I'm A Missionary

I've never set foot off this continent. I don't know any languages other than English. I don't know that I'm called to reservations. I'm a Canada Post employee. I spend my free time with my family.
And... I'm a missionary.
It's what I tell people, and how I identify myself. Usually I get politely confused responses. Most of the time, people (particularly church folk) assume they know what I'm saying but they don't. Because if they knew, they'd be missionaries too.
Missionary is a term laden with misunderstanding. So much so, that instead of making use of the word, contemporary church culture has made up a new word: "missional". I remember playing Apple/PC commercial spoofs for my youth group a few years ago, emphasizing the difference between being a "Missionary" (the unsympathetic clueless PC character) and being "On Mission" (the cool guy that everybody wants to be like). But it's a false switch. Because everything good that has been said about bring "missional" can also be said about being a missionary.
So what's bad about being a missionary? Lots can be said on this topic, but it comes down to this: missionaries are seen as abusive and exploitive. Oh, you won't hear that in church. But it lies beneath the surface, doesn't it? We know we "ought to" support our missionaries, but we don't want to, do we? So the guest missionaries need to make sure we know that our support dollars (and prayers) are not wasted. They're going toward spiritual, economic, and cultural transformation in BIG ways. And then the stories start.
Not that the stories are bad. We thank God for lives changed by the Gospel. But why are they being shared? For God's glory? Or to demonstrate that the mission is worth while, and worth your ongoing support? And the big question is, what happens when there are NO stories? What about the missionary who returns empty handed, having used up all the support she raised? Well, she's obviously not really called to be a missionary, is she? Instead, she should find a real job somewhere and support EFFECTIVE missionaries with her money (and prayers) instead.
But what if this was different? What if it all changed and a missionary was not seen as somebody church or Christian organization supported, out effectively winning souls for Jesus full time, but rather as ordinary Christians sent out into the world with a life-altering message and the equipping of the Holy Spirit? Maybe missions organizations could no longer, in that reality, disqualify somebody from being a missionary based on their performance review. Maybe instead of blacklisting ineffective missionaries, they would see their task as supporting, training, encouraging, resourcing, and networking missionaries wherever they find themselves.

Aldergrove needs missionaries. It doesn't need more Christians or churches right now. There are plenty of Christians and churches in Aldergrove right now supporting missions in other nations and other places like Langley and Abbotsford. But Aldergrove needs more missionaries, networked together for support, encouragement, and resource. Jesus said "the harvest is ripe... so pray". We aren't told to be effective as missionaries. Missions doesn't mean effectiveness - it means presence. We're told to pray... for MORE missionaries. So, that's what I'm doing. I'm praying for more missionaries to join me in praying for more missionaries.
Want to join? Good! You're an answer to prayer! We'll continue praying, gathering more and more missionaries in Aldergrove!

Why To Start (or Attend, or Support) A New Church:

Here are some reasons off the top of my head that I think every Christian should consider whether they should help a new church get off the ground. The list is certainly not exhaustive, and may be repetitive at parts, but here is my own passion:
- The world/nation/province/city/town needs more churches to reach more people with the Gospel
- A new generation of unchurched masses needs a fresh expression and presentation of the ageless Gospel
- God is always up to something new, particularly in regards to the salvation of souls. It's a good idea to be on board with Him.
- You can be an encouragement to others who sense the need to start something new.
- Evangelism isn't meant to be a solo exercise, but a community event. A new church often excels at evangelism.
- There's a fresh excitement and willingness to work together, which results in deeper relationships and friendships with others.
- Missions isn't just overseas. It starts in your own backyard. A Christian is called to be a missionary where he/she is planted. Church planting is hard core missionary work.
- Particular churches attract particular people to the Gospel. There's a demographic in your town that isn't being serviced by any other church. Maybe there's a church for them in your future.
- While we are passionate about reaching 'the ends of the earth', we are also told to be witnesses of Jesus in our own Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria.
- Christianity isn't about attending a church, but being a part of the Kingdom of God on mission. Church attendance alone is boring and trivial, while involvement in a church plant is difficult, frustrating, intense, all-encompassing, and extremely rewarding. In short, it's the adventure we are meant to live (John 10:10).
- God wrapped Himself in skin and bones, took on flesh, cried, filled his diaper, was tempted (really), hurt badly both emotionally and physically, suffered, and died. It's called "incarnation". You and I are also called to incarnate the Gospel where we live, with the people around us.
- Attending church in another town makes it more difficult to bring your neighbours and friends along. Is there a church you can be involved with where you live? If not, why not help start one instead of commuting to your spiritual community?
- Churches are closing every week. Meanwhile, our population is exploding. There are fewer churches per capita than even 10 years ago. Canada needs more churches.
- Jesus called His followers "salt" and "light". In a world that has lost it's taste and is groping in the dark, it's time that we stop warehousing our light and blaming the world for being so dark. We must strategically construct beams of light around our neighbourhoods, towns, cities, and the world.
- Very few places are saturated with Gospel presence (in terms of Gospel preaching/displaying churches). Other towns have absolutely NO Gospel presence. What about your town, city, or neighbourhood? What about mine?

I'd love to hear more reasons to join a church plant, and maybe some pushback on mine. Please post below.