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Alan: “First of all, no mission organisation has a money tree. Some had investments, but since
the 2008 crash interest rates have been atrocious. Most investments are merely reserved funds
allocated for a specifi c purpose; they are not for operating expenses or missionary salaries. Also,
people used to support missions as organisations, but don’t anymore.

The only evangelical mission organisations that pay salaries to their missionaries are some of the
denominational missions, the biggest of which is the Southern Baptist Convention. They raise vast
sums of money through their Lottie Moon fund-raising drive at Christmas and use that to fund all
of their foreign mission operations. However, increasing numbers of denominational missions now
require their missionaries to raise their own funds. Since the 1960s the faith missions, (i.e. those
interdenominational missions like SIM, Mission Africa, and Wycliffe where missionaries have
always had to raise their support), have pioneered a system where missionaries have to raise
their needed funds before they leave.”

Melanie: “So how do you work out how much money is needed, and how many supporters
you need?

Alan: “Calculating missionary support includes several different factors. There is an administrative
charge which allows missions to pay home offi ce operating expenses. Different mission societies
set these at different levels depending on their priorities. Some charge a fl at percentage and leave
their missionaries to do most of their own admin, while others provide more services and charge
annually budgeted fees.”

Bill: “So why does anyone go out with the more expensive missions when they could do the
same work more cheaply with another mission?”

Alan: “Some folks may be quite self-reliant, while others need more support and help.
Different organisations have different cultures and theological emphases. We hope that each
missionary fi nds herself in an organisation where they feel valued and accepted – a good fi t, as it
were. Also, while missions may often recruit from the same pool, often their work overseas can be
quite different. In colonial times each mission had its own area of operations, so there was little
overlap. Today those distinctions often remain, and people feel called to work in different areas
or in different ministries where other missions aren’t present. And of course, missionaries vary in
talent, experience and interest in the jobs available.”

Patrick: “What about George Mueller’s approach of just praying the money in without
any publicity?”

Alan: “Well historians think that Mueller (a 19th century Brethren leader who ran orphanages
in the Bristol area) had a way of letting people know when he needed funds. Secondly, when it
comes to fi nances, it pays to be as transparent as possible. One mission has a motto,
‘Full information without solicitation.’ In other words, don’t beg, but keep people informed so
they can make their own decisions before the Lord.

Returning to Melanie’s earlier question, costs of living and infl ation rates differ between countries,
and between cities and rural areas. Expenses also vary between different types of ministry.
Someone seeking to evangelise the wealthy people in parts of Lagos, Nigeria will need more funds
than someone starting a rural church in the Philippines. And of course, families cost more to send
overseas than single people do once you factor in all their costs. Finally, missionaries, like anyone
else, need to put money aside for pensions, children’s university fees etc. So, there will be no set
fi gure; each missionary family unit will be different, albeit within some general guidelines.”