Missions’ efforts in Asia are impotent! There are many reasons for this total lack of power. In my opinion, one of the major reasons is that most missions’ efforts are directed by men who hold the money and the authority, rather than by the Holy Spirit through men that He has called to do the work.
As the church has been secularized so has its missions’ effort. The church has become a human-designed organization rather than a Spirit-empowered organism. In a typical church, the real power is often in the hands of those who are wealthy.
The saying “he who pays the piper calls the tune” is not only true in the business world but also in the church, including missions. Since the missions’ headquarters controls the cash it also usually controls how missions is done. Though these administrators have been called to ensure the smooth provision of support (prayer and financial) to the front-line missionaries, they often end up directing missions on the field. Most missionaries on the field have already accepted the fact that since these administrators “control” their funding, they have the right control the way missions is done on the field.
In secular organizations power is in the hands of those who are senior in the organization and higher in the organizational hierarchy. Since the administrators in missions’ headquarters are usually more senior in the organization than the front-line missionaries on the field, it is usual for them to believe that they have the right to make the decisions on the field. They ignore the fact that the Holy Spirit has called the front-line missionary to serve Him in the field. And since the front-line missionary has been called by Him, He will doubtless lead him.
I too am an administrator in a missions’ headquarters. I know that my job is to pray for the missionaries on the field. And one of the most important prayer requests is that my missionaries will be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, rather than the voices of men (including and especially mine!). I am clear that the Holy Spirit called these front-liners to execute His plans, and I am confident that He can do an infinitely better job than I can in leading them.
I may have the unbiblical title of “Missions Director” but I know that only the Holy Spirit can direct missions. My job is to focus of praying for my missionaries, ensuring that they get all the support that they need and stop playing the role of the Holy Spirit!
Believe me it is not easy to stop playing “god” in other people’s lives!
Believe me, money and power are useless in the missions field, unless it is subject to the direction of the Holy Spirit!
The shock of everything is now starting to sink in and the dust is starting to settle some.
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well put across, and I can see that it is true from the foreign missionaries mouth what had been done and will be followed through. This is truly amazing.