This Hurts! Personnel Cutbacks at the IMB
Friday, June 19, 2009 at 8:51AM Many of you who know Elise and I are aware that we are serving in a bit different role for the IMB. We serve personnel in 7 countries now and are humbled and honored to do so. In recent days, this has meant helping lead us through the reality of personnel cutbacks. People are not being laid-off, but not appointed as quickly and some programs have been suspended. It has a great impact on our European teams in two ways:
1. Teams develop strategies based on how to best reach their people. This normally involves some mixture of cooperating with local Baptists, working with other mission groups, and developing an IMB team. The last element of that is now in jeopardy. If no new people can be appointed through the journeyman, ISC, or Masters programs, our teams will have to change strategy. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but is certainly disappointing.
2. People on the field in the ISC, journeyman, and Masters programs have always had an option, if approved by their supervisor, to extend for another year, ISCers could turn around to become career personnel, or they could "re-up" to another term. Now, that option seems to be in doubt. The impact on these people is very difficult. When the board of trustees made the decision to suspend these programs, we were left with the reality of people leaving the field in ten weeks, unless an extension was granted. Thankfully, those extension were granted. But, a new round is coming this fall, and then early next year, and then...
These cutbacks hurt. Real people, called by God to go are not being sent by our sending agency. I am not laying blame on anyone. The board of trustees had few options. We have 5,700 or so people on the field and money for a few hundred less than that. Still it hurts.
Below are a few links which discuss the state of Southern Baptist life today. These authors don't agree with each other, but I think a consensus is reached between them. We need a fresh touch of revival in our midst. It is a good thing that God is patient and loves us so much.
Pray for Elise and I to have wisdom as we lead and serve during these days. Pray for missionaries to be able to keep their hands to the plow despite the economic hardships right now. Pray for a fresh wind of revival to renew our hearts and focus our churches on the transforming power of the gospel throughout the world.
Reader Comments (5)
You said, "Real people, called by God to go are not being sent by our sending agency." Aren't these separate issues? Does the sending agency decide who goes and who doesn't go, or does God decide? If God calls someone to go, then that person should not allow a "sending agency" to determine whether or not they go. There are an infinite number of options, one of those is the option that Paul chose - get a job that supports yourself and others.
-Alan
I am not sure I get your point about these being separate issues. Only one issue: God called people from SBC churches not being sent by the IMB. Not meaning at all they are not being sent or, as you suggest, going on their own. And, of course, a sending agency could never decide who goes, only who they could support in that sending process. I think we are on the same page on this.
Trey
I'll try to explain the distinction using your statement: "God called people from SBC churches not being sent by the IMB". God calls. God sends. God provides.
If there are people who are not going because the IMB is not sending them, the problem is NOT between the sent person and the IMB or SBC churches. The problem is between the sent person and God.
Can God use the IMB to provide for someone? Yes. He can and he has in the past, and perhaps he will in the future. However, in SBC life today, many equate "God sending and providing" with "IMB sending and providing". These are two different issues.
Notice that in your article you assume that since the IMB is not sending people, then there will be less people going. Yet, you also say that there are people that God is sending that the IMB cannot afford to send. It seems like there are many people that are waiting for the IMB to send them instead of following God's call to go. If God calls, then go... whether the IMB helps or not.
-Alan
You say, "Notice that in your article you assume that since the IMB is not sending people, then there will be less people going." I don't notice that at all. I don't believe the IMB is the only sending agency or that God has to have the IMB to accomplish His work. I am thankful for the good work that has historically happened through the IMB; past performance is no guarantee for the future. Maybe you can help me see that one, and I certainly apologize for giving an impression of something I don't believe.
You also say, "many equate God sending and providing with IMB sending and providing." I hear of these people, but don't know them. I am guessing that they must be traditional SBCers in the US, where I have not lived for almost 20 years. Most of my colleagues work with partners sent by other organizations, often funded by Southern Baptist churches, and we rejoice in their partnership and work. Many of our partner SBC churches also fund other workers through other means, and we rejoice in their obedience to the Great Commission, whatever form that may take.
Trey
Thanks for clarifying! I can't wait to hear stories of how God sends the people that he's called since the IMB is not providing support for as many.
-Alan