Since joining Operation Mobilisation in 1987 I wrote 167 personal prayer - and newsletters. Writing has never been a problem for me. I enjoy it and it's a helpful way to reflect on, and document my own learning. In the world of missions, it is the expected and accepted practice for fund-raising, accountability and reporting. An important part of it is the maintenance and development of the financial, moral, and spiritual support that the worker desperately needs.
Faithfully I committed myself to the discipline of writing a letter the 15th of every second month. I have skipped many of these deadlines in the last few years. What happened?
I didn't get sick or lost my keyboard. It's not because I have been so busy that I just didn't have time (if one can watch a whole season of House of Cards, there certainly is enough time to write a two-page letter). I didn't change jobs, that justified giving up writing. So what's up?I asked myself the question: "Why do I write prayer- and newsletters?" I kept on asking the question until I exhausted all possible answers to that question. In the process, I went from an obvious, superficial, pet, more honest to what I feel was the bottom line answer. I'll get to that later. This isn't an exhaustive list, more like a starter. The "green" indicate how I would honestly answer the question.
Because it's expected of me. It's actually in my job description.
I know quite a few people in the missions scene who never write a prayer/newsletter, yet they're still with the organisation. So I won't get fired if I stop doing it. This answer doesn't hold.
Because I'm working for a Christian ministry and what we do is so cutting edge and exciting that we have to write about it.
In our era of information overload, there are ample, much better stories to be found on the internet. In our organisation, many fields have their own websites and good communicators who write stories better than I could ever do. Another answer that goes down the drain.
Because as a Christian ministry we're targeted by the enemy and we need to round up as many prayer warriors to battle against the fierce attacks of the enemy, aimed to destroy the ministry and me. Often heard: without prayer, there would be no success in ministry.
This is where worldview plays an important role. Apparently, Christians still divide the world in two's: the ideal world of Christian "extraordinary" work, also known as "ministry", and the trivial, ugly, secular world where we do "normal" work. If this was a true representation of how God created and looks at the world, all Christians with "normal" jobs should start pushing out prayer letters like crazy as they are in even greater need of the prayers and support of fellow believers. I only know of one person holding a "normal" job who sends out an annual, written update to his friends. Whether ministry or work, all believers are targeted by the enemy and in equal need of each other's support and prayer.
Because we're in missions.
What is it that defines whether something is missions or not? If you honestly analyze that question the answer is sobering: we use "missions" when the aim is Christian outreach (displayed in numerous activities, from proclaiming the Gospel to handing out a cup of water) and it needs to be financed by others. Example: I'm a fan and promoter of Short term Missions (even though I often critically question the effectiveness of it in terms of outcome). An interesting phenomenon is displayed in our churches regarding people joining a ST outreach. They often get platform time, are being blessed and even receive financial support. The "odd duck," who decides to spend the holiday with his bum on a sandy beach at some exotic destination, is left to his own devices, yet in more need of the church's support and prayer than those going on a ministry trip.
What happened to the grand statement that the vast majority of believers adhere to that all Christians are in missions regardless of where he works, vacations, lives? Yet we maintain the (false) distinction.
Because I need moral, prayer and financial support.
Here's where it gets more real. Yet, if I had to choose which of the three would be the predominant reason for me to write my prayer- and newsletters it is because at the end of the day I need your money. Without it, I'm out of a job that I am truly passionate about. And here's where I feel I exposed myself. Yes, all the above is important, but what matters most is the money. The "problem" with the Gospel is that it's not a product like an overpriced I-Phone that people "need" and go to great length for to get it so the money will flow to Apple and others that benefit from this crazy "need." The spreading of the Gospel to places where people have never heard it remains totally dependent on the generosity and passion of believers that support this cause.
Because I need to be accountable.
Yes, I work for an organisation. Yet, if I don't cover my own costs, I'm out! It's a crazy reality. Who's my real employer? OM might be the vehicle but personally, I believe I'm hired by my supporters and they are entitled to receive an account of the yield on their investment. That's the second real reason why I write. More than these two I don't have. Earlier this year a dear friend initiated the formation of an accountability group for me. They get to ask the hard questions and to hear my heart, soul and flesh! It's been a great encouragement and I just love these people!For 33 years I have lived in this reality and I have always struggled with it. Yet all these years the Lord has humbled me by providing in all my, and my family's needs, through dear and precious friends that support the cause I'm investing my life in.
Personally I believe that this "personal support raising model" is most effective in the Western world where in general believers have some money to invest in causes. I foresee that the relationship with individual workers is going to be more crucial than ever with organisations becoming more aggressive in their fund-raising efforts (it ticks off quite a growing number of personal supporters). But it must be said that it's not a Biblical model. It creates segregation, the have's, wanna have's and never will have's. But the same time it is what it is and changing this system will take one or two generations.
In closing I must give credit to all my supporters who have demonstrated their ongoing commitment by continuing their investment in this crazy Dutchman. Without them I wouldn't be able to continue doing what I feel God has called me to do. It's an ongoing battle. Philosophically, spiritually and literally (the latter because the challenge to maintain and develop the support base is ongoing.Where one supporter goes, he/she needs to be replaced with another).
(This is an edited repost from 2014)
