I don’t usually start a blog post with an “I’m sorry” . . . but I’m not above it.
I offer my sincere and heartfelt apologies to anyone who clicked on this link looking for a solid, definitive answer. I don’t have one . . . but maybe you do so I would love to engage in the conversation.
Here’s the scenario:
Young couple. Just had a baby. Know that they know that they know (or at least think that they know) that God has called them to live and work overseas. They’re willing to do the due diligence. Hit the road. Raise support. “Develop partners”.
Everything lines up with the org they’re applying to. Good fit theologically. Passed the psych evaluation. References check out.
But.
They have debt.
And so . . . rejected.
Here’s the question:
Should debt be an automatic disqualifier (or postponer) for missionary deployment?
I want to be careful here.
If you’re like me you probably have a visceral reaction. “Absolutely it should” or “No. Absolutely not” but I dare you to try to argue for the other side (whichever side you land on) if for no other reason than to see from a different perspective.
It’s a two handed issue.
On the one hand, you have qualified, clearly called, willing and able candidates who have been duped into a system that says, “we won’t send you unless you have a degree” and “we won’t give you a degree unless you pay us ridiculous amounts of money” and “the only way you can realistically get that money is to borrow it” and “now that you have borrowed it . . . we won’t send you.”
On the other hand, you have supporters giving hard earned money for the sake of the Kingdom. They want return on investment and frankly paying off someone else’s bad decisions doesn’t qualify.
On the one hand, saying, “get a job and pay down your debt first” may make it harder for people to quit that job five or ten years down the line once they have settled into a certain lifestyle. We might lose them.
On the other hand if they are really called . . .
On the one hand, debt is a heavy weight to carry when you’re adjusting to an already stressful, cross-cultural life.
On the other hand, so is a newborn baby or a new marriage, or a new language, or EVERYTHING ELSE IN YOUR WORLD.
On the one hand the Bible and Dave Ramsey say certain things about debt.
On the other hand do past choices make you ineligible for future service?
On the one hand I support you because I believe in you.
On the other hand I support you so I’ve earned an opinion in your finances.
On the one hand God is patient and His mission is timeless. We can wait.
On the other hand . . . last days and urgency. Hurry up.
On the one hand stewardship.
On the other hand respect.
On the one hand school debt. Like Bible college. Jesus degrees.
On the other hand credit cards. Car payments. Couldn’t afford pizza one night so . . .
It’s not an easy topic. There are multiple angles to consider.
So consider away.
What has been your experience?
Where do you land on the issue?
Can you see the other side?
Comment below . . . I look forward to learning something.