What does it take to be a missionary? (Part 2)

I guess it’s pretty presumptuous [some may say] to even write this as if I were any sort of authority. After all, I’m a sinner. Right? If you know me you will have to agree.

Frankly, you’re right. My only qualification I guess in all of this that I have a 14 year collection of 1040 forms from MAF. But that is precisely what I want to talk about in this installment.

The second thing you have to do is come to the realization that missionary work is not something you “go and do”. It should be your spiritual personality, your life by example, albeit imperfect. It is a logical and ongoing next step if you’re living the illogical life of a saint; putting one foot in front of another in the valley that is day to day. Occasionally you are on the mountaintop with God, sure, but that isn’t often. Mountaintops are, after all, small pieces of spiritual real estate.

James 2 talks about it this way. The believer [as seen by an unbeliever] says : “So sorry to hear about your problem, I’ll pray for you that you will be warmed and fed”. The unbeliever then says: “You talk about ministry; I do good works but all you do is pray“.

Faith and works in a believer should go together like peanut butter and jelly. Talk is cheap. Faith is made complete by what we do (James 2:22)

One of the things we look for in new people applying to MAF is their level of involvement in the local church and outside activity. Not a perfect indicator but does provide some sort of initial barometer.

My wife and I also own a coffee shop in Auburn. From the ranks of our employees we have already had two go out as missionaries, one with Pioneers the other with African Inland Missions. A third student took 6 months off and went to Thailand to teach. Currently we have another young lady who believes God has called her into full time ministry. Of all of our employees, most have been on short term missions trips. What can I say though. We’ve been incredibly blessed with Godly examples of what I am talking about. It’s just the way they are wired, not some someday ideal.

So you need to do some self examination. Does going to the mission field sound exciting? Adventurous? Something “I’ll do for a few years till something else comes along”? Or is it a logical next step in your step of faith? It should be.