BT Staff / Tuesday, July 9, 2024

SHOE ON THE OTHER FOOT: “I” is for Impactful

Putting the shoe on the other foot looks kind of awkward. It is also uncomfortable and maybe painful. It has, though, its benefits. It allows us to see the whole picture — the good, the bad and the ugly. It impacts our outlook on pertinent matters, especially on the matter of being mission-minded churches.

In the first article, we began to examine the word “missionary” as an acrostic, and the M stood for “Motivated” (see the June 26, 2024 issue). As we continue, the I stands for “Impactful.” The dictionary defines it as “producing a marked impression.” Other synonyms define it as affecting, emotional, impressive, moving, poignant, stirring and touching. All are relevant to the context of our discussion. Is that how we, as BMA churches, see mission work — local or international? I believe this is a valid question. Your answer will impact how your church relates and gives to missions.

I believe missions, in its essence, is to make a difference in the spiritual life of people to whom we are sent. The Holy Spirit makes the real difference, but it is through the gospel message that we carry to people. This is the ground floor. I know you are trying to walk up the stairs to level one with the shoe on the other foot. It is painful. Hold on, you’ll get used to it.

So, it is impact we are looking for. Let’s look at the fact that it has been our habit for years to send missionaries who would plant only one church. They would stay in that location for years, and then, when their kids are of college age or elderly parents need a caretaker, the vision fizzles, and the calling disappears. It’s only been a job, after all.

I was wondering when and where the following words of Jesus apply: “He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. And he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me” (Matt. 10:37)? Just asking! I realize God uses the circumstances of life to fulfill His will in us and through us.

We have been blessed in the BMA with missionary role models who were sent to plant a church but started a church planting movement, and sometimes in more than one country. This is impact.

Level two, here we come. How about impact by serving in the thick and thin of circumstances? Years ago, I was asked by a mission agency considering the Middle East as a potential field, “Under what circumstances would you advise us to pull our missionaries from the region?” My answer was, “When terrorists start killing us because we are Americans, not because we are Christians.” Have you thought of the possibility of martyrdom for the sake of the gospel? I am not saying it is not a scary thought, but facing up to the possibility is necessary. I have always thought that if we’re dying anyway, we might as well make it count. I believe Paul agrees with this statement: “… so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death” (Phil. 1:20).

There is another side to this issue. When times are tough, people look at how we deal with adversity and the adversary. Somehow, they find comfort in seeing that the missionary is not pulling out because he can but he is staying because he wants to. You might say you’re not a missionary, so this is irrelevant to you. Well, it is not irrelevant. How does your church, wanting to be impactful, help missionaries stay the course and take a stand in difficult and dangerous times?

Walking up to level three of this edifice of being impactful while having the shoe on the other foot has been quite a journey so far. But here it is: simply put, we need to put our money where our mouth is. Blunt and straight to the point.

I have always prided myself on the fact that BMA missions has been pioneer in its missiological approach on several fronts. Yet, as churches whose middle name is Missionary and whose purpose to be impactful in the world, there is a lot to be desired when it comes to missions’ giving.

Churches are autonomous, but the fact remains that together, we can do more and be more impactful in intentional missions’ strategy. Prayer is a great source of support for the missionaries on the field, but the responsibility of supporting these missionaries falls upon the local churches who sent these missionaries to start with. It weakens the work when a missionary must leave the field to come home and fundraise for personal support or project money. Finances will take away a missionary’s time, effort and focus.

If all the churches of the BMA gave a tithe of their annual income to missions — local or international — our missions program would be doing very well. The bottom line is impact means a financial commitment on the part of the churches. I have visited churches who have committed 25% of their budget to missions. I think you know from experience that God will bless the 75% to cover all the church needs and expenses.

Well, we’ve made it to the roof — level four. Our feet are killing us for having the shoe on the other foot, but no pain, no gain. The view from here is awesome. It takes a visionary to see it. Examining our level of impact and being willing to change is not pain-free. It takes guts and vision. Herein lies the role of a visionary leader in the church. A leader sold out to Christ’s desire to reach the world with the gospel. I am reminded here of Jeremiah’s description of his feelings when circumstances drove him to decide against speaking God’s Word, but he could not stop, “But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not” (Jer. 20:9). I wonder when the last time was that we felt fire burning within us to share the gospel. I believe that at this level, we are able, as BMA churches, to do mission work impactfully.

You can take the shoe off now until next time. (Chuckcosta58@gmail.com)