Getting from Here to There: An Interview With Matt Bennett and Rachel Ware

RTIM: In a recent RTIM Review, you co-authored an article about getting from here to there. Can you summarize this concept for the reader?

Matt Bennett, Director of Long-Term Ministry: The article attempted to help aspiring missionaries think through the multistep process of moving from having a burden to serve among the nations to actually being sent by their church. It encouraged churches and aspiring missionaries to engage in an intentional season of evaluating character, competency, and convictions prior to commissioning someone. It sought to give churches permission to evaluate and develop missionary candidates over an observed season of ministry and life so as to have confidence that those they send are suited for the work to which they are sent.

RTIM: Why are character, conviction, and competency important for missionary assessment at RTIM and in general?

Rachel Ware, Director of Mobilization: When we think about sending missionaries to do the work of church planting and church strengthening, we want to ask ourselves what criteria the Bible uses to evaluate ministers of the gospel. And it is clear from Scripture they must be marked by godly character (Titus 1:7-8; 1 Tim 3:1-13), they must hold fast to sound doctrine (Titus 1:9), and they must be able to handle and teach the word of God. While not every missionary will be a pastor, the character qualifications for elders or deacons should mark anyone we send.

RTIM: What role does the sending church have in this process?

RW: As a missions organization, we are limited in our ability to assess someone’s readiness for the field. We do our best with the processes we have in place, but ultimately the applicant’s sending church will know how a prospective missionary actually serves the church, evangelizes, disciples, sins and repents, instructs new believers—I could keep going.

At Reaching & Teaching, we love to view ourselves as the bridesmaid to the bride. We are here to make the bride (the church) more beautiful as it sends missionaries around the world. It’s neither our desire nor our responsibility to declare that someone is ready to be a missionary. That’s the local church’s job. I have been so encouraged by conversations with so many churches who have embraced this reality and are excited to send their own people well.

RTIM: How should someone seek out affirmation and assessment if he or she wants to go overseas long-term?

MB: The short answer to this question is that candidates should seek out affirmation and assessment humbly and patiently. As I noted above, those who aspire to missions work should be encouraged to undergo a slow season of assessment of their character, convictions, and competencies. Can they tell someone, “Follow me as I follow Christ”? Do they know and can they teach sound doctrine? Can they learn a language and engage cross-culturally?

In most churches and for many candidates, this could look like a modified version of training and assessment to be a deacon or elder. Whatever the process looks like, the prospective missionary will need to submit to the church’s leadership and trust their evaluation, even if that means slowing down the candidate’s departure.

RTIM: If someone needs or desires ministry training, where should he or she look?

MB: My answer to this question depends at least somewhat on where a person hopes serve and what role he or she hopes to play. If someone is going to a geographically and linguistically isolated people, I would suggest a training program with a residential component. There are two that we recommend that immerse students in a context, help them begin to learn a language, and teach them certain skills for cross-cultural living in remote places.

Regardless of where someone hopes to end up, I would highly recommend a church internship or pastoral assistant role. While the cross-cultural element will flavor ministry, the core task of making disciples and establishing healthy churches will be the same anywhere. That’s why experience and exposure to the work of church ministry will always be beneficial.

RTIM: How can church members support those in their congregation who desire to go on the mission field?

RW: I love this question! Faithful senders are absolutely essential to the missionary task, and there is so much we can do to embrace our role. Give monthly to aspiring missionaries, and increase your gift over time. Pray for them regularly, and send them a text or email to tell them that you did. Respond to something they shared in their newsletter. It’s always encouraging to know that someone is reading! Link arms with other members of your church to send an unexpected care package with some of their favorite things from the States. Work to meet practical needs when they come home, such as a car, a house, groceries, and gift cards. Host a prayer time in your home for a missionary, and when they are stateside, invite them to share! Ask them to talk about a few people to whom they are ministering, and watch their eyes light up with joy.