Don't Judge a Missionary by Their Stage
Deputation is a part of a missionary’s life that many people misunderstand. This article explains what deputation is and the stages missionaries go through while they’re on it.
Missionaries are people, not super-natural beings. They experience just as much pain, financial struggle, exhaustion, stress, as the average person does, if not more. If you’ve met a missionary they were probably either on deputation or taking a furlough.
Deputation and furlough are two very different parts of a missionary’s life. Deputation is usually done before the missionary starts their work on the field. Furloughs are taken after the missionary has already been serving on the field. Since deputation is such an in-depth process, a lot of misunderstandings of what a missionary does can take place. Not every missionary goes through deputation. This article was written to help explain the different stages that a missionary can go through while they are on deputation.
Deputation is when a missionary travels to like-faith churches to gain their partnership by their prayers and by promised funds to sustain them while they do a work that God has called them to, whether on a foreign field or at-home missions. Deputation, on average, can range from 18 months to 5 years. Every missionary’s journey through deputation is different, but the stages they go through are similar. A missionary’s behaviors and mannerisms can change from the beginning of deputation to the end of deputation. I have narrowed it down to the five stages of deputation.
The first stage is the “awkward” stage.
Appearance: a bit uncoordinated. They might not have a video presentation ready yet, or their presentation just looks cheesy. Their prayer cards may not be the right size, and they may be lacking a little in their social skills.
Put yourself in their shoes. This is the beginning of deputation. They are just trying to figure everything out. They are learning to communicate exactly what it is that God has called them to do. At this stage, the missionary may still be working a job, or they have just left their job. They are taking a step of faith by trusting God to supply their needs while they travel.
If the missionary comes to your church in this stage, you can help encourage them on their way. Give them grace as they learn to depend upon God’s provisions through the care of other believers. It is a long road ahead for them, and your church could be a continual source of prayer warriors that encourages and uplifts them until the end of their journey.
The second stage is the “comfortable” stage.
Appearance: a little odd, but excited and very optimistic. Their communication has significantly improved and they are truly eager to present their ministry to your church. They might share some stories on how the Lord has miraculously supplied their needs or tell you how God has worked in their hearts.
In this stage, churches have started to inform them of their added financial support. Travelling is still mostly new and fun. They have finally gotten into the “swing of things.”
Listen to these missionaries’ stories, and don’t be afraid to share some of your own stories with them too.
The third stage is the “discouraged” stage.
Appearance: zealous but also showing a sense of sadness. A missionary in this stage can appear to be frustrated. The length of deputation is determined by how long it takes for the missionary to raise their support. The first 45% of support usually takes the longest time to raise. The discouraged stage usually happens right below the 40% mark. This is not because their burden is lost, but rather that their desire to start their mission work still feels so distant. They have given it their all, but they feel as though they have little to show for it. Every missionary faces this stage at some point. Usually this phase happens in a slow season for missionaries, the summer. Most churches are busy with VBS, camp, Youth conferences, and vacations and not focused as much on missions. Therefore, meetings are not as frequent and support increases have come to a crawl or to a halt.
In this stage, one of the best things you can do is to offer your sincere prayers for them or help them get some meetings by recommending them to another pastor. Ask God to uplift their spirits, and remind them that He still cares for them. A little note of encouragement or something to say we appreciate you helps these missionaries to keep going.
The fourth stage is the “upward” stage.
Appearance: very optimistic, excited, more talkative, professional. By this stage, the missionary will probably look to be in their prime. Their needed support has surpassed the halfway mark. Things look brighter and their goal is in sight. They have an estimated date to be finished deputation and they are more excited than ever.
A good idea for missionaries in this stage would be asking if they’d like to share any stories of God’s provisions or if they could share some specific prayer requests or needs. Most likely they will have some.
The fifth stage is the “antsy” stage.
Appearance: professional or kind of rehearsed. They are precise in their answers and they are all business. They present their calling and you can either take it or leave it, although they’d rather you took it. ;) By this stage, they might be socially exhausted. The closer the time is to their departure, the harder it gets for them to make new attachments.
This is the final stage of deputation, if the missionary has made it this far. By this point, the missionary has made it through criticism, financial difficulties, sickness, loss of privacy, car troubles; but also through God’s provision, healing, comfort and peace and so much more. At this stage, the missionary has tickets booked or a date set for their departure. They are ready to begin their new ministry that God has called them to.
They start to see that the time they have left is not something to waste. They know when a church really cares for them, and they see through the churches that will forget them. In this stage, the missionary is probably working overtime; trying to squeeze the rest of his time into booking and travelling to meetings, packing and unpacking, saying goodbye to family and friends, paperwork, housing arrangements, etc. Their mind becomes busy with preparing for the next big step in their journey. They are ready to be done travelling and ready to finally be able to do what God has called them to.
This stage is an exciting time to watch unfold. Everything the missionary has worked for is about to take off. One way to keep up with the missionary is to look at their prayer card’s info. They will have ways for you to contact or follow them by email, phone numbers, websites, or social media.
When you meet a missionary, consider the stage they are in before you cast doubts as to their abilities, intensions, and calling. Expect them to be human. Put yourself in their shoes.
''Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:'' - 2 Thessalonians 3:1