That’s right. You read the title correctly. I’m not a missionary. Why don’t I consider myself a missionary? Well, I’m glad you asked! Let me try to explain before my donors start pulling their funds. *Nervous sweating emoji*
Since sin entered the world, God has had a Mission (Missio Dei: Latin for, ‘Mission of God’) to redeem all creation to himself. Sin is rebellion against God and as soon as it entered the world, all creation started rebelling. Now rebellion is the opposite of worship and as John Piper says, “Mission exists because worship doesn’t.” Simply put: the goal of Mission is worship. And God, in His infinite mercy, has allowed us to join Him in Missio Dei. ‘The Great Commission’ is God’s promise that He will partner with us to bring about redemption of all things to himself. Let’s say Missio Dei is: Universal Redemption for the purpose of Universal Worship.
So, Missio Dei is the overarching Mission that all Great Commission acts fall under. However, there are different categories of actions within this Mission. Let’s call this distinction, Mission vs. missions. And to understand this distinction I think we need to go deeper into Matthew 28:19-20 which reads, “As you are going, therefore, disciple all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.”
There are four verbs in this passage: Going, Disciple, Baptizing, and Teaching. Unfortunately, in the English, you can’t pick out the distinction between these verbs. However, in the Greek, one stands out from the rest; one imperative (what to do) and three participles (how to do it). Although most would think the imperative is “Go,” it’s actually “Disciple.” The Great Commission is all about discipling and we do that by baptizing and teaching as we are going through life. We don’t have to go somewhere else to disciple. We should be discipling as we are going through life where God has us now. This verse isn’t saying all Christians are missionaries. It’s saying all Christians are ‘On Mission.’
If words are defined by their use, then the variety and breadth with which ‘missionary’ is used makes this statement true: If everything is missions, then nothing is missions. If every Christian is a missionary, then no one is a missionary.
Missionary is an occupation; much like a pastor. The Great Commission commands us to teach. But that doesn’t mean all Christians should be pastors. In fact, most people would say they don’t feel qualified or equipped with the right passions, abilities, skills and talents needed to be a pastor. I also know some people who would make terrible pastors if all Christians were supposed to be. And that’s not a bad thing, we want believers to use their strengths to benefit the body instead of forcing them to take an occupation that makes them miserable. Besides, they would probably do more damage than good because they haven’t been gifted with the things needed to be a pastor. If we use this methodology on other occupations, should we not used it on missionaries as well? We blur the lines of what a missionary is when we say all Christians fit into that category.
One of my professors at Cedarville was a missionary in Nepal for a long time. He told me he stopped letting short termers come because of the damage he was left cleaning up after they left. For example, some of the women on a short term trip wore skirts that came above their knees. For months he worked with the indigenous believers through the question, ‘How could a woman who loves and follows Christ wear something like that?’ I believe there are many factors that played into the situation. But one of them is that the short termers believed they were equipped and expected to be missionaries.
Once my professor had told us this story, he gave us an assignment: Write a job description for a missionary. We were to write it as if we were a missions agency trying to attract a long term missionary who would thrive in that environment. What I find was contrary to what I had been taught. These are some of the reasons I found that could disqualify some from being a missionary:
Missionaries cross cultural barriers
Paul was considered a missionary and Peter wasn’t. Paul crossed cultural barriers and went, as a Jew, to the gentiles. Whereas, Peter’s ministry was to the Jews.
Missionary is an occupation
Paul devoted his occupational work to being a missionary. Although he was a tentmaker by trade, he only used that to aid his missionary work.
Discipling those that disciple is their goal
This is a task that could take multiple years. Jesus spent 3 ½ years with his disciples before he left them. And Paul stayed upwards of 3 years discipling and training one church. This is something that short termers will have a difficult time doing.
Patience is a virtue that must be abundantly present in the missionary’s life
Every believer should have patience as a representation of the fruit of the Spirit in their life. But some personality types are more naturally patient than others. I knew a missionary that was in one country for 13 years and only saw a few people commit their lives to Christ. That would take a special kind of patience!
These are just a few of the distinctions I found between being on Mission and being a missionary. But don’t get me wrong, I’m in no way belittling the value or effectiveness of short term trips. If done the correct way, they can be extremely helpful to the missionary and in spreading the Good News! I’m going into this trip expecting God to do some BIG things in me, my squad, and the indigenous people we interact with! However, I can also see the harm in claiming to be a missionary when I’m only staying in the country for a month, I don’t know the culture that well, and I don’t even speak the indigenous language. In saying, “I’m not a missionary,” I’m submitting to the local missionary’s ministry and their authority-as one who knows how to most effectively reach those in need. And I believe that will bring about the best possible outcome.
On Mission,
Rob Ames
