{"id":7487,"date":"2021-10-22T14:03:01","date_gmt":"2021-10-22T06:03:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/3cmspace.com\/?p=7487"},"modified":"2025-08-05T12:48:45","modified_gmt":"2025-08-05T04:48:45","slug":"i-want-to-be-a-missionary-but-my-church-wont-send-me-what-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.3cmspace.com\/zh-hans\/i-want-to-be-a-missionary-but-my-church-wont-send-me-what-now\/","title":{"rendered":"I Want to Be a Missionary but My Church Won\u2019t Send Me. What Now?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"buttonheading\">\n<div class=\"email\">\n<p>Most evangelicals have heard a sermon or two on the biblical calling to international missions. You have probably even memorized a few passages on the subject.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\u201cI will make you fishers of men.\u201d (<a class=\"rtBibleRef\" href=\"https:\/\/biblia.com\/bible\/esv\/Matt.%204.19\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-reference=\"Matt. 4.19\" data-version=\"esv\" data-purpose=\"bible-reference\">Matt. 4:19 ESV<\/a>, used throughout)<\/li>\n<li>\u201cYou will be my witnesses . . .\u201d (<a class=\"rtBibleRef\" href=\"https:\/\/biblia.com\/bible\/esv\/Acts%201.8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-reference=\"Acts 1.8\" data-version=\"esv\" data-purpose=\"bible-reference\">Acts 1:8<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>\u201cHere I am! Send me.\u201d (<a class=\"rtBibleRef\" href=\"https:\/\/biblia.com\/bible\/esv\/Isa.%206.8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-reference=\"Isa. 6.8\" data-version=\"esv\" data-purpose=\"bible-reference\">Isa. 6:8<\/a>)<\/li>\n<li>\u201cGo, therefore, and make disciples of all nations . . .\u201d (<a class=\"rtBibleRef\" href=\"https:\/\/biblia.com\/bible\/esv\/Matt.%2028.19\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-reference=\"Matt. 28.19\" data-version=\"esv\" data-purpose=\"bible-reference\">Matt. 28:19<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>But what happens when you want to move overseas to share the good news and your church won\u2019t send you?<\/p>\n<p>Maybe a pastor felt you needed more cross-cultural training or a Sunday School teacher had reservations about your understanding of Scripture. It could be that a fellow church member brought up a sin pattern in your life or a close friend believes the timing isn\u2019t right for your family to undertake a major life transition.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cIt is important to hold fast to the primacy of the local church in sending missionaries and submit to the church\u2019s leadership.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>There are many reasons why international missions may not be best for you right now. Still, that doesn\u2019t relieve the emotional sting of being told no, nor does it provide insight about your calling. In those moments, it is important to hold fast to the primacy of the local church in sending missionaries (<a class=\"rtBibleRef\" href=\"https:\/\/biblia.com\/bible\/esv\/Acts%2013.3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-reference=\"Acts 13.3\" data-version=\"esv\" data-purpose=\"bible-reference\">Acts 13:3<\/a>) and submit to the church\u2019s leadership (<a class=\"rtBibleRef\" href=\"https:\/\/biblia.com\/bible\/esv\/Heb.%2013.17\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-reference=\"Heb. 13.17\" data-version=\"esv\" data-purpose=\"bible-reference\">Heb. 13:17<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>With that in mind, here are five pieces of advice to consider.<\/p>\n<h4>1. Lean In<\/h4>\n<p>When confronted with difficult news, you will be tempted to withdraw emotionally, relationally, and spiritually. Resist that temptation. God gives us the gift of Christian community\u2014the church\u2014precisely for these moments. Healthy discipleship includes moments of discomfort\u2014truth spoken in love.<\/p>\n<p>Humbly ask questions about why church leaders would advise against moving overseas. Did they identify red flags related to your character or doctrine? Or were there yellow flags related to your skill-set, education, health, finances or other logistical circumstances? The answers may be the difference between \u201cno\u201d and \u201cnot now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Inquire about mentoring or more in-depth discipleship opportunities that could overcome the weaknesses they identified and open the door to future international service.<\/p>\n<h4>2. Listen<\/h4>\n<p>If you care deeply about taking the gospel to the nations, it\u2019s okay to be disappointed if your church says no to sending you. You probably feel sad. But don\u2019t let emotions overthrow wisdom. Remember the basic truths of the Christian life. \u201cBe quick to hear, slow to speak\u201d (<a class=\"rtBibleRef\" href=\"https:\/\/biblia.com\/bible\/esv\/James.%201.19\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-reference=\"James. 1.19\" data-version=\"esv\" data-purpose=\"bible-reference\">Jam. 1:19<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Now is the time to heed the counsel of your pastors, church leaders,\u00a0and fellow Christians. Hear what they have to say. Seek wisdom. Listen to instruction.<\/p>\n<h4>3. Pray<\/h4>\n<p>Ask God to make you aware of all the ways he is working in your life through this situation. \u201cHumble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you\u201d (<a class=\"rtBibleRef\" href=\"https:\/\/biblia.com\/bible\/esv\/James.%204.10\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-reference=\"James. 4.10\" data-version=\"esv\" data-purpose=\"bible-reference\">Jam. 4:10<\/a>). What is he teaching you?<\/p>\n<p>Thank God for placing you around Christian brothers and sisters that love you enough to tell you something you don\u2019t want to hear. It doesn\u2019t help anyone to send a missionary around the globe, only to have them return because of a crisis, scandal, or another difficulty that could have been prevented by wise counsel on the front end. Such occasions could also bring dishonor to the gospel.<\/p>\n<p>We should all be grateful to God for churches that care about the souls of missionaries and the name of Jesus.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cWe should all be grateful to God for churches that care about the souls of missionaries and the name of Jesus.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<h4>4. Keep Serving<\/h4>\n<p>Being told that you shouldn\u2019t move overseas could leave you feeling rejected or left out of God\u2019s redemptive plan for the world. But that\u2019s not true. Each of us has a mission field just outside our front door. Many pastors and missionaries say the best way to prepare for international missions is to start now, right where you are. Look for opportunities to continue ministering to internationals in your city or region.<\/p>\n<p>Use the experience of serving where you are to reassess your calling. Invite others to pray and read the Bible with you as you ask these questions: Do I desire to serve overseas? Based on Scripture, am I qualified to be an international missionary? Have I been discipled and equipped? Does my faith family affirm my desires, qualifications, and training?<\/p>\n<h4>5. Don\u2019t Lose Hope<\/h4>\n<p>The book of Acts recounts a story about the apostle Paul and his companions. On their journey north from Jerusalem, they decided to go into Asia to preach the gospel, but the Scripture says \u201cthe Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to\u201d (<a class=\"rtBibleRef\" href=\"https:\/\/biblia.com\/bible\/esv\/Acts%2016.6%E2%80%937\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-reference=\"Acts 16.6\u20137\" data-version=\"esv\" data-purpose=\"bible-reference\">Acts 16:6\u20137<\/a>). They were told no by none other than Jesus himself. Yet, soon after the divine diversion, Paul received a vision to go and preach the good news in Macedonia, which would eventually result in the birth of a church. That congregation is now lovingly known as the recipient of Paul\u2019s letter to the Philippians.<\/p>\n<p>God is not done with you. In fact, he may be sovereignly orchestrating a mission opportunity\u2014whether it\u2019s in a foreign land or just outside your front door\u2014that is more fruitful than you could ever imagine. He desires to see unreached peoples come to know the gracious gift of salvation infinitely more than you do.<\/p>\n<p>It is always hard to hear disappointing news, but we can eternally rest in the truth that \u201cfor those who love God all things work together for good\u201d (<a class=\"rtBibleRef\" href=\"https:\/\/biblia.com\/bible\/esv\/Rom.%208.28\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-reference=\"Rom. 8.28\" data-version=\"esv\" data-purpose=\"bible-reference\">Rom. 8:28<\/a>). You can trust his purposes, which he accomplishes through his church, and joyfully submit to the Lord by seeking wisdom from fellow Christians.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<article id=\"post-101557\" class=\"post_url view-detail default post-101557 post type-post status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry category-from-the-field tag-church tag-guidance tag-local-church tag-missionary tag-missions tag-pastor tag-send-out tag-sending-church tag-sent tag-submission tag-submit tag-wisdom\" data-post-tags=\"Church guidance local church Missionary Missions Pastor send out Sending Church sent submission submit wisdom\" data-post-url=\"https:\/\/www.imb.org\/2018\/11\/14\/church-wont-send-me\/\" data-post-title=\"I Want to Be a Missionary but My Church Won\u2019t Send Me. What Now?\" data-post-excerpt=\"If your church won't send you to be a missionary, hold fast to the primacy of the local church and submit to its leadership. Don't lose hope.\" data-post-image-details=\"[&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.imb.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2018\\\/11\\\/imb-photos-man-and-the-wall.jpg&quot;,1920,1080,false]\">\n<div class=\"article_container container\">\n<div class=\"article_content_wrap\">\n<section class=\"article-content content\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>Seth Brown serves on the pastoral team at Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is also content editor at the Biblical Recorder, a news journal for North Carolina Baptists. Connect with him on Twitter\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/dsethbrown\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@DSethBrown<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<aside class=\"recommended-reading\">\n<div class=\"container\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"wpuf_customs\">            <li class=\"wpuf-field-data wpuf-field-data-radio_field\">\n                                    <label>Resource Format:<\/label>\n                                Article            <\/li>\n                    <li class=\"wpuf-field-data wpuf-field-data-text_field\">\n                                    <label>Original Author or Owner:<\/label>\n                                Seth Brown            <\/li>\n        <\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Most evangelicals have heard a sermon or two on the bib&hellip;&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.3cmspace.com\/zh-hans\/i-want-to-be-a-missionary-but-my-church-wont-send-me-what-now\/\" rel=\"bookmark\">\u9605\u8bfb\u66f4\u591a &raquo;<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">I Want to Be a Missionary but My Church Won\u2019t Send Me. What Now?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":326,"featured_media":5836,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"off","neve_meta_content_width":70,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":"","footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[205],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7487","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pre-field"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.3cmspace.com\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7487","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.3cmspace.com\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.3cmspace.com\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.3cmspace.com\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/326"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.3cmspace.com\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7487"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.3cmspace.com\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7487\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7490,"href":"https:\/\/www.3cmspace.com\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7487\/revisions\/7490"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.3cmspace.com\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5836"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.3cmspace.com\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7487"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.3cmspace.com\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7487"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.3cmspace.com\/zh-hans\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7487"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}