Missionary Partnership: A Brief Biblical Theology of Missions, Deputation, and Partnership

by Ben David Sinclair

The primary purpose of missions is the glory of God, not the salvation of men.

“Nothing is dynamic until it is specific. Nothing is real until it is personal.”

I am passionate about this subject and discuss ideas like this with pastors from time to time. When getting to the point about increasing missionary support, I have had pastors tell me almost the same thing on more than one occasion. I have been told, “It is ridiculous how long missionaries have to endure deputation. That’s why our church supports missionaries at $100 per month.” I write the following sentence in sincerity and love. Churches that support missionaries for one hundred dollars per month or less are the reason why missionaries endure such a long pre-field ministry. The simple truth is that if independent Baptist churches continue to support their missionaries for about $100 per month, deputation will continue to be “ridiculously long.”

Geography may seem insignificant during deputation, but it is a big deal during furlough.