country, and you will have to work long hours to maintain that visa and if you lose your job, get sick or quit working to devote more time to your real mission, your visa will be voided and you will have to leave the country.

You are much better off getting sent by a church or mission group because they will already know the mechanisms and workings of setting up a mission in that country.

 

[Canadianmade]

As a pastor, i can understand the dilema. We are called to serve and yet we are held back because we do not meet the right criteria. It is easy to feel be-littled spiritually.

Then the mission organization has been burned so many times with unqualified people not being able to cut it or have taught in areas that have hurt the gospel of Chirst that they are forced to raise the bar to eliminate people falling through the cracks.

What is a person to do? Here is my advice.(It is a personal opinion so use what is needed)
1. Seek the Lord as to where you need to serve and with what organization and do not let anything stop you from the LOrd's calling. If you have to get a degree- do it! If you have to raise support - do it! If you have to stand on your head and juggle - learn how! If God is calling you, do not let a piece of paper of the need to wait 5 years for support stop you.
2. God has called us to be "blameless" as leaders (Titus). This does not mean perfect (impossible), it means that people will see you with out reservation that you are a follower of Jesus Christ and your life exaults Him. That is biblical credentialing for missionaries. Make sure you are meeting HIs standards.

Lord bless as you seek His face

 

[ZiSunka]

You can also look at it this way. If you don't have any of the qualifications, can't get commissioned by any church or mission agency and can't raise the support, it may be that you feel like you should be in missions but aren't really called to it right now. It's true that we shouldn't allow outside stumbling blocks prevent us from our calling, but it is also true that the Lord sometimes sets up circumstances to prevent the Believers from stepping outside his best will. It may very well be that he has called you, but he needs you to wait until the mission field and you are ready for each other. In the meantime, just go ahead and start working on the qualifications and support.

 

[wheel]

God is the one who has placed the disire to serve him in your hearts there is awesome power in speaking the word out lourd something will happen when you do it works. God bless you both.