I’ve often heard the assertion that every believer is a missionary. In fact, a church I know and love posts a sign for all to see as they leave the property, stating, “You are now entering the mission field.” I love the heart behind these words. The truth is that Christ calls all of his followers to make disciples. But does that mean that every believer should bear the title of missionary? I would argue that the answer is no, for the following four reasons:
1. The New Testament Witness Concerning Missionaries
Scripture uses numerous titles when speaking of those who belong to Christ, including disciple, ambassador, Christian, and saint. The most common terms designating believers highlight family (“brothers and sisters”) and union with Christ (“in Christ”).
The term missionary, however, does not appear in the New Testament. The closest corresponding term is apostle, which comes from the Greek apostolos, meaning “sent one.” We derive the term missionary from the Latin word missio, which means “an act of sending.”
The four canonical Gospels reserve the term apostle for the 12 men who compose Christ’s inner circle. Jesus confers upon them unique authority as the founders of the early Christian movement. At Pentecost, the Holy Spirit confirms this authority by operating signs and wonders through them (Acts 2:43, 9:36-42).
Later, in the book of Acts and the epistles, the semantic range of the term apostle expands. It continues to refer to the original 12; it also includes close associates of the apostles, as well as those sent out to plant churches (Rom. 16:7). The latter likely represent what we call missionaries today. In every case, it refers to sent ones.
2. Paul Was a Missionary
In Acts 13, the church of Antioch recognizes the need to send out workers to unevangelized regions. They therefore pray, seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance, and consecrate Paul and Barnabas to missionary service.
That doesn’t mean those who remain behind do not bear witness for Christ in their city. They do so as disciples and salt-and-light ambassadors. But not as missionaries. Because the Spirit doesn’t select the entire church of Antioch as “sent ones.”
Instead, they remain behind, pray, give, mobilize, and work for the kingdom’s advancement. Just as believers are to do today, vis-à-vis the missionaries the church commissions.
3. Missionaries Cross Borders
Historically, missionaries have braved treacherous travel to distant destinations for the cause of Christ. The numerous missionary biographies my husband and I have read with our girls attest to the dangers these courageous women and men willingly faced to take the gospel to the uttermost parts of the world.
Thankfully, in the past century, air travel, modern medicine, and globalization have reduced the risk associated with foreign missions and opened the door for many more Christians to answer that call.
That said, not every missionary has to leave their native land. The nations are now at our doorstep, as the world’s least evangelized peoples call many major Western cities home. While those serving among them may not traverse physical frontiers, they do cross linguistic and cultural borders to take the good news to the lost.
4. Missionaries Raise Support
Practically speaking, one big difference between a missionary and a disciple-maker serving in their church and workplace is that a missionary must raise financial support.
This aspect of missionary life can be a joy, and it can also produce tremendous stress and discouragement. This is especially true for those who are not gifted communicators and struggle to mobilize others to join their team of senders.
My own salaried pastor, a faithful evangelist, gifted disciple-maker, and trusted shepherd, has more than once stated that he is so thankful he doesn’t have to raise support the way my husband and I do. It’s not easy!
Conclusion: All Believers Are Called to Make Disciples
Certain churches do an excellent job inspiring and equipping their members to bear witness to Christ in their community. Historically, however, some churches have emphasized foreign missions so much that they have neglected local outreach. As a result, their communities remain unevangelized while they invest heavily in reaching the nations for Christ.
Churches on the other extreme argue that charity begins at home, and that we should prioritize our neighbour before we think of the lost on the other side of the globe. This approach can produce an anemic understanding of the Great Commission and flat-out disobedience of Christ’s command to make disciples of all nations.
The solution is to recognize that the Lord of the harvest calls certain gospel-workers to go to the very ends of the earth, and he charges his bride, the church, to supply their needs in a manner worthy of Christ (3 John 6). As they send out these missionaries, churches should also galvanize the family of God at home to shine Christ’s gospel as a beacon in their community. Not in opposition to cross-cultural missionaries, but as partners, disciple-makers, and heralds of our great Redeemer and King.
