Missionomics: The Exchange of Goods and Services in Mission

Types of Exchanges in ScriptureSpiritual exchange: Matt. 16:26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? Social exchange: 2 Cor. 6:11-13: We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange--I speak as to my children--open wide your hearts also.Economic exchange: 2 Cor. 12:14-15: Now I am ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. 15 So I will very gladly spend for you everything I have and expend myself as well. If I love you more, will you love me less?

Philemon: Social Capital Exchange

8: I could order you (but I’m old and in prison!)9-16: Once useless, Onesimus is now useful

I wanted to keep himI did not want to do it without your consent—that way your favor will be spontaneousPerhaps he was separated to become a brother in Christ

17-22: If I am your partner, welcome him as you would welcome me!

Charge to me any wrong doing he has done(But the, you do owe me your self!)I do wish to have some benefit from you—I know you’ll do even more than I ask

Types of “Capital” in Philemon 1:8-22

Economic Social Spiritual LinkingCharge it to me (18)I will pay it back (19)Prepare a guest room for me (22)

I appeal to you on the basis of love (9)He has become useful to you and me (11)Your favor will be spontaneous (14)If you consider me a partner (17)I know you will do more than I ask (21)

He is my very heart (12)I am in chains for the gospel (13)You can have him back for good—as a brother, not a slave (16)You owe me your very self (19)I may have benefit from you in the Lord (19)I hope to be restored in answer to your prayers (22)

He could take your place in helping me (13)He is dear to me, but even more to you (17)

Global Economic Patterns

From colonialism

. . . to nationalism

. . . to globalized “flattening”

“It has been said that arguing against globalization is like arguing against the laws of gravity.” (Kofi Annan)

“A conquered nation is like a man with cancer: he can think of nothing else.” (George Bernard Shaw)

Missionomics: “Eras” of Missional Globalization

MG 1.0 (1492–1791; Catholics + early Protestant efforts [Moravians])MG 2.0 (1792–1910; Catholics + Protestant denominations and agencies)MG 3.0 (1911 to ~1974; Catholics + Protestant agencies + ecumenical organizations [from WCC to WEA to LCWE] + parachurch groups)MG 4.0 (~1974 to present; Catholics + Protestant agencies + ecumenical organizations + parachurch groups + migratory missionaries + majority world agencies and groups)

Adapted in part from Thomas Friedman, The World Is Flat

Missionomics: Driving Ideologies

From Christianization and colonial benevolence . . .

. . . to massive evangelism schemes

. . . to “holistic transformation”

campaigns

“. . . the West spent $2.3 trillion on foreign aid over the last five decades and still had not managed to get twelve-cent medicines to children to prevent half of all malaria deaths.”

(Easterly, The White Man’s Burden, 4)

Gapminder: Statistics Made Visually

Missionomics: Funding

Start with generous benefactors, churches and individuals

. . . add in generous individuals and charitable

foundations

. . . Include self-sustaining individual missionaries

Factoid: The total reported income for overseas mission through US Protestant Agencies was $5.2 billion in 2005. McDonalds’ had total sales revenue just over $19 billion the same year.

$2,839,680,000

$2,884,214,342

$3,514,056,955

$4,138,043,270

$5,241,632,384

$0

$1,000,000,000

$2,000,000,000

$3,000,000,000

$4,000,000,000

$5,000,000,000

$6,000,000,000

1992 1996 1998 2001 2005

Income Reported for Overseas Ministries

Inflation-adjusted income for overseas ministries grew from $2.9 billion in 1992 to $5.2 billion in 2005 (up 84.6%)

26.6%

38.2%

73.4%

16.9%

2.7%

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

80.0%

Evangelism/Discipleship

Education/Training Mission AgencySupport

Relief andDevelopment

Other

Increase in Overseas Income by Activity Category

From 2001 to 2005, the real increase of income of agencies whose primary activity was related to evangelism and discipleship was 2.7%, while those whose primary activity was related to relief and development increased by 73.4%.

Missionomics: Contextualization

From one-way “Christianizing”

. . . to one-way indigenizing

. . . to two-way contextualizing?

Missionomics: Let’s Be Honest!

Missionaries are usually far wealthier than they think they are

EconomicallySociallySpiritually“Linkingly”

Mission agencies are volunteer organizationsIt is important that we be more honest with ourselves than we tend to be!

Missionomic ImplicationsGlobalization and “Orientation”

What assumptions drive our globalized partnerships: • Bang for the buck? • The value of outsourcing? • “Free missional trade”?

Window shopping for the best “partner buy”Driving Ideologies

To what extent does White Man’s Burden still drive our partnership agendas?In our partnerships are we trying to be planners or searchers?

• Are we donor driven, task driven, or relationship driven? Who (or what) is the real “client”?

Our pragmatic emphasis on keys, steps, and methodsFunding Methods

How far will the current shifting go?BAM models and venturesWhat is the impact of migratory missionaries?