On Duty or AWOL?

(DISCLAIMER: This is a subject I am passionate about. While it may read like a rant, it is meant as a motivator. Sarcasm alert—look out!)

The global mission of the church is the most exciting endeavor in which a believer or a congregation can possibly engage. The more we are actively involved in missions, the more our lives reflect the life and heart of Jesus. The less involved, the more self-centered and empty our spiritual lives become. This is truly something to live for, and something to die for.

If what I wrote is true, then why are most evangelical churches, if not most Christians, disconnected from this mission, or only remotely interested? There are many answers, but only two that don’t reflect badly on us.

Perhaps we do not get involved because we believe that mission activity is the responsibility of a select few. God deploys the spiritual equivalent of the Marines, the Army Rangers, or Navy SEALs—a special volunteer force that storms, on behalf of the cause of Christ, the unreached corners of the world. Meanwhile, back home, the civilian Christian population works hard to make better Christian music, create a new Christian diet program, or find new ways to cope with our preschoolers, our dating teenagers, our adult children moving home again, our midlife crisis, or to make our wardrobe reflect the color palette of our spiritual temperament. The spiritual military does its part while, thankfully, we carry on with normal life.

We show little concern because it seems, well, boring. We hear talk about missions at church and see a picture labeled Missionary of the Week but we don’t know those people, don’t know what they do, and sometimes when they do visit the church and present their work, we have no idea what they are talking about. Besides, we only hear about them once in a blue moon, so how are we supposed to connect with them?

We may think we are very connected, but only on our terms. We go on missions trips so we can see new places, do new things. We want to appreciate what “real” missionaries face, so we ask others to help pay for it. For some it’s a chance to stand up for Jesus, but in a place where nobody knows us, making it easy to come back home to our “silent saint” routine. No life change results: no change in priorities, witness, spending, or prayer. We do not intend to figure out how or if God wants us to live away from home, but it sure makes us appreciate home even more. Sure, we have friends who are missionaries; we really love them and want to make sure they are taken care of because they deserve it. Yet, while we appreciate them, we do not share their God-directed calling; we just want them to know we care.

Perhaps missions isn’t our interest because we’re skeptical. It doesn’t seem to yield the results we expect from our investments. People labor for years, but little, if anything seems to happen. Missionaries write about slow progress, and we wonder why they spend their lives doing something that doesn’t seem to be working. Perhaps they are lazy.

For some, the cost of missions just seems too high. After all, our children might contract some disease or even die. We won’t share in normal family times. Our kids will rarely see their grandparents. They will face educational and cultural challenges. The food may be disgusting. Shouldn’t missions begin at home?

Before giving two legitimate reasons why a believer is disconnected from our global mission, let me remind us of some basic Bible facts.

1. The Bible tells us that all believers are engaged in a spiritual warfare, yet called to glorify God and manifest godliness through the spread of the Gospel. All Christians battle spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places, and thus must take up the armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-18). If you think you aren’t in the battle, then you are already a casualty.

2. The Great Commission texts lay the responsibility for reaching all nations upon all believers, not just a select few. Christ spoke the words recorded in Matthew 28:19-20, not to the eleven disciples, but to a large group of followers. His charge in Acts 1:8 was shared with the eleven, but the directive was put into motion when hundreds of believers were scattered while the apostles stayed in Jerusalem (Acts 8:1). Local churches sent out missionaries from among their own number (Barnabas and Saul from Antioch, Epaphroditus from Philippi, Epaphras from Colossae, Timothy from Derbe).

3. Jesus said believers can know “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20) when they make disciples of all the nations. The presence of Jesus, the experience of the filling of the Spirit, and demonstrations of spiritual power are all most visible in the Scriptures where believers are proclaiming the gospel (Acts 2:4, 14, 4:31, 7:56, 9:17-20, 13:52, 18:9; 1 Cor. 2:4).

4. Self-proclaimed servants of Jesus who fail to do their Master’s will call into question their relationship to Him (Matt. 25:26-30; Luke 12:45-47). Jesus himself asks at the judgment why some would call him “Lord” and not do what he says.

The first legitimate reason we disconnect from missions? Ignorance. We just do not know that much about it. The second? Accepted disqualification. Our “ordinary” giftedness just does not seem to fit global Christianity.

To such people I say, “Take a look and see what God is doing…”

Want to see the power of the Gospel manifested through Spirit-filled preaching, even miraculous occurrences, and evangelistic dreams given to unbelievers? Care to witness new Christians possessing abilities similar to the miraculous gifts of the New Testament, and those who show a readiness to die for the faith? Look no further than the Muslim areas of the 10-40 window, China, India, and animistic cultures around the world. Visible harvests are occurring in many places that will shake the complacency out of us. Iraqi brothers speak of seeing Christianity sweep their nation. Indian believers are recording faster growth in their churches than at any time in history. China? Well, imagine 100 million believers—Chinese believers taking the Gospel wherever they can. Now, all of this is accompanied by hard work, persecution, and spiritual opposition, making the battle even more real.

To those who wonder if God has a place for non-preachers, look no further than Paul’s missionary companions. Many never preached, but, nevertheless, helped in the venture. More than that, a quick survey of current missionary tactics shows people of various “careers” using their training as an entrance into hard to reach places. Agronomists, hydrologists, community health workers, literacy workers, theologians willing to teach in foreign seminaries, English teachers, relief workers, and economic development experts (heard of micro-loans to the poor?) are just some who now take their place alongside the traditional missionary church planters. Some go where “church planters” are prohibited.

If you question its value, remember—this is a task where the results are measured by eternity. The “well done” passages speak to this, as does the promise of the crowns of rejoicing and life. We are called to be faithful witnesses, and to resist sin and persecution to the point of shedding our blood (Heb. 12:4; Rev. 2:10). The history of the church is filled with those who did so and did not count it too much. The fact that we don’t think it could come to that says more about us than we should like.

If you wonder if you are “called,” you are. The question is not one of calling to serve this cause, but simply one of deployment—where in the effort do you belong? Are you willing to use your gifts wherever God wants you? Talk with your spiritual leaders and consider together your fit in the global mission of the church.

For those who think the only role to fill is that of a front-line missionary, know that every army has its front lines and its support troops. God will place you where you most fit. Kathy and I thought we would be overseas. Instead, God kept us in pastoral work, and has allowed us to work with about a dozen others who came through our ministries and took up frontline roles. We partner with national missionaries overseas who often reach areas we cannot touch, for a fraction of what it costs to send a Western missionary. We occasionally go and help those on the front lines, and continue to support financially and in prayer some who are there representing us.

Remember, those in the army are IN THE ARMY. There are no “civilian Christians” on earth. So, if you are living like one, you may simply be AWOL!