Lausanne World Pulse – Themed Articles – Building a Solid Theological Foundation for Mission Policy and Praxis

By Samuel Escobar
May 2008

Another aspect of the same principle at stake is the enthusiastic sending of missionaries without adequate training, nurture, and structures of financial and pastoral support. A study of missionaries, conducted in fourteen countries by the Mission Commission of the World Evangelical Alliance, tried to understand the reasons for missionary attrition, the early return of missionaries to their sending base before completing even their first assigned term. Both old and new sending countries were affected by this problem. The frequency of the problem required a self-critical and realistic approach. The book Too Valuable to Lose summarizes the results of the study.⁶

A second study carried on in twenty-two nations during 2002 and 2003 tried, among other things, to follow up on the corrective measures proposed by the first study. This second study shows that there are reasons for rejoicing because there is in fact an improving situation and there is hope for the future. The principles proposed by the Lausanne Covenant in terms of concern for depth and adequate training (Par. 10 and 11) and spiritual maturity (Par. 12 and 14) are a good theologically-based foundation for what could be called “Best Practices” in missionary sending.

Three and a half decades after the Lausanne Covenant was drafted, evangelicals around the world are still convinced that “worldwide evangelization will become a realistic possibility only when the Spirit renews the Church in truth and wisdom, faith, holiness, love, and power.”

So the planning and practice of mission requires the spirit of expectancy reflected in the call of the Lausanne Covenant: “We therefore call upon all Christians to pray for such a visitation of the sovereign Spirit of God that all his fruit may appear in all his people and that all his gifts may enrich the Body of Christ” (Par. 14).

Endnotes

1. Comparative data taken from David Barrett and Todd M. Johnson’s 1998 article “Annual Statistical Table on Global Mission: 1998.” International Bulletin of Missionary Research (IBMR) 22(1): 26-27; and David Barrett, et. al., 2008. “Missiometrics 2008: Reality Checks for Christian World Communions.” IBMR 32(1): 27-30.

2. Stott, John, ed. 1996. Making Christ Known. Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA: Eerdmans.

3. Claydon, David, ed. 2005. A New Vision, A New Heart, A Renewed Call. Vol 1. Pasadena, California, USA: William Carey Library. 558.

4. Butler, Phill. 2006. Well Connected. Federal Way, Washington, USA: Authentic-World Vision.

5. Escober, Samuel. 2002. “New Patterns for Interdependence in Mission.” In The Urban Face of Mission. Eds. Manuel Ortiz and Susan S. Baker, 97-114. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, USA: P & R Publishing Company.

6. Taylor, William D, ed. 1996. Too Valuable to Lose: Exploring the Causes and Cures of Missionary Attrition. Pasadena, California: USA: William Carey.

Samuel Escobar was born in Peru and ministered in Latin America under the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students. He was chair of missiology at Palmer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania, USA. He spoke at Lausanne 1974 and was a member of the committee that drafted the Lausanne Covenant. Presently he lives and teaches in Spain.