I recently read the following quote:
“Here, then, is the shape of mission for … the twenty-first century. Here is the way ahead – a team of focused missionaries who have caught the vision of church multiplication, who have seen the larger picture, who understand that biblical multiplication of reproducing churches results through a determined equipping of local believers for the work of church planting. It is a vision that calls for a new breed of missionary. One who finds fulfillment, not so much in gathering the harvest, but who by investing his or her own life and energy in the training of others, assures the multiplication of that harvest beyond anything they might have done alone.”
It seems to me that there are a lot of ‘strong’ words in this short quote: ‘the way ahead’; ‘focused missionaries’; ‘seen the larger picture’; ‘a determined equipping’; and ‘a new breed of missionary’.
However, it was the last line that set me back a bit on a first (and even second) read. The writer argues that investing in others, training them, “assures the multiplication of that harvest beyond anything they might have done alone.”
Multiplication. It is part of what we say we are all about as World Team workers. Yet, it is a tricky concept to get our hands around and see how it should work it out in our day to day ministries.
The author of this quote simply pushes us back to the importance of investing in others (spending the time and energy) to train them to carry out the ministry. This is the exhortation that Paul gives to us in Ephesians 4:12 – “to equip the saints for the work of ministry”.
Investing in others for the purpose of multiplication bears fruit in the long term, not necessarily in the short term. The investment is well worth the effort because what is left behind after we leave is a growing number of people carrying out the ministry, and multiplying themselves in others!
One question, though, came to mind and caused me to assess my commitment (or determination) to invest in others and “assure” that kind of ongoing multiplication: What do I prefer more: to do a ministry activity myself OR spend the time it takes to train another to carry out that activity (and as a result be recognized by others)?
Moving to more of this kind of investment and multiplication probably starts by addressing our own pride and desire to be recognized and valued by others. We must constantly remind ourselves that ‘the God of all grace’ (1 Peter 5:10) is the One who loves us with an unfailing love and called us to be part of His family, His global spiritual community.
By the way, the quote above? It was written by Joe Conley when he described the outcomes of the Caliraya conference (the launching of our united mission) in 1999 in the Philippines! Just put “WT in” in place of the 3 dots in the early part of the quote.
Filed under: Multiplication, WT Ministry Framework |
Thoughts Along The Journey 
Hi David,
I love the quote, really love the emphasis on training and equipping others to do the work of the ministry. If I look historically at the Americas Area, the places we have seen the greatest long term success are those places where the missionaries trained instead of planting churches. Cuba, Haiti, the early Annie Soper years in Peru. Missionaries trained, the local people did the church planting. It became their DNA and remains so to this day
There are other ways in which we can multiply ministry. We need to do a great job of delegating. As we break up a task and delegate parts of it to many people we multiply outselves and get far more done. Those who do the work are gaining experience and knowledge as they minister and will in turn learn to delegate and multiply themselves.
We need to look at multiplication in everything we do if we are to succeed in this global enterprise we call missions.
In Jesusâ love,
Gary
Thanks Gary for “filling this out” even more. Multiplication is a great word, but the practical application is hard. Yet, as you said, the fruit is well worth the effort!
I must admit that I am surprised at the date and author of the quote. Multiplication seems like such a “buzz” word now by some younger leaders, but this quote, so relevant for us today, stated by a veteran missionary 20 years ago gives it even more weight and credibility.
When I read it in Ed Walker’s autobiography, I was a bit taken back. Such relevance to today. Joe Conley was super insightful, but like you said it shows how multiplication is not a buzz word today, but is part and parcel of ministry in any generation.