Minister or Martyr?

© The Navigators

In a day of information overload, many missionaries neglect a maxim from Dawson Trotman, founder of The Navigators:

"Don't do what others can and will do."

Do you personally try to fix a stubborn printer? Seal every newsletter envelope? Are you the only one capable of securing a meeting room or recording expenses? Have you ever asked yourself why you don't delegate more? Don't want to raise extra money? Hmmm...

I've had volunteers or paid assistants since my first year in field ministry. They've worked from six to forty hours per week, particularly in organizing meetings. They've freed me to talk with non-believers, meet face-to-face with new believers and to spend hours studying with laborers. They've also given me time to be with my family, and most importantly, to be with God.

You didn't join your mission because you thrive on administration. Have you evolved into a detail-manager stuck at your computer trying to get an attachment to print? Yes, you need administrative detail, done well.  But don't do them all yourself. Ask God to give you a gifted volunteer so you can invest more time in people and study.

"...the task is too heavy for you; you cannot do it alone." Exodus 18:18