What Evangelicals Can Learn From Mormons: Missions

Not
only is the missionary enterprise of the LDS church growing vibrantly, it
defies many of the things Evangelical missiologists would have us believe. Other than language training and
language appropriate materials and scriptures, the LDS missionary is stamped
right out of a boilerplate; suit, nametag, backpack, bike, and scriptures. LDS missionaries hardly engage in any of
the coveted “contextualization” practices that Evangelical missiologists spend
sleepless nights mulling over. The
same gospel is presented in the same way from missionaries that look the same
the world over. This is usually
done in very traditional ways, person to person evangelism with strangers,
which leads to meetings, which leads to some form of discipleship. There is not much research into new
missionary methods by the LDS Church, just good old evangelism; and they are
having great success. Currently
the Mormon Church is one of the fastest growing religions in the world, boasting
over 14 million members.[6]
The
LDS missionary volunteers for two years of service, pays his own way, and tries
to live a life fully devoted to their gospel; devoid of many things of the
world. Many interrupt college,
jobs, dating, military service, to complete these important two years. LDS missionaries view themselves as
bringing the message of salvation to all of heavenly father’s children so that
these children of god can go back to heaven and live with him one day. They want each and every one in the
world to progress in their salvation and achieve as much spiritual blessing as
possible. They are motivated by
their culture that expects them to put in this time serving the church, and a
strong heritage of brothers, fathers, and grandfathers having done the same.
Compare
this to Christianity worldwide. It
is hard to get a true statistic on strictly Christian missionary workers
worldwide since there is not one entity in charge of them all (accept Christ),
but Christianity Today published an
article that put the number roughly around 5-6 million Christian workers world
wide, which includes missionaries.[7] Taking a look at the largest American
protestant denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, they currently have
5,000 full-time North American missionaries and 5,000 full-time foreign
missionaries for a total of 10,000[8];
and this for a denomination that boasts 16 million members in the United
States.
So
what can we learn from Mormons about missions? There is much to be admired in the missionary system Mormons
have set up. But as Christians,
should we desire the same system? Many friends of mine have longed for the same
type of culturally endemic missionary system in Evangelical Churches as is
found in the Mormon Church. In
fact this passing on of the mission from father to son is very in line with the
picture of the faith being passed down from generation to generation in Deut
6:4-9 and Christians would do well to emulate this building of a faith heritage
through common commitment to mission, but has this precious mandate of the
Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20) been turned into one more spiritual badge
of honor? We would love to see culturally
mandatory times of service for our young men and women, but is this the
missionary enterprise Christ set out to found?
As
Evangelicals we need to reclaim personal evangelism as part of the normal
Christian life. Being a Christian
means being an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:11-21). In fact being a part of the missionary
enterprise of the Church has long been seen as a gift from God (2 Corinthians
5:18). Christian missions became
skewed in the 19th and 20th centuries through the setting
apart of a special class of missionaries for the sole purpose of missions
leaving the Church at home thinking it has fulfilled its call to missionary
endeavors through the few lives of others. Do not hear me wrong, I believe Biblical there is a special
calling for persons to be missionaries their whole lives (Think Paul, Titus,
Timothy all missionary pastors and church planters and passages like Ephesians
4:11-12 where evangelists are set apart) and the Spirit blesses with the
coinciding gifts, but there is also a general call that should be part of every
Christian’s life; that is to evangelize everyone within our sphere of
influence. Neighbors, co-workers,
chance encounters with strangers, children, and extended family. Part of being a Christian means
exemplifying and living out a Christ like life and speaking the Gospel into the
lives of those around us. It is
both an action and a word, a lifestyle and proclamation. This is not a two-year commitment
Christ is calling us to; it is a lifetime commitment. The number of professional missionaries we put on the field
should not be the marker of success as Christians, but rather the number of
Christians living out a lifestyle of evangelism everyday wherever they are.
As
Evangelicals we should also realize the urgency of our Gospel over that of the
Mormon gospel. Mormons are excited
and fervent in preaching a gospel of eternal progression, a universalism. If you miss out on the Mormon gospel in
this life, well you miss out on the best scenario in the next, but you have
eternity to improve. The Christian
Gospel understands anyone to miss out on salvation in this life to be condemned
because of their sins to a life in Hell for eternity. It is this reality alone that has motivated many Christians
throughout the centuries to make sure they have done their due diligence and
have given everyone they know the “good faith” offer of the Gospel before it is
too late. As Christians we should
stand convicted concerning our lack of urgency for the true Gospel as compared
to the Mormon excitment for a false gospel.
Finally,
we should note the stark difference in motivation that exists between Mormon
missions and Evangelical Missions.
Mormons are piecing together a list of spiritual achievements that will
increase their standing culturally in this life and eternally with God. Return missionaries reap many more
benefits in the LDS church than their non-missionary serving counter
parts. Christian missions done
right, leave a missionary usually fading off into obscurity, many times loosing
their health, culture, potential income, family, and even their life. The Mormon missionary endeavor is one
of personal spiritual achievement, the Christian mission endeavor should be one
of a thankful Gospel response in love; an overflow of a life dedicated to
Christ. We know what Christ has
done for us, and so we tell others.
Woe to us if we make our mission endeavors a way to see the world or
stamp our spiritual achievement card to be honored before men. We must preach Christ because His love
controls us and because we are convinced that He died for all so that all might
live (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).
The
next time you are considering your responsibility to share the Gospel as a
Christian, whether that is in your day-to-day context, in a short-term mission
trip, or lifetime endeavor as missionary; check your heart and motivation. Are you depending on other Christians
to fulfill your missionary duty?
Do you consider our Gospel message to be urgent important news with the
power to save people from Hell? Are
you seeking spiritual achievement, checking the next box? Or are you responding
to what Christ has done for you in Love?
Do
you care about spreading the Gospel at all? You should….
And
if you know Christ, you will.
LISTEN to the: What Evangelicals Can Learn From Mormons Pocast Series Here!
*The image above was used in accordance with the licensing agreements of WikiCommons and in no way reflects the views of the artist that produced the image.
LISTEN to the: What Evangelicals Can Learn From Mormons Pocast Series Here!
*The image above was used in accordance with the licensing agreements of WikiCommons and in no way reflects the views of the artist that produced the image.
[1] http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-lowers-age-requirement-for-missionary-service
accessed 4/17/2013
[2] http://mormon.org/missionary-work
accessed 4/17/2013
[3] http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-lowers-age-requirement-for-missionary-service
accessed 4/17/2013
[5] http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/church-lowers-age-requirement-for-missionary-service
accessed 4/17/2013
[6] http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/facts-and-stats
accessed 4/17/2013
[7] http://christianity.about.com/od/denominations/p/christiantoday.htm
accessed 4/17/2013
[8] http://www.sbc.net/aboutus/
accessed 4/17/2013
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