The Pastor as Missionary

By the Rev. Dr. Douglas L. Rutt

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in another country? Do you enjoy traveling to new places? Do you like to try different kinds of foods? Do you find it interesting to meet people from other parts of the world, or who speak another language? Do you speak or are you studying a second language?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you might be the kind of person who would make a good missionary! Have you ever thought about it?

It is true that the questions asked above are not the reasons in-and-of-themselves for doing foreign mission work. They are simply some of the characteristics of the type of people who are more easily able to make the adjustments to living in different surroundings, and who will find meeting people from other lands and cultures interesting and rewarding. They are the kind of people who will enjoy the challenge of learning a new language or learning to like new foods. However, one would not want to become a missionary in a foreign land just for the adventure of it. The reason for going must always be to proclaim the Gospel to those who have yet to hear.

The Apostle Paul (apostle and missionary both mean "one who is sent") was a pastor who was especially concerned about those who had never heard of what God had done for them in Jesus Christ. He said, "It has been my ambition to preach the Gospel where Christ was not known . . ." And so Paul traveled throughout the Roman Empire, meeting new people, preaching and teaching, and establishing many new congregations of believers. While his life was full of plenty of adventure, even more than enough adventure (read of Paul's missionary journeys in the Book of Acts), Paul was motivated to be a missionary by the love of Christ.

Pastors today, just like Saint Paul did in his day, serve as missionaries in many countries around the world because of the love of Christ. Jesus said to the Christian church that it is to "go and make disciples of all nations." And so our church still sends pastors as missionaries who continue to carry out the work of telling the Good News of Jesus to those who have not yet heard.

But are only those pastors who go to a foreign land or to people who speak a different language to be considered missionaries? The truth is that every pastor in a very real sense is a missionary. Every pastor, no matter where he may serve-even here in the United States, whether it is in a small rural community, a town, or a large city-will have the opportunity, like Paul, to tell the Good News to people who do not know that Jesus Christ is their Savior. One does not need to go to a far off land to find people in need of the Gospel. Therefore, it is important that even the pastor of a congregation here in the United States sees himself as a missionary. A pastor is a missionary, then, whenever he speaks the Word of God to those who do not know it.

So, have you thought of becoming a missionary pastor? Maybe you are the type of person to whom God has given special talents and likes, so that you would be well suited for something different, something exciting and challenging. Then you very well might make a good missionary. But remember, also, that every pastor is truly a missionary, motivated by the love of Christ to tell of His love for us to "all nations," whether they be near or far.

The Rev. Dr. Douglas L. Rutt is Associate Professor of Pastor Ministry and Missions, Conrodia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana.