As an agency, we also need to emphasize that partnership in the gospel is not limited to financial partnership, but also includes prayer and service. In fact, CRWM has increased its number of volunteer missionaries over the last few years by more than 100%! God is good.
Thanks for the timely analogy, Steve. I do not watch "Downton Abbey" but I can clearly see the parallel in your example. CRWM has been a blessing for many years, and we pray God will use CRWM to continue to bless others and be blessed by others well into the future.
Ken, the new way of fundraising has been called the "90%" model. It was discussed in a recent article in the Banner. It will eventually require all missionaries to raise 90% of their actual costs of doing ministry on the field. The actual costs will differ from the average cost per missionary numbers, which CRWM has used for many years when missionaries were asked to raise 60% of the average cost. Also, with respect to your second question, we agree. It is time that career missionaries take on a new role. However, as our number of partnerships increase in the world, it is also increases the number of opportunities to serve in the world. I am sure you can imagine that 55 missionaries limits the means and locations in which we are able to meaningfully engage. Since CRWM values sharing the gospel with those who have not heard it, we are seeing more and more opportunities to share the gospel creatively with Muslim people groups around the world. The missionaries may not all come from "the West" as you suggest, but as we partner in ministry with other brothers and sisters from the majority world they too will need financial partnership in order for us to see the kingdom continue to advance in our time.
PastorCase I understand your objection, and I believe the analogy certainly falls apart if we think that CRWM missionaries are dependent on the good graces of the agency to continue in their kingdom work. Nothing could be farther from the truth! I think it is important for us to realize that missions is not now nor has it ever been the work of a few apart from the body of Christ. In fact, the support of churches (prayer, financial, emotional, spiritual, etc.) is of utmost importance and remains the gold standard even in the new support model. Please allow me to explain.
Our hope is that more churches would join in helping our missionaries raise the support they need. We see how it is difficult for missionaries to focus on both fundraising and ministry. Therefore, we encourage missionaries to develop teams in North America (members from supporting churches, etc.) who can assist in telling the stories and raising support. In no way should the 90% model be seen as the agency abandoning its missionaries. If that happens, then shame on us (agency and church)! I think what it does is sound the alarm to let the church know that its decisions regarding paying ministry shares, working to adopt missionaries to support, etc. have consequences. I believe that if the need is properly communicated, as well as the vision for what God is doing in the world, the church can meet the need. The resources are there, we just need to reconnect the church to the work being done. We believe the 90% model will work best to re-establish that connection.
As for the question about North American staff raising their own support, I am sure you can see how that might be difficult. The stories they tell will not likely be as compelling as the work of frontline missionaries. So please continue to share your stories, and we will do our best to share them as well, so that God might be glorified, the church of Jesus Christ edified, and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Thank you again for your good kingdom work! We really appreciate you.
Thank you Zach and Sharon for sharing your good, wise analysis of the situation in Haiti. I really enjoyed my recent visit, your hospitality, and your partnership in the gospel. I believe God has good things planned for Haiti, and I believe the people (the same people into whom you are investing) are the reason. Thank you for your good work!
Posted in: Downton Abbey and World Missions
As an agency, we also need to emphasize that partnership in the gospel is not limited to financial partnership, but also includes prayer and service. In fact, CRWM has increased its number of volunteer missionaries over the last few years by more than 100%! God is good.
Posted in: Downton Abbey and World Missions
Thanks for the timely analogy, Steve. I do not watch "Downton Abbey" but I can clearly see the parallel in your example. CRWM has been a blessing for many years, and we pray God will use CRWM to continue to bless others and be blessed by others well into the future.
Ken, the new way of fundraising has been called the "90%" model. It was discussed in a recent article in the Banner. It will eventually require all missionaries to raise 90% of their actual costs of doing ministry on the field. The actual costs will differ from the average cost per missionary numbers, which CRWM has used for many years when missionaries were asked to raise 60% of the average cost. Also, with respect to your second question, we agree. It is time that career missionaries take on a new role. However, as our number of partnerships increase in the world, it is also increases the number of opportunities to serve in the world. I am sure you can imagine that 55 missionaries limits the means and locations in which we are able to meaningfully engage. Since CRWM values sharing the gospel with those who have not heard it, we are seeing more and more opportunities to share the gospel creatively with Muslim people groups around the world. The missionaries may not all come from "the West" as you suggest, but as we partner in ministry with other brothers and sisters from the majority world they too will need financial partnership in order for us to see the kingdom continue to advance in our time.
Great questions!
Posted in: Downton Abbey and World Missions
PastorCase I understand your objection, and I believe the analogy certainly falls apart if we think that CRWM missionaries are dependent on the good graces of the agency to continue in their kingdom work. Nothing could be farther from the truth! I think it is important for us to realize that missions is not now nor has it ever been the work of a few apart from the body of Christ. In fact, the support of churches (prayer, financial, emotional, spiritual, etc.) is of utmost importance and remains the gold standard even in the new support model. Please allow me to explain.
Our hope is that more churches would join in helping our missionaries raise the support they need. We see how it is difficult for missionaries to focus on both fundraising and ministry. Therefore, we encourage missionaries to develop teams in North America (members from supporting churches, etc.) who can assist in telling the stories and raising support. In no way should the 90% model be seen as the agency abandoning its missionaries. If that happens, then shame on us (agency and church)! I think what it does is sound the alarm to let the church know that its decisions regarding paying ministry shares, working to adopt missionaries to support, etc. have consequences. I believe that if the need is properly communicated, as well as the vision for what God is doing in the world, the church can meet the need. The resources are there, we just need to reconnect the church to the work being done. We believe the 90% model will work best to re-establish that connection.
As for the question about North American staff raising their own support, I am sure you can see how that might be difficult. The stories they tell will not likely be as compelling as the work of frontline missionaries. So please continue to share your stories, and we will do our best to share them as well, so that God might be glorified, the church of Jesus Christ edified, and His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Thank you again for your good kingdom work! We really appreciate you.
Posted in: What Does Haiti Need to Truly Recover From the Earthquake?
Thank you Zach and Sharon for sharing your good, wise analysis of the situation in Haiti. I really enjoyed my recent visit, your hospitality, and your partnership in the gospel. I believe God has good things planned for Haiti, and I believe the people (the same people into whom you are investing) are the reason. Thank you for your good work!