THE BLESSINGS OF DEPUTATION

Missionary deputation is often looked upon as "the pits," a horrible experience through which fledgling missionaries must pass in order to become "real missionaries." "If only we could avoid deputation," say some who claim that otherwise they would consider missionary service. But what they do not realize is deputation is missionary work! It is a ministry! A missionary on deputation is not merely a trainee, an apprentice, or a "wannabee" missionary. A deputation missionary is an actual, God-called and appointed missionary!

A "deputy" is one appointed to represent another person or group. Newly-appointed missionaries travel across the country presenting the challenge of their field and seeking churches who will "deputize" them, send them as their representatives to the field.

Rather than concentrate on the problems of a missionary on deputation, let us consider the many blessings and benefits.

Learning personal discipline

Most missionary candidates are at least college graduates. One would think that much personal discipline would have been learned in that setting. There is always room for improvement. The missionary needs to learn to be on time, to be prepared, to study well and to deny himself. "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection" (1 Cor. 9:27).

Enlarging our faith

Learning to trust God for one's temporary needs is vital to missionary service. When the appointee begins, he will be operating on a financial "shoestring." Usually he will need to maintain what secular or church employment he has until he is able to raise sufficient funds to go it on his own. There comes a dramatic moment when he must step out by faith, trusting the God who has called him to supply all his needs and those of his family. He must learn to "walk by faith" (2 Cor. 5:7).

Practicing frugal living

Twentieth-century Christians have been raised in a culture of affluence. Many have never had to really live frugally. Missionaries on deputation must learn to live that way. The wife must give close attention to the cost of groceries, clothing, and the other necessities of life. All members of the family must repudiate the innate human desire for "things" and be satisfied with the necessities that God will provide. Someone has aptly observed that God has promised to supply "all your need" (Phil. 4:19), but not all your wants.

Developing the ministry of prayer

A missionary who is prayerless is powerless. Prayer is one of the spiritual disciplines developed in the crucible of deputation work. Doors are opened through prayer. Churches are led to support through prayer. Power is given in public ministry through prayer. One cannot wait until landing in a foreign country to begin praying. As one travels across the miles searching for support, he must "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17).

Trusting God for daily needs

"How will we pay our bills? Where will the living expenses come from?" The Devil tends to magnify such questions in the minds of young missionaries. Sometimes unspiritual relatives contribute to the problem and worry can result. Jesus gave a beautiful instruction: "Therefore I say unto you, take no thought [do not be anxious] for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink . . . your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6:25, 32-33).

Patiently waiting on God

Moderns want things now. We desire instantaneous gratification, immediate resolution of problems. The life of a deputation missionary involves much patience. The financial support so earnestly desired is often very slow in coming. There is a desire to hurry and get to the appointed field. But remember God is never in a hurry. James reminds us "the husbandman [farmer] waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth . . . be ye also patient" (James 5:7-8).

Ministering to pastors

A deputation missionary can be a blessing and encouragement to weary, battle-worn pastors. From the innermost being of the spiritual deputation missionary may "flow rivers of living water" (Jn 7:38) to refresh the heart of the man of God as well as others. Just being a friend to the pastor, praying with him, and encouraging him can be a God-blessed ministry. Paul remembered with fondness Onesiphorus "for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain" and "he ministered unto me at Ephesus" (2 Tim. 1:17, 18).

Ministering to individual believers

A traveling missionary appointee has a marvelous opportunity to strengthen individual believers all across the country. Often the missionary will be entertained in homes. He will meet hundreds of children, youth, and adults in the course of his travels. Paul, a traveling missionary, wrote back to the people whose lives he touched. He was not among them simply to teach them, nor to receive offerings from them. His heart was expressed in this fashion: "So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because you were dear to us" (1 Thess. 2:8). Deputation missionaries must learn to love people. Often their most effective ministry may not be in the pulpit, but in the home, at a restaurant, on the playground, or some other place where they are ministering to people.

Challenging people to full-time service

Often God has used deputation missionaries to speak to individuals about giving their lives for home or foreign missionary service. A young man in the church at Lystra was challenged by the apostle Paul to missionary work. "Him would Paul have to go with him," says the Scripture (Acts 16:3), and Timothy became a missionary. As missionaries go from church to church and school to school, they will be led by God across the pathways of many to whom the Spirit is speaking.

Challenging local churches

Local churches need to be stirred, informed, and challenged to become involved in world evangelism. The visiting missionary may be God's instrument to do that. The average deputation missionary will minister in scores of local churches prior to the completion of his deputation work. What an opportunity to impact the life of these churches! As the Spirit fills and uses the missionary, eternal fruit can result. Were it not for the deputation system of seeking support, the missionary would not likely be in most of those churches.

Motivating churches to give

Paul commended the Philippian church because "when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated [sent offerings] with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only" (Phil. 4:15). Where did the Philippians learn they ought to give to missionaries? No doubt, they learned from the teachings of Paul. While a visiting missionary must be careful not to usurp the leadership role of the local pastor, he can give a boost to the pastor by showing his people why they ought to be giving financially to missions. This can be done without calling undue attention to his own need, but simply through emphasizing the teaching of the Word of God.

Sharing vital information

Churches need to have information about the needs around the world. Missionary vision and support arises out of a God-placed sense of need. People who do not see the need will not pray nor give. While on deputation, a missionary appointee can share abundant available information on the country to which he is going about which his listeners may know very little. He needs to concentrate on the spiritual needs and not merely the physical and social needs which so often are emphasized.

Learning about vital issues

In college and seminary, young missionary recruits have heard about various theological and procedural problems which are facing churches today. However, as they travel among the churches, they experience first-hand many of these things to which they may have had little exposure. The same, or similar problems will face them on the field. It is helpful to become acquainted with them before going to the field.

Learning the good and the bad

Observing at close range the operations of many churches, the missionary should be able to see things to emulate and things to avoid. He will visit all kinds of churches. Some are functioning well under good leadership. Some have programs that are working; others do not. It is not the missionary's responsibility to correct the pastor of any local church. He, however, can learn much if he is observant. It will assist him in managing his own church on the field.

Learning to care for one's health

Many missionaries will go to countries where one's health can be jeopardized, and medical facilities are not as numerous nor competent as those in the States. To maintain one's health is vital, since sick missionaries are impaired in their work. They may even have to leave the field if relief cannot be found. While on deputation, one can learn to watch out for one's health.

Developing inter-personal skills

A missionary may know the Word of God and even be able to communicate it well, but still be a failure in working with people. The missionary will have to work skillfully with all kinds of people when on the field. He needs to learn how to do that while still in the States. Deputation enables the missionary to develop in this area. He will be required to meet and interact with all types of pastors and lay persons. He must learn to be gracious, kind, and flexible in varying circumstances.

Developing ministry skills

What better way to develop the skills of teaching and preaching than by doing both! In deputation ministry, the missionary is able to make many public presentations of the Word of God, plus his own ministry. This amounts to a great training ground for the improvement of the gifts God has bestowed.

Preparing children

Wise missionaries use deputation time to educate their children concerning the field to which they are going. They also seek, by God's help, to inculcate in their minds the biblical reasons why mom and dad are going to a far country and what their role will be. Children can be an asset on almost any mission field. If properly taught from God's Word during deputation, they can blossom into effective missionaries as well. Deputation time can afford the opportunity for them to grow in their missionary vision of the great harvest fields.

Experiencing testing

Much lament is heard about how long it takes to raise support. While shorter times would be appreciated, the months of deputation must not be viewed as wasted time. God kept Moses for forty years on the backside of the desert before using him. He secluded John the Baptist in the deserts for a period of time before sending him to preach to Israel. There is benefit in learning to wait, in having to "do without," and having to struggle. Through the rigors of deputation, God prepares His servants for an even more demanding ministry abroad. If a missionary cannot make it through deputation, he will never make it on the field. Deputation is a testing time. It is needed.

Developing social graces

Some today are lacking in the art of meeting and fellowshipping with people on a social level. Ours is not a generation which specializes in the development of what we generally call "the social graces." These include proper etiquette, how to conduct one's self in another's home, how to discipline children, and countless other small but important tasks. In deputation, these skills will be refined (if the missionary is open and teachable) so he will be more useful to God on the field of service.

Engaging in Evangelism

Every missionary is to be involved in evangelism. That is the heart and soul of missionary work. Where better to hone one's evangelistic skills than while traversing a land filled with lost people?

Conclusion

Deputation ministry should not be viewed as a waste of time. If properly conducted, it can be an investment of eternal value. A Spirit-filled deputation missionary can be a mighty tool in the hands of God.