Missionary Tourist \\

This phrase has haunted me ever since I heard one of our planters in Glasgow say it. He has come to learn that people in the UK use this phrase to describe the missionaries who come.  Missionary Tourists stay 3-5 years, see all the sites, engage in a certain level of relationship with the ‘locals,’ begin some type of spiritual program and then … leave.

After hearing this phrase and how some people of Brittan have developed a low view of missionaries, I find myself assessing my self as well as our staff candidates differently. I want to discern if this person going to be a Missionary Tourist or if this person going to be an Abraham?

I highly doubt Abraham was secretly thinking, “Sweet!  I am being sent to Canaan.  I can’t wait to see the sites!”  I doubt he was giddy as he packed up his whole household thinking he was on an adventure with God.  No doubt, Abraham realized the weight of God’s command to Go.  Abraham was leaving his father’s household.  He was leaving his responsibilities, his inheritance, his right to family property… his identity.  And he didn’t think, “I can come back in 3-5 years.”  

Abraham’s Going was not just for a season.  It was for a lifetime.  And he went.

I think many missional pioneers who have an apostolic bent love to focus on the Going.  I am nervous they may be perceived as Missionary Tourists.  I wonder if these same pioneers should also focus on Staying. 

In our assessment weekends, I am eager to find potential missionaries who embrace a long view when they start ministry.  This long view changes everything.  

In my own setting in the suburbs of Minneapolis (my own Canaan), I am realizing the missional communities forming here need to be sustainable for my lifetime and beyond.  These are the communities of faith that my children and their friends will be raised in.  And their faith will not be fully formed in 3-5 years.  These thoughts terrify me for this long view ties me to this place.  The longer I stay, the more the fabric of who I am is interwoven with this neighborhood.  I no longer just observe the laments of this place… I lament with them.  I no longer just observe the joys of this place… I celebrate with them.  The longer I stay, the more invested I become in seeing God’s shalom fill this place.   Adopting this long view roots me in ways I many times resist.  

However, I find myself wondering “Am I willing to Go -- and stay – or am I here for just 3-5 years?”  I find myself asking the same question of those I am assessing.  Is this person going to be a Missionary Tourist or are they of same cloth as Abraham?  

Christine Osgood, D.Min. is the Training Team Leader with Christian Associates International.

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