The following question was posed to our missionary friend: “What is the minimal training that is necessary for sending a person as a missionary?”
I will summarize our friend’s response.
“Ideally, the person will be able to have seminary training or the equivalent. Formalized training in a classroom setting is not necessary since it is not a biblical requirement, but it does lay a strong foundation for the work of missions. There are many pressing theological and biblical issues that have to be addressed on the mission field—how do we deal with contextualization? how far can we contextualize and be biblical? how do you explain the ‘Lamb of God’ to people who have never seen sheep? There are answers to these questions, but they are found in studying the Word of God deeply. Usually this level of study is accomplished under the tutelage of those who have studied deeply themselves.
“What is necessary is sharpening and preparation for the daily labor of missions whether at seminary or, better, in the local church. A missionary must have a good understanding of salvation and the problem with sinners. If you wish to be a missionary, you must understand that the major problem with man is that he hates God, that he hates God’s Law and His Word, in short, that man is depraved.
“A missionary must also have a thorough understanding of churches and how they are supposed to operate biblically, since an essential goal of missions is the establishment of churches. David Doran, in his book For the Sake of His Name, says that missionaries should be as theologically astute as possible. They must have a good understanding of how to apply the Word to every aspect of life. Sadly, many seminaries primarily teach missionaries about cultural anthropology instead of about biblical theology. Missionaries are just like pastors and teachers—and every Christian—in that they need to have a deep and wide grasp on the teaching of God in His Word. While other training (i.e. cultural anthropology, etc) may be helpful, it is certainly not as important as knowing God through His Word.”
Students, consider these things! If you desire to be a foreign missionary, prepare your mind and heart through the study of God’s Word and live a life that demonstrates consecration to Him. The beginning of a strong missionary movement does not begin in earnest when people are sent to another country—it begins when men and women set themselves apart for God, and live for the sake of His name. May that be your fervent desire!
--Dean of Admissions
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