Keys to Developing Effective Missionary/Church Partnerships

Part 1

Reaching the world with the gospel is not an option for churches. It is our primary calling and goal. One of the hindrances I have noticed in pursuing this goal over the years involves the Church/Missionary relationship. Once missionaries from their church are approved by their mission board, churches will sometimes abandon those they send out, seeing it as the board’s job to lead and work with the missionary. I cannot find this concept in the scriptures.

I have also seen missionaries jettison their churches, only wanting them to fund the mission. They were not interested in having the church be a partner in the task. They see the church as only a funding partner in their work.

Neither one of these ideas is acceptable. In this two-part series, I wish to share some ideas that I hope will help the missionary and the church become good partners.

PART 1 - Elements for the missionary to look for when finding the right church partner.

1. The Church is Willing to Learn Mission Strategies

Effective missionary work demands a dynamic understanding of their communities and appropriate strategies to share the good news in a way that is effective in their culture. Seldom can a church use the same strategies that are effective in America to reach a people group overseas. Finding a church willing to learn new ideas and strategies is essential.

Missionaries often bring experience and expertise in working with diverse cultures and communities. If the church has one set of ideas of what missions involve and the missionary another, then this partnership has little chance of success. A church that embraces new knowledge and actively seeks to expand its understanding of mission work can make a profound difference in achieving common goals.

2. The Church is in This for the Long Haul. (Versus Just Wanting to Take a Trip)

Missionary work is not a mere short-term endeavor; it requires dedication, perseverance, and an enduring commitment. Finding a church partner that recognizes the value of long-term engagement is crucial. While short mission trips can offer immediate assistance and emotional experiences, sustainable transformation usually requires an ongoing presence.

We have an acronym we use at our church: LTSE, Long-Term Strategic Engagement. A committed church partner is willing to invest time, resources, and energy to build lasting relationships with the missionary and the people group you are working with. This approach fosters trust and credibility, leading to more profound impacts and has greater potential for gospel saturation.

It has been amazing to watch as our church returns to the same partnerships over and over. The people we seek to reach take notice and begin to trust us more each time we go. It also allows our church people to build relationships with real people on the field. We are then able to connect with some of those same people when we return to the field. In the last few years, continuing relationships online has become possible.

3. The Church’s Leadership is On Board with Your Partnership 

In any collaborative effort, the support and involvement of the church's leadership are vital for success. When church leaders are actively engaged and enthusiastic about the missionary partnership, it creates a strong foundation for the relationship.

The endorsement and encouragement of the church's leadership also ensure that the mission work remains integrated with the church's broader vision and values. This alignment contributes to a coherent and unified approach to the mission, promoting a sense of purpose and shared responsibility.

This may sound like a crazy thing to place on this list. It is not. Over the years, I have seen way too many church leaders who saw missions work as a drain on their budgets and were not on board with developing a long-term mission strategy.

4. There is a POC (Point of Contact) Who is Passionate About the Work

In cross-cultural missions, having a Point of Contact (POC) from the church who is passionate about the work can significantly enhance the partnership's effectiveness. Sometimes the church leadership cannot invest the time and energy to help the partnership be effective.

 A POC champion within the church can act as an advocate, ensuring that the partnership remains sensitive to the needs and aspirations of missionaries and the work.

We had a couple from our church that took over the leadership of our first partnership in N. Africa. They not only led many trips, but they were also able to learn strategy and work heavily with our missionaries on the field to see great things happen. They did this for nine years, and the missionary family they worked with became their family. Those first advocate leaders now serve in the Middle East as missionaries.  

Conclusion

Finding the right church partner is pivotal in a missionary's journey. A church willing to learn mission strategies, committed to long-term engagement, supported by enthusiastic leadership, and has a passionate POC advocate can create a powerful alliance for transformative impact. Together, they can demonstrate the power of faith in action, spreading love and compassion to all corners of the world.

We have lived it and seen these ideas put into practice firsthand in our church. If we are to see the world reached with the gospel, then a good church/missionary partnership is imperative to take the gospel worldwide effectively.