A Vision for the Mission

“Deputation” = 1. the act of appointing a person or persons to represent or act for another or others. 2. the person or body of persons so appointed or authorized.

(Dictionary.com)

“Deputation” comes from the same origin as “deputy.” In the earlier days of America, local sheriffs would “deputize” trustworthy men of good reputation, to assist them in enforcing the law whenever necessary. These deputies became an extension or representation of the sheriff and his authority in order to accomplish a mission that the sheriff could not otherwise accomplish on his own.

In the same manner today, the church has been given a mission that they must strive to accomplish. We call it the Great Commission. (Matthew 28:19-20) Acts 1:8 gives the plan for this mission, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

In a way, missionaries become the church’s “deputies.” The local church appoints and sends out missionaries as their representatives to share the good news of the Gospel message throughout the world, while faithfully doing the same work in their community- reaching their “Jerusalem” for Jesus Christ. This creates a partnership of support and teamwork between missionaries and local churches to accomplish the great mission that God has called all of us to do.

The lesson comes when the missionary realizes that they are not raising finances to get to the field. It is all God’s money and He will supply it in His time. Instead, they are helping local bodies of believers (the local church) to catch the vision of one particular focus within the Great Commission. Missionaries are inviting churches to join together to reach a specific people group, that the they could otherwise not reach on their own.

The church, in turn, needs to realize that the Great Commission is a mission that all of us have to fulfill. To catch this vision, they must see and hear about new areas of the world or new people groups who desperately need the Gospel. Missionaries have that vision to share. Sure, when a missionary calls to set up a meeting it goes without saying that they will need finances to sustain their calling. This should not deter the vison for the mission. Just as God will supply the finances and needs of the missionary, He will also provide the ability for a church to give.

So, the bottom line is this: The missionary must realize that He is sharing the heart and vision God has given him and not “fundraising for a field”. The church must recognize and accept the responsibility of sharing the Gospel “… in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” When these two purposes come together and everyone trusts God to provide the means and motivation to accomplish this task, the cause for Christ will move forward as never before!