I read once that it is often more difficult to retrain missionaries towards a business model of engagement than career Christians to execute a missions strategy. Martin Short might ask, “Why is that Captain Ron?” Though the loyal Cap’n responded, “Well, nobody knows!”, this question has a pretty simple answer.
Today’s missionaries by and large are not equipped for globalized engagement through an actual career.
Before you disagree, think about it. We train missionaries to be “professional ministers.” As one of them, I can attest to my ever-growing tool belt. Chock full of evangelistic tactics, discipleship tools, and engagement plans. But at the end of the day, not once has anyone helped me develop a career outside of this.
Sure, we have spiritual gift inventories, which are of some use. But when was the last time we saw missionary training include things like career assessment tools, skill evaluation, or personal development goal setting? At least in my organization, the overwhelming trend for up-and-coming missionaries is to head to bible college, seminary, missionary training, and then the field. I can’t tell you how many of my colleagues have a degree in something like nursing or engineering. Yet it’s labeled “useless” in the field. Even those that do have actual work experience have no clue how to use it in the field. We have no framework how to integrate work and ministry because we are brainwashed with the idea that our ministry is our only work.
But it shouldn’t be this way. God created us to work. As part of the body, we have gifts and talents that prepare us for a specialized leaning towards a specific career. Even if that career changes numerous times. I myself have been an administrator, teacher/trainer, legal assistant, housewife, homeschool mom, book keeper, and hopeful writer. But none of these jobs have ever really counted in the field to anyone but myself.
I fully believe that in order for us to continue making progress toward the Great Commission, it is going to take all of us. Unless we figure out ways to begin retraining our current missionary force, those career Christians heading overseas to link arms will be sorely disappointed at what they find.
Remaking The Mold 