Daily Message

Definition and Philosophy of Raising Support and Bible Study

Deputation refers to the process of raising sufficient prayer, encouragement, and financial support to enable a field worker to serve overseas. Just as consistent prayer and encouragement are crucial to your ministry overseas, consistent financial support is also necessary. You are encouraged to ask people to make a regular commitment in all aspects of support (prayer, encouragement, finances).

Few workers look forward to the fund raising element of missions. Remembering a few things may help you:

1. God has called you to serve Him overseas. We have carefully examined your credentials, background and ministry, and have confirmed that call. Because God has called you He will also provide the support that you need.
2. You are not asking for money for yourself. You are quite capable of supporting yourself through your work while here at home. Instead, you are raising money for a ministry--a ministry that would not take place in the same way if you did not go. Jesus, the Apostles, and (sometimes) Paul relied on the financial support of other believers. "The worker deserves his wages" (Lk. 10:7).
3. Many, maybe most, missionaries look back on the process of deputation as being very positive and even fun! It builds faith in a new and deeper way, brings lots of encouragement, builds relationships with other Christians who share their commitment to the Great Commission, and gvies them lots of opportunity to talk about something they're very excited about--the ministry God has given them to do overseas! Trust God that it will be a growing and positive experience for you, too.
4. The focus should be kept on the ministry--not the money needed to do the ministry. God has called us to make disciples of all nations, not to raise money. We must often raise funds to do what God has called us to do, but that is incidental. Whenever we present our ministry, whether in prayer letters or in personal presentations, 90-95% of our time should be spent on the ministry itself, and only the remainder need usually be devoted to our needs. Our emphasis is on building, maintaining, and deepening personal relationships with friends in Christ who are or who may become ministry supporters--not on seeking funds. We must mention our needs, but should do so briefly, concisely, frankly, and at the end of our presentation, after we have first invested time in the relationship and focused on the ministry itself.
5. Fund raising can be a very significant ministry (yes, ministry!) all on its own. Since most Christians can't or won't go overseas themselves, supporting others who are going, through prayer, encouragement, and financial giving, is the best avenue of involvement available for them. Missions, unfortunately, is not a major emphasis of some churches. Therefore, your presentation to a group or to individuals is a prime opportunity to educate and encourage them about God's heart for the nations, what He is doing worldwide, and how they can participate in that. (See the Reading list for suggestions).
6. Many missionaries report they first began to consider serving overseas through meeting and spending time with, and supporting missionaries who were in the process of raising support. Is that what happened to you? You are an example. You can encourage others to consider going by showing that missions is a possibility for them. ("Hey, if I can do this....") Why not pray and work to recruit a team to come minister with you?
7. Most people don't like to be "button-holed" with your financial needs. The hard sell doesn't win partners in ministry, so we favor a low-key approach. If God does lay your financial need on the hearts of fellow Christians, they need to know how they can support your ministry.

All you should generally say is something like, "What I ask is that you would take just a few minutes to pray. Ask God if and how He wants you to get involved. If you would like to participate in my ministry, you may send your contributions to Mission to Unreached Peoples, PO Box 30947, Seattle WA 98113-0947, and designate your gift for my support."

All contributions are tax-deductible and donors will receive a tax receipt for each gift. Experience has shown us that your support base will be larger and more solid when you have people committed to making regular monthly pledges. However, one-time gifts are very important too.

Bible Study on Financial Support

• Is there a Biblical basis for a Christian worker being supported by others? Num. 18:21-24; Lk 8:1-3; Mt. 10:10; Acts 18:3-5; 1 Cor. 9; 2 Cor. 11:8
• Is there a Biblical basis for making needs known? Mat. 10:11; Rom. 15:24; 2 Cor. 1:16; 1 Kin. 17:7-16. We must have faith in God when we tell only Him. And, we must also have faith in God when we appeal to people!
• May a Christian worker appeal to non-believers? Neh. 2:1-9; Acts 10:24, 32; 3 John 5-8.
• May Christian workers appeal to people they are not ministering to currently or have not ministered to previously? Gal. 6:6; 3 John 5.
• May a Christian worker appeal to those who are already giving heavily? 2 Cor. 8:3; Phil. 4:10; 2 Cor. 8:7
• May Christian workers appeal to those not as well off financially as they? Deut. 16:17; Lk. 21:1-4; 1 Kin. 17.
• At what standard should Christian workers set their life-styles? Num. 8:14; 3 John 6; 1 Tim 5: 17-18; Mat. 11:18-19; Prov. 30:8-9
• May a Christian worker have savings accounts or investments? Lk 16:11 (stewardship); Mt. 6:33; Prov. 6:6-11; Prov. 13:22.

Note: Most of the material for this Bible study originated in The Navigator's "Raising Personal Support" notebook.