monthly focus ~ misconceptions about missions

Common Misconceptions about Missions

What do we know about Missions?

Most members of strong Bible-teaching churches have a general knowledge of what Scripture says about missions.  Much of what is believed is no doubt accurate.  However, some things may be based upon interpretations and assumptions which lead to common misconceptions.  Although there are several, here are three very common misconceptions.

Misconception 1

Matthew 16:18 states that it is Jesus Christ who builds His Church.   This is truth, yet the misconception is that we have an essential role in this process and that without us the church will not happen.  We may assume that if we do not go or give, God’s plan will fail and some souls will be forever lost due to our inaction.  Matthew 16:18 must be taken as it is stated.  It is God’s work.  His plan will come to completion.  Jesus Christ builds His Church.  It does not rest upon us. In no way does this imply inactivity for Christians.  That we may be involved in the process is an act of Divine grace for which we should be immensely grateful.  If we do not go, or give, or become involved according to His leading for our lives, we are the ones who are diminished and who lose the blessings, yet the goal is nonetheless fully achieved. 

Misconception 2

There is never enough money to do what needs to be done in world evangelism.  Although we may believe this to be true because of experiences, this also is a misconception.  It is God who is responsible for the salvation of the lost.  Out of His infinite riches He does meet His needs in evangelistic outreach. Because God’s thoughts and ways are not our thoughts and ways,  He sometimes allows a lack of finances to shape our individual plans and programs.  Often seeming to not have enough money is better.  When we understand that our dependence is on God who is in full control of reaching the lost, we stop depending on the “poorer part” of the Body and start depending on the “richer part.” 

Misconception 3

The goal of world evangelism is to bring the lost to Christ, and then through the ministry of the Holy Spirit and the Scriptures to bring them to spiritual maturity.  The misconception here is how do we answer the question of what spiritual maturity and local churches should look like.  North American missionaries often carry western ideas to other lands and seek to develop churches just like ours, but filled with believers that look and think very differently from the western missionary.  The missionary’s  responsibility is not to make them like us, nor to develop churches like ours.  They are to be like Christ, as we are, and  their churches are to be indigenous, truly of and from the soil in which they exist.  We trust the Holy Spirit to do this within our own western culture. We must also be able to trust Him to do so within other cultures as well even when it may be uncomfortable for the westernized Christian worker.           

From time to time, we will look at other misconceptions about missions. While it is true that God does not need us to accomplish His purpose on earth it is also true that He will use us in the process.  He will provide what and when He deems necessary to accomplish His purposes, and He will give wisdom and understanding to those who seek to disciple His worldwide family.  We can experience our greatest joy and fulfillment as we yield to Him, yearning to partner with Him in the greatest work of all--the salvation of the lost. 

Dr. David Haag

EBM Director of Tri-M