Checklist: Can I go to missions?
You would like to go on the missions field – but before this, you’d like to find out in how far you (individually or as a family) are ready for this? Here you have a checklist for the missionary calling of a family that you can use for orientation:
- Do we have a clear calling?
- Is our motivation for the missions ministry right (more important than duty and need is the love for God)?
- Have I honored God until now in my ministry (God needs the best people for the best work)?
- Can we already see missionary fruit (a change of location does not automatically bring a change)?
- Do our children have a good physical constitution?
- How about our ability for acculturation (this means first humbleness and the readiness to die to self)?
- How about adaptability to colleagues and locals (many return because of the lack of adapting to other missionaries)?
- Am I living with God? Spiritual tasks are no management tasks.
- Are our marriage relationship and the family relationships strong (they will not come to order on the field)?
- Are the priorities in our life right (do our family or our children suffer from our “ministry philosophy”)?
- Is our parenting biblical?
- What does our God-given ministry vision look like?
- Do we have the ability to think and plan strategically?
- Do we have an awareness for our gifts and ministries?
- Precondition: Do we have the courage to take this challenge?
- Do we have a sense of humor?
- Do we have sufficient support – first in prayer and then in the financial area?
- Are we faithful in our communication?
- How about our parents? Are they taken care of?
- Are we living in God’s power? Have we received authority from God for doing this ministry?
- Can you see a sanctified lifestyle in me and my family?
Article by Brad Thurston. The information was summarized from a seminar on calling by Günter Krallmann in October 1997. Translated from German by Natalie Cuc.
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