Missionary Support Crisis
July 20, 2009 – 3:18 pmA blogger at “I Am Debtor” raises some thoughtful questions about the current and coming “missionary support crisis” (his term) in America.
He compares missions support stats from 1965 and 2006, drawing some sobering conclusions, including the fact that there was a 735% in average household income from ‘65 to ‘06, but only a 30% increase in local church support level for a missionary. These stats are astounding and troubling.
In response to the issues that he raises concerning missionary support, he offers a few solutions in a follow-up post. The main bullet points:
- Give More
- Support Fewer Missionaries at Larger Amounts
- Only Invite Missionaries You Will Support
- Income-Producing Missionaries
- Changing Ministry and Lifestyle Approach
- Send More Single Men
It’s encouraging to see folks like not only raising helpful questions, but also offering helpful solutions. The glaring short-comings are easier offered than proactive solutions. Kudos to “Debtor Paul” for helping us think through some solutions.
