A Missions Portfolio Investment

An astute investor in the stock market gives careful attention to the goals he wants to achieve with his investment. He forms a set of parameters by which he evaluates potential ventures in the market. He uses a strategy or a formula to select each investment and determine how much money to invest. The engaged investor monitors the ups and downs of his portfolio. Unless he is a highly speculative market player, he views his investments in terms of long-term results rather than overnight successes.

A church missions committee has many responsibilities, but one of its paramount duties is to screen and select worthy ministry investments for the church’s missions budget. In any given month, a church will receive a large number of solicitations for its missions investment. It is crucial that the church determines a set of parameters that keeps investments focused in doctrinally compatible ministries. It would be unwise for a church to invest in ministries that do not share its theological convictions and ministry philosophy.

A missions committee must see its potential for exponentially multiplying the church’s ministry influence through a wise investment strategy. Typically conventional missions investment takes the form of providing support to missionaries. This investment approach is of great value, especially when the church is the sending church or has developed close relationships with missionaries. Praise the Lord for the many missionaries who are worthy of church support!

A well-rounded investment portfolio includes thoughtful diversification. A missions portfolio should be diversified as well. An investment that is often overlooked is a Bible college or seminary. Investing in an educational ministry could be compared to contributing to a mutual fund. The money invested in a college generates hundreds of start-up ministries. Think of the many graduates who follow the Lord into vocational ministry service-what potential for eternity! Does your church’s missions portfolio evidence a thoughtful investment in enormous ministry potential such as this?

Occasionally a new opportunity in the stock market will come along that opens a new field of product development. Wouldn’t it have been great to have invested on the ground level of companies like Microsoft, Motorola, or Google! A new field of missions investment is opening to the local church that could hold huge ministry potential. Now churches in the U.S.A. are able to form direct partnerships internationally with churches of common faith and practice. As with any prospective investment, careful screening and a well-established protocol are necessary. Unscrupulous ministries will promise great results, but in reality they are investment scams. The danger exists that your church may become a get-rich-quick tool for a new ministry opportunity that projects big outcomes. Your church’s hard-earned “venture capital” could be placed in a ministry that goes belly-up.

I recommend that pastors and missions committees begin to carefully research this potential international ministry investment. You can get started by contacting Chris Hindal, your GARBC international ministries director (chindal@garbc.org or 1-888-588-1600, ext. 816). Chris would be happy to help you learn about the opportunities that exist around the globe. He will carefully direct you toward ministries that share your church’s vision and convictions. Also contact trusted missions agencies that share your vision and convictions. These agencies have a well established, trustworthy international network. Forward-thinking mission agencies recognize the potential of investment in ministries operated by nationals.

You can bring new excitement to your church’s missions efforts by seeing the potential of a creative missions investment portfolio. You will be amazed at what can happen with even a small portfolio that is wisely managed. May God multiply the influence of your church globally to His glory!

This “Active in International Outreach” challenge originates from John Greening’s ACTS vision for GARBC churches, presented at the 2006 Annual Conference.