Comments on: Why don’t Christians give more to missions?

By: Fiona Veitch Smith

Fiona Veitch Smith — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 10:20:39 +0000

Hi everyone, I’ve been told about a great new website with the goal of helping to support pentecostal missionaries. Drop by and see what they’re up to http://www.pentecostal-missionary-support.org/

Fiona

By: Fiona Veitch Smith

Fiona Veitch Smith — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 08:12:30 +0000

Hi Ed, yes I entirely agree – every Christian has a mission to live out their lives and share their faith in a way that promotes the Kingdom of God. And I also believe that ’support’ is not just financial. However, I’m also aware that lots of people use this broad definition of ’support’ as an excuse not to give financially. On the other hand, some people give financially but never or rarely pray for the recipients of the money. Both are needed. Thanks for the encouragement and God bless you and equip you in your own mission.

Fiona

By: Ed

Ed — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 03:59:11 +0000

Hi
Excellent overview on missions giving, with good advice as well. Thank you for taking the time to write it, and for leaving it up on your web page.

For my wife and I, missions giving was fostered by a church that made missions a core focus. Since moving away from there, we have been surprised and frankly, disheartened by the lack of missions focus at other churches. But, we think that is why God put us here, and why I came across your article. We are now heading a church missions team, and working to teach and encourage others to get involved in missions.

I think your definition of “missionary” may be a bit broad in that every Christian ought to be defined that way (keyword – “ought”).

Financial support seems to be your uppermost focus, no doubt because you lived it, but what about encouraging prayer support, or, where possible and productive, “hands on” support?

Again, thank you for the inciteful article, its grealy appreicated

Here to serve
Ed

By: Fiona Veitch Smith

Fiona Veitch Smith — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:30:57 +0000

Hi Ebenezer. Thanks for stopping by. My husband and I currently have a full missions giving budget (8 organisations or individuals) so are not in a position to partner with you. However, if you would like to leave your website address here, I’m sure anyone who drops by to read this article can check out your website.

God bless you in your work,
Fiona

By: Ebenezer Nfor

Ebenezer Nfor — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:15:26 +0000

Hi Fiona,
I was very touched and blessed while reading your article. Your experiences sound very much like those we’ve had and are still going through. My wife and I have been serving with Campus Crusade For Christ Cameroon for the past seven years.In spite of the challenges,God has been faithful though we operate below our monthly budget which stands at close to $1500. We don’t serve a poor God, rather many factors have contributed in blocking God’s people from being blessed by allowing God use them as channels of blessing by investing in the work of missions. I pray that many will be blessed from reading this article and decide to invest better in missions.
May God bless you for this wonderful work you are doing.
We would be delighted to have you as one of our partners or have you connect us with other mission minded individuals, churches or organisations. How about that? This will be a great and certainly rewarding investment on your behalf as you know. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ebenezer Nfor
Campus Crusade For Christ, Douala, Cameroon.
Tel. 237 77 97 23 54

By: Fiona Veitch Smith

Fiona Veitch Smith — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 07:04:30 +0000

Hi Evang. Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words.

By: evang obinna christian

evang obinna christian — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:07:47 +0000

this is what i have been experience in my ministry over the years more especially in africa,and at the same time i want to thank you so much for the article in which you presents here by understanding and through ur experience,may the good lord reward you, amen.

By: Fiona Veitch Smith

Fiona Veitch Smith — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 10:10:50 +0000

Hi Eric, In addition to the general ‘I give it to my church’ attitude, there is an increasing fear of not having enough; more so in these pressing economic times. I’ve just written a poem about it and will post it on the site later today.

However, I’m beginning to feel that missionary organsiations need to address their financial model and adopt more of a tent making approach. Whether it’s true or not, you cannot get away from the fact that people see missionaries as freeloaders (and some of them sadly are). Being in a secular workplace, even part time, gives you an opportunity to get to know the people you are hoping to reach in their real lives.

I pray for a ‘faith raise’ in your supporter’s lives and in yours and your wife’s to see how God will provide.

God bless,

Fiona

By: Eric

Eric — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 00:33:17 +0000

Stubbed across your site and this article. My wife and I are currently “raising support” to do mission work through an US based sending agency. I believe your section about making our giving to missions part of our “tithe” is the main reason individual missionaries have a hard to receiving the support they need. God has blessed us with many great supporters already and we are doing fine. But, I do believe that many of our contacts would consider giving if they felt that it was part of their giving to the Lord, on the same par with giving to their church. I can’t tell you how many people have told me they can’t give because they already give to their church, but many of these churches give almost nothing to missions. I feel we need a reformation of giving in Evangelicalism which can only be lead by pastors who are more considered with raising money for the Lord’s Work, where ever it might be, instead of raising money for their building projects and staff salaries.

God bless and keep your encouragement of others going!

Eric

By: 10% to the church, or 10% overall? « m.Fund

10% to the church, or 10% overall? « m.Fund — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:34:28 +0000

[...] interviewed people by asking “Should missions giving be above and beyond a tithe,” via this link. Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)The first phone callMissions & MissionAnd we [...]