For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own. 2 Corinthians 8:3
“One of the most difficult problems facing the Christian movement at the beginning of the 21st century is the dependency on outside funding that has developed in many mission-established churches…There are things which can be done to either avoid or resolve the problem of dependency. The following are a few suggestions for both church leaders and missionaries.
First, we should all recognize that the healthiest churches are not those in which leaders or members constantly look to outsiders for financial support. If you want to see joy and a sense of satisfaction on the faces and in the hearts of believers, don’t look for it among those who are dependent on foreign funds…
Second, begin to recognize the kind of things which cause dependency and seek to overcome the temptation to establish or continue such practices. It will take serious determination not to think of solving problems with outside funds. And remember, the problem cannot be solved if the concept of stewardship is not first built into the Christian message…
Third, it is important to realize that the need for spiritual renewal is at the root of this problem. Do not expect people who do not know the Lord to joyfully support their own churches…
Fourth, there is something else which must precede stewardship teaching. This is what I call a feeling of true personal ownership. Without this, people in dependent churches will often look to someone else to build their buildings, pay their pastors, buy their vehicles or support their development projects…
Fifth, there is sometimes a high price to be paid for moving from dependency toward self-reliance. Some local church leaders may need to say “no, thank you” to the outside funding which has been supporting them and their families…
Sixth, one might ask why it is so important to resolve the problem of dependency among mission-established churches…Is it right to keep on supporting those who have heard the Gospel many times when there are millions of people elsewhere who are still waiting to hear it for the very first time?
In some places the Gospel has been preached for a hundred years or more and yet the people are still looking to others to support their pastors or build their buildings. For those who have not yet heard the Gospel even once, that is just not fair.”
Glenn Schwartz, Executive Director, World Mission Associates, in “Is There a Cure for Dependency among Mission-Established Churches?” (2000).
Last night I flew from Milwaukee (pictured above from Tim Dittloff’s sailboat on which we spent a couple hours before my teaching there) to Dallas to speak at the Evangelical Missiological Society conference on “Sustainability and Missions: A New Testament Perspective Coupled with a Practical Model.”
Few experiences in my life remind me of the Holy Spirit more than riding in a sailboat. You fly a long in peaceful quietness because of power you can’t see but you can feel. I’m grateful that in a busy season of travel to have had that experience. I’d appreciate your prayers for stamina empowered by the Holy Spirit
In my talk today, in general, I will describe the majority world reception of the biblical model set forth in the ECFA Press book I co-authored, The Sower: Redefining the Ministry of Raising Kingdom Resources. Specifically, I will share about the reception and application of this model by Christians in the Philippines.
Bottom line: God’s design for the financial sustainability of His work, everywhere, whether people are rich or poor, is not linked to support from people globally that creates dependencies, but faithful, obedient stewardship of God’s people locally that results in sustainability. There’s no shortcut!
God’s workers must grasp biblical stewardship truths, model them, and teach them to God’s people over time to sustain ministry. If we do this, we will create healthy churches where we minister, and we will also take the gospel to those who have not heard in word and deed.