Finding People Who Will Last; Helping Those Who Don’t

by Jim Reapsome

Mission agencies have long been concerned about why some of their people don’t last on the field. They have done many studies, uncovered many reasons, and prescribed many cures.

Finding people who will last; helping those who don’t

Mission agencies have long been concerned about why some of their people don’t last on the field. They have done many studies, uncovered many reasons, and prescribed many cures.

Everyone agrees that if only one missionary leaves his post, that’s one too many. Who really knows how much has been lost for the cause of missions?

Think of lost opportunities, vacant positions, classes without teachers, dispensaries unattended. Think of already overworked missionaries, trying to fill the gaps.

And what about those who return home? The emotional toll, questioning friends, miffed supporters, guilt, sinking self-esteem, and even despair.

Our concern should go beyond keeping missionaries on the field. If they are lost to missions in the traditional sense, they may still find useful careers later on. We don’t really know how many ex-missionaries-the preventable losses, shall we say-have successfully found new careers. Every mission agency knows of some who seem not to be able to find effective places of ministry. The trauma of being a dropout was too much to handle.

Psychological evaluations are now being used to screen potential missionaries. Such screening should, over the years, help to reduce the number of those who for one reason or another don’t last on the field. However, when they do come home, they should be given the same psychological care. Sending agencies cannot in good conscience permit their dropouts to flounder in a sea of guilt and self-doubt.

But how can we prevent dropouts in the first place? One way is to send only the very best missionary candidates we can find. Mission agencies sometimes succumb to a number of pressures. The field leaders point to vast opportunities and too few people to do the work. The home side pleads, "We’ve got to send out more missionaries than we did last year, or our public image will suffer and income will go down." Applicants come and say, "We’ve volunteered in response to God’s call, so you must send us when we raise our support."

Those who serve on personnel committees and interview candidates know how hard it is to turn someone away. Candidates seem to have faith and vision, but are they really qualified and gifted? The hardest job of all is to assess someone else’s gift and calling.

Our judgment is that, in general, mission agencies have not been tough enough in turning away volunteers, and local churches have not been tough enough in discouraging would-be candidates.

Young people with spiritual gifts will bring an outstanding record of deeds done. They will not only have academic qualifications, but their church elders will recognize the unmistakable imprint of genuine spiritual gifts. Until the church makes that recognition, no one should be considered for a missionary vocation.

We do need the enthusiasm and aggressiveness of youthful zeal. We also need to be sure that such zeal to serve Christ overseas is matched by maturity and demonstrated giftedness.

Paul reminded Timothy of the time when his church elders did this for him. Timothy’s commitment to the missionary task was matched by the church’s laying on of hands and seeking the grace of God to equip him for the task to which God had called him.

Admittedly, in today’s rather casual attitude toward church elders, and the independent spirit and tactics of some mission agencies, it may be difficult to mesh these principles practically. But if we fail to do so, we are risking more missionary casualties in the future-people full of enthusiasm, but lacking the gifts and experience to stay on the field when the going gets tough.

We must not let up on seeking only the best people for missions. We must also continue to search for ways to keep the thousands of good people we have. Thank God for every one of them. But we do the cause of Christ no favors, either by sending out unqualified people, or by keeping them.

Copyright © 1986 Evangelism and Missions Information Service (EMIS). All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or copied in any form without written permission from EMIS.

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