Zambia Hunt

In my earlier ministry I came across a lesson entitled “Missionary Qualifications.” I have not been able to track who wrote this, or where it came from. The seven points outlined in the brief outline became part of the DNA of my missionary outlook. I have taken great liberty, based on that outline to flesh out these seven qualities and suggest practical applications.

Effective cross-cultural ministry requires more than just a passport and a plane ticket. The role of a missionary demands a unique blend of personal qualities, spiritual maturity, and practical skills. Here are seven essential attributes that God seeks in those called to serve in missions: humility, boldness and perseverance, compatibility, empathy, a sense of call, love, and spiritual effectiveness. These qualities, rooted in biblical principles and exemplified by Christ and the apostles, form the foundation of successful missionary work. They enable servants of God to navigate the complex challenges of cross-cultural ministry, build meaningful relationships, and effectively share the Gospel in diverse contexts. As we delve into each of these qualities, we’ll examine their significance, scriptural basis, and practical applications on the mission field.

Humility is essential for missionaries serving cross-culturally. Success in missions requires working with nationals as brothers and partners, embracing the role of a servant to equals, much like Paul considered himself a bondslave without rights (Titus 1:1). This mindset profoundly affects one’s attitude toward both Christ and others. Before serving the Lord effectively, missionaries must recognize their own unworthiness and lack of qualifications for the task. Paul’s transformation from persecutor to missionary exemplifies this, as his encounter with Jesus Christ alone made him the servant he became (Acts 4:9-16; Isaiah 6:1,5,8-9). Similarly, Christ’s example of humility, as seen in His willingness to wash His disciples’ feet (John 13:3-5), serves as an antidote to the pride of race, color, and position. By following Christ’s model of humble service and His invitation to learn from His gentle and humble heart (Matthew 11:28-29), missionaries can overcome cultural barriers and truly embody the spirit of Christ in their calling (Philippians 2:5-8).

Boldness and perseverance are crucial qualities for missionaries. The missionary must possess abiding courage, as the best soldier is not merely braver than others but braver for longer (Colossians 1:11-12). Missionaries face numerous challenges, including entrenched forms of hostile religions and ideologies, language barriers, low standards of living, and even the threat of death. Their standard of devotion is described in Revelation 12:11, which states, “They loved not their lives unto death.” Today’s mission fields requires Christians who are prepared to live dangerously for Jesus Christ in a disciplined way, avoiding the fear of man that holds some back (John 12:42-43). Missionaries must cultivate the spirit of power, love, and self-discipline, standing firm in their faith (2 Timothy 1:6-8, 2:1,3). Above all, the missionary must be filled with Holy Spirit boldness, a quality repeatedly attributed to the apostles after Pentecost (Acts 4:13,31). This divine empowerment enables them to persevere through trials and effectively proclaim the Gospel in challenging environments.

Compatibility is a vital attribute for missionaries working in cross-cultural settings. It encompasses the ability to work with and understand others, which is crucial for effective ministry. Missionaries must exhibit the fruits of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:22-23, such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, rather than the works of the flesh. They should also strive to add to their faith the qualities outlined in 2 Peter 1:5-9, including virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. A key aspect of compatibility is the ability to differentiate between important matters and fundamental ones. Missionaries must be cautious not to elevate personal opinions to the level of principles. The foundation of unity lies in willingly conceding to others the right to their own opinions on non-central points of interpretation and matters of conscience such as communion practices, membership policies, music preferences or clothing styles. As 2 Timothy 2:24-25 instructs, missionaries should speak the truth in love, being gentle and patient in their interactions with others, even when disagreements arise.

Empathy is a crucial quality for missionaries, involving the projection of one’s own personality into that of another to better understand them. As Spurgeon eloquently put it, “fellowship is the willingness to know and be known” embodying a transparency that comes from walking in the light. True Christian fellowship is rooted in honesty and openness with others, a transparency that emerges when we live for God without attempting to maintain a facade (which stems from pride and fear of being known for who we truly are) or protect ourselves from misunderstanding or hostility (when our desire to love others surpasses our need to be loved). To truly know others, missionaries must be willing to take several important steps. First, they must cultivate a genuine interest in other people. Second, they need to invest time in building relationships. Third, they should practice the art of being quiet and listening attentively. Finally, missionaries must make sincere efforts to understand others, seeing the world through their eyes and experiences. This empathetic approach enables missionaries to connect more deeply with those they serve, fostering genuine relationships and resulting in more effective ministry.

The sense of call is a fundamental aspect of missionary work, comprising both general and specific elements. The general call applies to all believers, encompassing the mandate to witness for Christ and to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This universal calling is the foundation of Christian life and service. The specific call, on the other hand, pertains to finding God’s will concerning your particular service on the mission field. It involves a more individualized direction for one’s life and ministry. To discern this specific call, missionaries must cultivate the practice of looking to God for guidance in their daily affairs. This ongoing reliance on divine direction helps to clarify and confirm one’s calling to cross-cultural ministry. Importantly, those whom God calls, He also equips. This principle assures missionaries that along with the call to serve, God provides the necessary skills, resources, and spiritual gifts to fulfill their mission effectively. The sense of call, both general and specific, serves as a powerful motivator and sustaining force for missionaries facing the challenges of cross-cultural service.

Love is an indispensable quality for missionaries. A Christian without love can be likened to a reading lamp without a bulb – it may be aesthetically pleasing, but it fails to fulfill its true purpose. This analogy underscores the critical role of love in effective Christian service and missionary work. Missionaries must cultivate a deep love and compassion for the people to whom God sends them. This can be challenging, especially when surrounded by those who may seem unlovely or unappreciative. However, it is precisely this compassion that enables missionaries to be effective servants for Jesus Christ. As 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 powerfully illustrates, even the most impressive spiritual gifts and sacrificial actions are rendered meaningless without love. This passage emphasizes that speaking in tongues, possessing prophetic powers, understanding all mysteries and knowledge, having faith that can move mountains, or giving away all possessions and even one’s body, are all worthless if not motivated by love. Therefore, love must be the driving force behind all missionary efforts, enabling servants of Christ to persevere in difficult circumstances and truly impact the lives of those they serve.

Spiritual effectiveness is a crucial aspect of missionary work that goes beyond mere knowledge or resources. While having a deep understanding of biblical truth is important, it is not sufficient on its own. It’s entirely possible to possess great Bible knowledge yet lack in one’s personal walk of devotion to the Lord. This highlights the need for missionaries to cultivate a vibrant, living relationship with God that translates into practical spiritual power.

The greatest challenge facing the Church’s mission today is not the lack of missionaries, shortage of funds, or insufficient prayer support. While these are significant issues, they are actually symptoms of a more fundamental need: spiritual power. This power comes from a deep, abiding connection with God and is essential for effective ministry.

A key indicator of spiritual effectiveness is the impact one’s life has on others. As exemplified in Acts 16:3 and 2 Timothy 1:6, the apostle Paul had a profound influence on Timothy’s life and ministry. If missionaries find that their lives have never significantly influenced the course of another person’s life, it may be time for them to reevaluate their spiritual effectiveness. True spiritual power should naturally overflow into the lives of others, leading to transformation and growth. This impact is a testament to the working of God’s Spirit through the life of a devoted missionary.

In conclusion, the seven qualities that God seeks in a missionary are humility, boldness and perseverance, compatibility, empathy, a sense of call, love, and spiritual effectiveness. These attributes collectively contribute to fulfilling God’s ultimate purpose: the glory of God manifested through His people. These qualities are not merely ideals but are attainable for those who earnestly seek them, as Jesus promises in Matthew 5:6, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” However, it’s crucial to understand that these qualities can only be obtained from their divine source, through genuine desire, and at a personal cost. The pursuit of these attributes requires a wholehearted commitment to God’s lordship in every aspect of life. For a missionary to be truly effective, the God who is Lord of lords must be Lord of everything in their life. This complete surrender and devotion to God’s sovereignty is the foundation upon which these essential missionary qualities are built and sustained.