Missionary Question

[Twisted]

I know a man who has a ministry in Fiji.  He has been in Fiji for around 15 years.  His sending church was a church here in the states.

Here is my question:  Why does a native Fijian, who was born and raised in Fiji, and who has a Fijian wife, and Fijian children, need a "sending" church in America?

FYI, this man came to America and is a graduate of a Bible college here.

 

[Jimmyjammer]

That's a good question. I see that happen alot.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[FSSL]

For support. It is very helpful to foreign missionaries to have a legitimate relationship with an American organization.

It is much like Jerusalem sending out Paul, et al.

With that said, it is not necessary. I helped plant a church that had no sending church. Politics, personalities... you know...

 

[Twisted]

For support.

You nailed it.  I knew the answer when I posted the question.

This keeps him "connected" to the American dollar.

What's interesting is that his first "sending church" supported him for 15 years, then dropped him.  Why?  Well, they usually support new churches for no longer than 2-3 years, because by then you should be self-supporting.  This church carried him for 15.  But now he's found another American church to be his "sending" church.

 

[Twisted]

For support.

You nailed it.  I knew the answer when I posted the question.

This keeps him "connected" to the American dollar.

What's interesting is that his first "sending church" supported him for 15 years, then dropped him.  Why?  Well, they usually support new churches for no longer than 2-3 years, because by then you should be self-supporting.  This church carried him for 15.  But now he's found another American church to be his "sending" church.

I guess what bothers me is it seems disingenuous.  Having a "sending" church implies that he is an American on a foreign field.  He ain't American and he ain't on a foreign field.  He's home.

 

[brianb]

I know a man who has a ministry in Fiji.  He has been in Fiji for around 15 years.  His sending church was a church here in the states.

Here is my question:  Why does a native Fijian, who was born and raised in Fiji, and who has a Fijian wife, and Fijian children, need a "sending" church in America?

FYI, this man came to America and is a graduate of a Bible college here.

Probably because he can't find a sending church in Fiji that believes like he does.  If the question is about sending churches in general - a sending church helps to give credence to the missionary for those interesting in supporting him/her/them.

 

[Twisted]

a sending church helps to give credence to the missionary for those interesting in supporting him/her/them.

So unless we redefine the usage of the word "missionary", he's fooled you too.

Do we now call every pastor a missionary?  I know David Gibbs calls himself a "legal missionary" (yeah, I don't buy it either)

If I go home and start a church, do I then call myself a missionary?  No, I'd call myself a church planter.  I can raise support for that and have a "sending" church too.  For awhile.  If I need more funds, I get a job.

Of course, there are exceptions to all this.

 

[Tarheel Baptist]

a sending church helps to give credence to the missionary for those interesting in supporting him/her/them.

So unless we redefine the usage of the word "missionary", he's fooled you too.

Do we now call every pastor a missionary?  I know David Gibbs calls himself a "legal missionary" (yeah, I don't buy it either)

If I go home and start a church, do I then call myself a missionary?  No, I'd call myself a church planter.  I can raise support for that and have a "sending" church too.  For awhile.  If I need more funds, I get a job.

Of course, there are exceptions to all this.

Technically a missionary is one sent on a ?religious? mission.
If this brother is a National starting a church in his home country, then he is the ?product? that most foreign missionaries would seek to produce. Is your problem with him personally?
Is your problem with a church in the US being a sending church for a national church planter? Or, is your church supporting him? If so, you should let your Pastor know how you feel about his support.

 

[Twisted]

a sending church helps to give credence to the missionary for those interesting in supporting him/her/them.

So unless we redefine the usage of the word "missionary", he's fooled you too.

Do we now call every pastor a missionary?  I know David Gibbs calls himself a "legal missionary" (yeah, I don't buy it either)

If I go home and start a church, do I then call myself a missionary?  No, I'd call myself a church planter.  I can raise support for that and have a "sending" church too.  For awhile.  If I need more funds, I get a job.

Of course, there are exceptions to all this.

Technically a missionary is one sent on a ?religious? mission.
If this brother is a National starting a church in his home country, then he is the ?product? that most foreign missionaries would seek to produce. Is your problem with him personally?
Is your problem with a church in the US being a sending church for a national church planter? Or, is your church supporting him? If so, you should let your Pastor know how you feel about his support.

Is over 15 years still "starting" a church?

No, the Ward doesn't support him.  And yes, he has said things (and his attitude) about money that bothers me.  I also wonder why, when he spends more time in Australia, that he has to have an American connection?  It's all about the bucks.  But it's a free country (sorta).

Thankfully, this is the only instance of this that I know of.

John R. Rice said it was ok to send him your tithe.  It drove Jack Hyles nuts, yet they got along.  I'll get along too.

 

[Tarheel Baptist]

a sending church helps to give credence to the missionary for those interesting in supporting him/her/them.

So unless we redefine the usage of the word "missionary", he's fooled you too.

Do we now call every pastor a missionary?  I know David Gibbs calls himself a "legal missionary" (yeah, I don't buy it either)

If I go home and start a church, do I then call myself a missionary?  No, I'd call myself a church planter.  I can raise support for that and have a "sending" church too.  For awhile.  If I need more funds, I get a job.

Of course, there are exceptions to all this.

Technically a missionary is one sent on a ?religious? mission.
If this brother is a National starting a church in his home country, then he is the ?product? that most foreign missionaries would seek to produce. Is your problem with him personally?
Is your problem with a church in the US being a sending church for a national church planter? Or, is your church supporting him? If so, you should let your Pastor know how you feel about his support.

Is over 15 years still "starting" a church?

No, the Ward doesn't support him.  And yes, he has said things (and his attitude) about money that bothers me.  I also wonder why, when he spends more time in Australia, that he has to have an American connection?  It's all about the bucks.  But it's a free country (sorta).

Thankfully, this is the only instance of this that I know of.

John R. Rice said it was ok to send him your tithe.  It drove Jack Hyles nuts, yet they got along.  I'll get along too.

Then I won?t support him.
And I?d suggest you not support him.
But being independent and all, any church is welcome to do differently.?

 

[subllibrm]

We are "missionaries" and y'all can feel free to support our work here. 

Were aren't starting anything, just part of maintaining a 50+ years ministry. Having staff raise support is for the purpose of keeping the cost down for the kids who come here to camp.

FTR we are under supported and I am bi-vocational driving school bus. The bills are paid and the bellies are fed. God is good!