The Megachurch Missions Minister

By Chris DeWelt

“With great power comes great responsibility” (Voltaire, not Spiderman)

The megachurch missions minister occupies a new and unique role. In their article, “U.S. Megachurches and New Patterns of Global Mission,”1 researchers Robert J. Priest, Douglas Wilson, and Adelle Johnson make several important observations. One is that the American megachurch missions pastor is a gatekeeper who watches over a very significant portion of the megachurch budget. Their survey found the average annual foreign missions budget in the megachurch was $690,000. Outside of general payroll and facility needs, the missions budget of the typical megachurch easily eclipses all other ministry categories. Priest also notes the need for more research concerning the role and work of the missions minister.

Here are some things I observed concerning the missions pastor in the megachurches in our church network:

“¢ A close connection with the lead pastor.

One pattern appeared frequently with respect to the missions pastor in the megachurch: generally speaking, he or she is very closely connected to the lead pastor. It was not unusual to discover the missions pastor had been, in fact, mentored if not won to the Lord by the lead pastor in earlier years. In some cases the two grew up together.

Along with this close connection is direct accountability. In almost every case, the missions pastor answers directly to the lead pastor, or to the lead pastor”s executive team. This factor is very important in understanding how missions works in the typical megachurch.

“¢ A business background.

Although not universally true, a dominant factor in the selection of the missions pastor is that he or she has a business background. Often this business background involved international connections and foreign travel. The business background element was reflected in what I would term a “no-nonsense” approach to ministry. In order for programs to be engaged in, they must make sense to the missions pastor.

“¢ Interest in more missions training.

With some notable exceptions (including five who had served as missionaries themselves), the missions pastors had not entered their role with much in the way of missiological training. However, all verbalized an interest in helpful education that would improve their skills. Many have become involved in training processes (such as Perspectives, Kairos, and many others) since beginning their duties.

“¢ Serious and personal commitment to missions.

Again, with one or two exceptions, missions pastors are very committed to missions as a high priority in their local church. Some of the missions pastors related to me significant and powerful personal experiences in missions that pointed them to what they are doing now. Some wept when they told me how God had changed their hearts and how important their work is. In four cases, the missions pastors were also the executive ministers of the church they served. All were pro-missions, and most were passionately so.

________ “”C.D.

 

1Robert J. Priest, Douglas Wilson, and Adelle Johnson, “U.S. Megachurches and New Patterns of Global Mission,” International Bulletin of Missionary Research, Vol. 34, Issue 2, 97-104.