The word missionary often conjures up a picture of a pioneer venturing into the jungle with a safari helmet and machete—a self-starting, true-grit trailblazer who travels abroad to lay ministry groundwork with blood, sweat, and tears.
Missions in Europe, however, is less about missionaries doing it on their own and more partnership with national churches. God often calls us to support roles, which may be easy or difficult, depending on a person’s situation and gifts. It takes grace and meekness to place national brother and sisters at the wheel, but we are discovering the value of taking a back seat.
During our first 12 years on the field, our ministry focus was reaching university students—but we also helped plant two churches where we served on the board, led worship, preached, ministered to children, and helped lay the groundwork for a daughter church. That experience helped us learn to lead from the middle.
Leading From The Middle
As missionaries we don’t receive a salary from the church we currently pastor; allowing the church to employ a national associate pastor we are training to take the reins eventually. Whether we lead the team or simply belong to it, the goal is raising up nationals who will carry on long after we are gone.
This type of ministry is not uncommon in Germany and other countries with strong national churches. Missionary Steve Walent writes,
The purpose of being in a supportive role is a Kingdom-based approach in my eyes, because it inevitably places the burden on the national leaders, pastors, and workers to discover their purpose in God’s plan to reach their country. We [missionaries] are simply catalysts to make this happen. In that way, I am more of a “multiplier.” Investing in others eventually accomplishes more for the Kingdom than doing it ourselves.
More people come to Christ as Steve coaches German church leaders than would have if he had planted one church.
Nobody Wants To Talk Alone
Missionary Mike Tyler currently serves two churches led by first-time church planters, helping guide the pastors to confidently pursue the ministry to which God has called them. In his words, “Nobody wants to walk alone, and they shouldn’t have to.”
Missionary Austin Brown says, “What proves our love for where we are planted is how we cherish our host country above our own expectations. You support those who have been laboring in love long before you arrived to your new home.” When our national partners recognize we’re not there to build our own kingdom, they value our services all the more.
When we trust our European colleagues to hear from the Lord and help them pursue the plans He lays on their hearts, we show we’re truly committed to the indigenous church concept. After all, this has been AGWM’s goal from the beginning. By taking a back seat, we’re investing in those who will continue to drive the European church in the future.
Kirk and Amy Priest serves as missionaries in Heidelberg, Germany. Along with pastoring Life Church, they serve as area directors for Central Europe.