Nov
12
2008
An Interview with Yours Truly about Missions
Liam Byrnes has interviewed me about my mission work in Romania, and he has asked a series of questions and about missionaries and responses.
Here are the questions I tackle in this interview:
- In considering financial support for missionaries to what extent do you think it is important for both the supporter and supported to think about the support as theological endorsement?
- There is an increased awareness in Churches today that the mission field is also their local community, some are saying this is resulting in a drop in financial support being directed to International missions? To what extent do you think this is a good or bad change?
- Many are suggesting that the traditional conception of missionaries and those who ‘Go’ and are financially supported needs to be revised to a more self sustaining bi-vocational model akin to Paul’s tent making enterprise, Is this a realistic model in all contexts? What would be the grounds in your opinion for advocating an approach to missions which is based entirely on financial support?
- In your opinion what claim does a financial supporter have on a missionary, in terms of communication, accountability, and authority?
- What are the foundational concepts which effect the way in which you ‘raise’ financial support? Do you ask for financial needs directly? Or do you not make people aware of financial need and trust that God will provide?
Click here to see my answers to these questions…