Missionaries

[Billy n NC]

Where do they fit in the church government? ie 5 fold .

My wife has now gone to India twice for a total of 7 weeks. God has opened this door for her at this time in our life.

We were having a conversation with a pastor friend yesterday and this came up in her conversation.

Is a Missionary a Minister? Do they or should they licensed??

any thoughts.

[scooter]

I think that our concept of evangelism is a bit in a box.

I would say that missionaries would fall under that catagory. Along with a bit of the apostolic in that some organize complete countries etc.

[Pastor Bill]

I agree with Scooter, I believe most of our concepts of ministry are too much in the box. We worry more about labels sometimes than the work God has called us to.

Is she following God's call on her life? Are lives being changed, souls being saved, ministry being accomplished? those are the important things.

Should she be licensed? I think it is a good thing for our earthly organization to recognize and support the work of the ministry, so yes that would be a good thing, but I don't see it as a requirement.

[dolfan]

If she is sent and serving, she is sanctioned, I'd say.

(Wow. Say that 3 times really fast. )

Seriously, is an official recognition needed? I don't know. Never thought of it with missionaries since the ones I've known have all been tied to some official organization. Do people in India ever ask anything like that? I'm curious to know. That's interesting.

[paul]

Billy,

Having been involved in missions for many years now I would like to submit my oponion. My answer is all the above and none of the above.

Every believer who reads the words of Jesus knows that we ALL have been given the comission to go into the world and reach the lost. The great comission is the base line for christian service and does not necessarily fall into what has been defined as Five Fold ministeries. One does not need to be a licensed minister as we have defined the term.

Now with that said. I do believe that missionaries can and many times do fall under the catagories mentioned. If you plant churches and organize nations you may or may not be in the office of an apostle. But if you are in the office of an apostle you WILL plant churches and organize nations. many missionaries may or may not be pastors or teachers, but will and do teach and care for the sheep of His pasture. As scooter mentioned certinally the ministry of an evangelist comes to mind as to reaching the lost with the message of Jesus.

Now from our organization we operate in this fassion. Many of those who go on short tern or long term mission trips generally are not licensed as ministers. Those who feel that they are CALLED to missions and see themselves eventually on the field are generally given a christian workers certificate. Others have went on to be licensed and some ordained.

OI always try to get them to realize this one point. it is not about the title of the office, it is all about the function.

If it is all about the title, you cannot function with out it. If it is about the function then you don't need the title.

[Penny]

I do not think they have to be licensed to work in the mission field.
God can call anyone to go work for him in the mission field.

My daughter is thinking about going somewhere next year,(i hope she comes back home when she goes, she may want to stay)

[RamboPreacher]

licensed? prolly not. educated? yes. definition of education, though is not based on certifications/degrees.

[paul]

licensed? prolly not. educated? yes. definition of education, though is not based on certifications/degrees.

Working in the mission field, the term educated is very vauge. Educated by western standards? Educated in the culture of the area you are ministering in? Educated in landuages? Educated in the bible? Educated to meet humanatarian needs such as health care, aids prevention, clean water, food and sanatation?

[RamboPreacher]

licensed? prolly not. educated? yes. definition of education, though is not based on certifications/degrees.

Working in the mission field, the term educated is very vauge. Educated by western standards? Educated in the culture of the area you are ministering in? Educated in landuages? Educated in the bible? Educated to meet humanatarian needs such as health care, aids prevention, clean water, food and sanatation?

yes, yes, yes, yes, etc...

I believe that in order to be a missionary (not just attend a missionary-trip). it is necessary to live among the people first. learn to be like them, first. understand as possible their colloquialisms and language, first. once you are become one of "them", then you may be ready to apply a biblical worldview to them. until all the initial learning is accomplished, I am not sure how effective it would be for the Kingdom of God.