Ask Jack
| << Back | Next >> | Recent questions | Ask Jack a question |
| Questions about: Getting involved in missions |
| Constance: (05/09/09) I belong to a fairly small church group called the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. I love my church, but in terms of considering career missions, I find myself in a difficult situation. My church only offers one type of career missionary opportunty- that of the pastor called by the church to go to a foreign mission field (the church selects the person and the field). I'm a third year medical student, and women aren't allowed to become pastors- So, obviously that option is slight problematic for me:) My other option then is to try to join a non denominational mission agency, and I've researched some into Pioneers, Frontiers, and Africa Inland Mission. But all of those organizations require that you raise support. And how do you raise support when the church is opposed to individual fund raising and believes that service should be done through the synod or not at all?
So then, my plan was to do short term missions each year, preferably to the same place in Africa each time. Yet, I've read numerous articles talking about the ineffectiveness of short term missions and their main benefit being to give a window for people considering going overseas in the long term or mobilizing/sending funds for that purpose.
I'm not sure I have a specific question so much as I'm wondering if you have any suggestions on what to do in my particular situation... |
| Jack: Thanks, Constance, for sharing with me your honest and practical question. I appreciate your loyalty to your church. However, as you have described, you face two obstacles:
- The church only sends male pastors.
- The mission board does not engage in medical service.
Thus, it seems logical that if indeed the Lord is calling you to medical service overseas, you will need to look beyond your church. This will involve you basically in seeking support from individuals or non-WELS congregations. How does one go about doing this? I would encourage you to check Bill Dillon’s web-site on “People Raising” http://www.peopleraising.com/index.cfm He has a wealth of experience in helping individuals like you achieve the support they need. The whole experience of going outside your church context will not be easy. It will be a challenge to your faith and test your sense of call. However, it will possibly be a great source of spiritual growth. Some thoughts: • If indeed God has called you, He is well able to provide for you. • “Raising people” rather than money will enable you to develop a unique relationship with individuals who will feel called to pray for you and support you in the same way that you are feeling called to serve the Lord. Though more difficult to develop, your relationship with your supports will very possibly be more dynamic than those who give through the organization without knowing the individual missionaries very well. • You will be part of the vast majority of missionaries on the field today who have had to depend on the Lord for His touching peoples’ hearts and lives as you will. • Just because the church is opposed to fund raising, they don’t have control over the decisions and pocketbooks of your personal friends. I think it would be good to go on a short term mission trip related to one of the mission agencies that attract you. This will give you a realistic view of what medical missions is all about, will give you information you can share with future supporters, and will affirm (or not) your call. I would encourage you to talk personally with your pastor about your situation. State frankly and calmly what the Lord is doing in your life. Ask for his prayers. Keep him informed of what you are doing. If he violently disagrees, you will have a problem, since you are under his spiritual authority. If the Lord continues to call you into this ministry, you might have to consider changing congregations, as wrenching emotionally as this will be. But I wouldn’t start there. Be sensitive to the Lord’s leading and ask Him for guidance. I would also seek mature Christian friends who can give you feedback to your questions. May the Lord guide you, Constance. He is sovereign. Take your time as you make your way. In His Fellowship, Jack P.S. Check out Project Med Send (http://www.medsend.org/). Their concern is to help students in the medical field, interested in missions, with their educational costs. |
| << Back | Next >> | Recent questions | Ask Jack a question |
Print
Email
