Most Churches Do Not Do Missions: Why?
I think many pastors will not like the title of this article, much less the content. I cannot help myself; it is true. I guess to say something like this, I am supposed to find the positive spin to try to motivate people. But I simply can’t. I’m done with trying to sugarcoat things. Are there some good churches doing missions? Of course. For the most part, churches do not really DO missions. Many tell me they are mission-minded. However, when I ask questions, I find that thinking about missions is most of what they do. Thinking about missions does not achieve the great commission. What some call missions these days is not missions. It is simply an effort to make us feel good about ourselves.
While I recognize that the word missions is not in the bible, the concept of taking the gospel to people who do not have access to Jesus, is very clear ( See Romans 15:20)
Missions is not just a concept, it's a clear priority in scripture. A quick bible study can easily confirm this. But it's not just the bible that emphasizes this point. From a statistical point of view, as shown in this video, missions are a top priority for churches. Here are some common reasons why churches may not be actively engaged in missions:
Lack of Resources: Overseas missions can be costly regarding finances, time, and human resources. Many churches, especially smaller ones, may not have the budget or manpower to support such endeavors. Of course I would say this: Money Follows Missions. I have a hard time believing that what God orders, He would not also supply the money to do what is necessary.
Comparing Ourselves to Ourselves: I had a conversation today with one of our denominational leaders. I asked the same question: Why don’t pastors lead their churches to missions? His answer was just his opinion, but he stated that so many pastors are comparing themselves to the current big and growing churches and trying to compete with them for parishioners, that missions is on the back burner. In a way I get that. But sometimes I wonder if we are holding on tight to the wrong people and the wrong things in our churches.
Limited Vision or Awareness: Some churches might not prioritize overseas missions due to a lack of vision or awareness about the importance and impact of such work. They may focus more on local ministry and outreach. Nothing wrong with local ministry. But consider that if you are in America you live in one of the most gospel saturated places on the planet. It does not have to be either or. It can be both and.
Cultural and Language Barriers: Engaging in overseas missions often requires understanding different cultures and languages, which can be daunting and require significant preparation and training. But again there are always people who can help with this. This is part of what I do as a fractional missions leader.
Safety Concerns: Many regions in need of missionary work can be politically unstable or dangerous, deterring churches from sending their members. One of my mentors, Dr. Nik Ripken, answered a question I had about the safety of a certain country. His answer: “Where in the bible does it say you will be safe?”. At the end of the 20th century, Francis Scheffer said that the two highest ethics in American life are personal peace and prosperity. These are not biblical ethics and may be part of the problem when too many Christians adopt these as their highest priorities in life.
Theological Differences: Some churches may have theological perspectives that do not emphasize or support the idea of overseas missions. I have not doubt that some Chirstian leaders find ways to skirt the issue of reaching the ethnic peoples of the world, but they are wrong.
Lack of Training: Effective overseas missions require specialized training in cross-cultural communication, evangelism, and practical skills, which many church members may not possess.
Governmental and Legal Restrictions: Some countries have strict regulations and restrictions on religious activities, making it difficult for churches to operate there.
Sustainability Issues: Ensuring long-term impact and sustainability of mission work can be challenging, and churches may hesitate to engage without a clear plan for lasting influence.
Internal Church Issues: Churches facing internal conflicts, leadership challenges, or a declining congregation may prioritize addressing these issues over engaging in overseas missions.
Partnering Challenges: Establishing reliable and trustworthy partnerships with local churches or organizations in the mission field can be difficult, impacting the mission's effectiveness.
I wish I could use some PR technique to try to say it positively and make us all feel better about not doing missions, but I can’t. If we are Bible-believing Churches, then missions are imperative. It is not an option. There is some role for everyone, even if you cannot go. Giving, praying, teaching, and encouraging are all ways that senders can help in the mission effort. But for churches that are not anything to engage in some type of mission work, this is nothing more than disobedience.