Printer-friendly format. Jump to page: 1 2 3

African Americans make up about 12 percent of the U.S. population, but less than 1 percent of the American missionary force to the world. Why is this? What can be done to change it? Many are saying that African Americans are in a position to become one of the most effective mission forces in the world. The need today is mobilization.

The Manila Manifesto held as its motto, "The Whole Church Taking the Whole Gospel to the Whole World."1 The African-American church is a part of the whole church, and the African-American church can relate to a whole Gospel. The problem is that the African-American church is not involved in the whole world. Most evangelical African-American churches know little about cross-cultural missions, and even fewer are involved in cross-cultural ministry.

Under-Representation. The number of African-American missionaries serving cross-culturally has always been proportionately low. What are the reasons for this under-representation? Why is it still the case today and what will it take to change it?

The aim of this article is to consider the role of the African-American church in world evangelization and propose recommendations for mobilizing the African-American church.2

Current Obstacles

The latest statistics paint a sad picture of the current involvement of African Americans in missions. Jim Sutherland counted 242 total African-American missionaries serving cross-culturally in 1998.3 In 1973, Robert Gordon reported under 300.4 These numbers compare to 33,000 missionaries from the U.S. in 1973 and about 45,000 U.S. missionaries today.5 African Americans make up about 12 percent of the U.S. population but less than 1 percent of the U.S. mission force to the world. If it was proportionately represented in the mission force today, the African-American community would have some 5,400 cross-cultural missionaries.

We know that history has played a part in bringing about this shortfall. Several generations were simply cut off from direct involvement and promotion of missions. Because of this, subsequent generations just did not have missions on their agenda at all. But what other factors have come into play in today's church situation?

In March, 1999, a new mission association called COMINAD (the Cooperative Mission Network of the African Dispersion) held a conference on the subject of mobilizing the Christian descendants of Africa to world missions. The conference identified many contemporary obstacles to African-American involvement in missions. Among those hindrances:

· Most African-American pastors are unfamiliar with what is going on in the world today regarding missions. They were not taught about missions. They do not know general missions history. They are unaware of the heritage of African Americans in missions. Thus they cannot teach their congregations about missions.

·African-American pastors desire financial stability. They want to bring the money into the churchnot send it out. Since the African-American community has historically been oppressed and deprived of opportunity for financial gain, now that many opportunities exist, the desire is to bring it in and keep it in the community. Many African-American churches still struggle financially for their own survival. Yet the statistics indicate that a high percentage of African-American churches are doing very well financially.6

Some African-American pastors will discourage and even rebuke anyone who endorses sending resources outside of the community. The needs of the community overshadow missions. They cannot see the needs of the world, because they are focused on the needs next door. The church is correct in concern for the needs of the community, but with almost two billion people outside of the reach of the Gospel, we are not released from the responsibility to reach the world.

Historically, the American dream has eluded the African-American community. For many, attaining it has become a Christian value. Thus, moving from oppression and want to materialism and comfort is a subtle but natural distraction. American prosperity is finally within the reach of the African-American community, and missions runs counter to that plan.

·Many African Americans fear rejection and a lack of emotional support from white mission agencies. In the past, African Americans were accepted to serve with white mission societies, but on the field they were given menial tasks. Blacks were accepted to work, but not to lead.

With a lack of mission education and a priority on home, it is no wonder that the African-American church represents only a small percentage of the mission force in the world.

---

A forerunner in the modern African-American-intiated efforts at sending missionaries, Carver International Missions had a majority of their missionaries retire in 1996--ten missionaries with ovwer 200 years of experience. "They must be replaced."--says Executive Director Glenn Mason.

---

The Role of the Church

Before looking at mobilization, we must be clear on the task to which the church should be mobilized. Often we have great plans, but to reach inappropriate objectives. What is the purpose of the church? Why does this organic institution of God's people exist?

The purpose of the church is to glorify God by equipping the saints for the work of the ministry. "And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ" (Eph. 4:11-12, NASB). Every member should be growing toward maturity in Christ and every member should be using his or her giftedness toward the completion of the Great Commission (Eph. 4:13-16).7

Equipping. Church leaders are not to function as dictators, but as equippers. Leaders should not do all the work, but equip the body to do the work (Eph. 4:11-12). Since we are a body, we all have functions. Rather than watching a few parts perform their function, we should all be set in motion to accomplish our unique tasks (1 Cor. 12:18).

Paul takes it a step further with Timothy. He admonishes Timothy to develop multiplying leaders. "And the things you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these commit to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also" (2 Tim. 2:2). Not everyone will be a leader, just as not all are to be teachers (Jas. 3:1). But leaders and disciples are to multiply themselves in order that the church may grow and mature. Everyone is to operate in his or her giftedness.

In the African-American church, equipping is usually accomplished through the preaching of the pastor and the Sunday school program. If we are going to see a fervor for missions in the African-American church, then it also must be integrated into those two primary components of the church. The education ministry of the church must include basic equipping for ministry, including taking the Gospel to the whole world (Matt. 28:18-20).

Growth toward Maturity. Ephesians 4:1 admonishes us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which we have been called. Ephesians 4:13 and 4:15 speak of our growing to maturity in Christ. Maturity does not come independently, but through the ministry of God's leaders and through unified use of our gifts to build one another (Eph. 4:16).

Paul labored with and for the Colossians so that they would mature. "And we proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, that we may present every man complete in Christ. And for this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me" (Col. 1:28-29). In this capacity, Paul nurtured the body. Nurture is a necessary part of bringing the church to maturity

Page 1 of 3 Next


COMMENTS

Log in to post your question, comment or thought New members, register today - registration is free!
Email: Password: