Is the age of the western missionary "on the field" ending?

Ed Vasicek
Forum category
Church & Ministry
Topic tags
missions
Featured Poll

Western participation in foreign missions is changing as more and more nationals take the helm, often supervised and supported by western missionaries who do not necessarily remain on the field. With computers and the internet, limited access to certain nations, and missions that help train nationals, we are living in changing times. But will we still see many missionaries from the west on the field, in addition to these new innovations? What is your opinion and/or experience?

Are Western Missionaries "on the field" turning into a thing of the past?

Yes. There may always be some, we will help financially, but that era is or soon will be over. Nationals will take charge.
33% (4 votes)
Somewhat, but not nearly like it once was.
50% (6 votes)
Undecided.
8% (1 vote)
No, we should hold at or near current levels.
0% (0 votes)
No, we will hold our own and even send more to the fields.
8% (1 vote)
Other
0% (0 votes)
Total votes: 12
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Discussion

Profile picture for user Bert Perry
Bert Perry
Sat, 10/07/23 3:54 pm

....if the Nationals take charge, that's really just the Senators, and they were always "first in war, first in peace, and last in the American League." OK, OK, they're second to last in the National League now....

Sorry, couldn't resist. On a more serious note, as someone who works as an engineer and has a LOT of immigrant coworkers, it strikes me that more than ever, it's ordinary people, not missionaries, that may have the most to do with the spread of the church. Nothing against missionaries, mind you, but we might joke that "the cubicles are white for harvest."

Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.