So you wannabee a missionary?

Portuguese blogger Nuno Barreto wrote an interesting series of articles on missions. He says: "I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly of foreign missionaries to Portugal, and it's time to speak out. This is for everyone that wants to know how it feels to have missionaries sent to him." I summarized his advice for wannabee missionaries:

1. Skip Bible school; instead learn how to plant churches in real-life.
2. Engage with the culture, but dare to be authentically foreign; don't imitate the locals.
3. Count the cost and learn the language.
4. Get a job that helps you meet lots of people, and join a club.
5. Forget about targets and 5-year plans; get a (family) life.
6. Resist the temptation of forming a holy bubble with other missionaries.
7. Beware of support with strings attached; stay financially free to be able to move with God.
8. When you plant a church, don't stay on as a pastor; your best gift to the church is to move on.

Comments

[Nuno Barreto]

Hey, you just made my posts sound much better :)

[David Hund]

Interesting read. I agree with most points. Certainly good points for discussion. Keep it up Nuno!

[andiwolf]

VERY GOOD POINTS, Nuno!!
I would love to see even indigenous pastors follow this set of advices...

[Nuno Barreto]

Thank you all , I'm just happy I can be usefull to the kingdom in some way :)

[Bill Wilkie]

Seth Barnes sent me to your blog.

I agree in principle with your eight points but I edited #1 and #7

1. Skip Bible school; instead attend a great university and become an expert in a field that the country needs so that they will ask you to stay after ten years.

7. Beware of support with strings attached; get a job that pays well based upon your expertise so that you stay financially free to be able to move with God.