The statement as presented (“missionaries have to raise all of their own funding on their own”) is inaccurate and, unfortunately, causes a great deal of confusion.
As with everything the LCMS does, or indeed any congregation does, the work of missionaries is made possible by people who cheerfully give. There is currently no other funding mechanism besides voluntary donations. It would be more accurate for a missionary, for example, to say, “My work is entirely dependent on God’s people joyfully and voluntarily donating as a part of their personal stewardship.”
The words “own funding” could be an attempt to convey that each missionary or missionary position has a unique LCMS account and the donations credited to that account may only be used to fund that specific position. The LCMS, operating under the regulations for good financial accounting established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, does accept gifts and offerings from contributors who wish to support one or more specific missionaries. It also maintains accounts where donations can be used only to fund missionaries, with the selection of the missionary receiving funds being made by the LCMS rather than the contributor.
The words “on their own” is also inaccurate. While it is true that our missionaries actively communicate with God’s people about their calling and work, and will even travel the U.S. to give presentations to those interested in Synod’s mission efforts, missionaries are not raising funds “all…on their own.” The more accurate way to interpret such travel is for the purpose of raising awareness of LCMS mission efforts (helping God’s people be more conscience of the good efforts taking place on their behalf) and providing direct accountability for the donations given to support LCMS missionaries. Nothing is better than being face-to-face with the missionary who is blessed by those donations and is able to answer questions directly.
But when it comes to inviting and facilitating donations, staff in LCMS Mission Advancement — including Mission Central in Mapleton, Iowa — can and DO make every effort to connect interested individuals, families, groups, and congregations to our dear missionaries through personal or group contribution. Mission Advancement personnel (like Gary Thies) are authorized to travel and give presentations about LCMS mission work and missionaries, joyfully doing so when invited. Thanks be to God, missionaries do not have to do all the work (which has a greater meaning than just fundraising) “on their own.” In fact, the primary ‘person’ doing the heavy lifting of fundraising is - the Holy Spirit.
We invite anyone who hears that “missionaries have to raise all their own funding on their own” or “I have to raise all my own funding (by myself)” to contact LCMS Mission Advancement if the response here is not sufficient to address their concerns.
Learn more about the LCMS Network Supported Missionary (NSM) model and how LCMS missionaries and mercy workers are financed.
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