One of the conversations that I shared this week focused on how we can best describe the task of missionaries in the development of strong local churches in the mission field. An oft-quoted development model identifies four steps: self-governance, self-sustainability or becoming self-supporting, self-theologizing, and self-duplication through planting additional churches. While the steps in the model provide a helpful understanding of what is to occur, they say little about how such occurs and are not particularly helpful in working with mission churches. (I cannot remember ever explaining or using these steps in seminars with local churches on the mission field.)
Ben Langford, director of the Center for Global Missions at Oklahoma Christian University, suggested that a more helpful model might be to think of shared responsibility. His comment suggests to me another progression, one that can guide mission work and challenge newly established congregations. It occurs to me that the beginning of a new congregation occurs with all (or almost all) of the responsibility on the shoulders of the missionary or mission team. Only in unusual circumstances will there be a national or indigenous church member immediately available to help bear the responsibility. The task moving forward is to share responsibility, with more and more responsibility assumed by the members of the local church, and less and less responsibility borne by the inserted individuals. The timetable for the complete transfer of responsibility varies according to numerous factors, but many missionary church-planting teams begin with a seven-year plan.
Understanding mission or church planting through the lens of responsibility can help identify what are appropriate tasks for the missionary or mission team and how those tasks change over time. Obviously, a primary role of the inserted group is to share the good news and bring people to Christ. But from the first day, the task is to model Christianity, to mentor and develop spiritually mature Christians. The goal is not merely baptisms. The goal is spiritual maturity, both for those who accept Christ and for the church as it learns to function as the body of Christ in healthy ways.
This is merely conversation starter with the hope of encouraging thoughtful response which will be helpful in future blogs or articles.
What are some of the “steps” in the transfer of responsibility? How does this “play” cross-culturally? What are the strengths and weaknesses of this view of the mission task? When and how have you seen this model or concept used successfully?