Reporting on the Work

by Gary McBride
1993 Preacher’s Study Notes
It is not always easy to say how a report should be written because the contents can be so varied. I do not want to appear negative or adversely distance anyone; however, it is sometimes easier to explain what is not needed. This is also from the perspective of a sponsoring congregation that has informational requirements to coordinate and manage a foreign work.

A columnist’s editor once boasted that he could condense the entire New Testament to a single paragraph. When challenged to do so, he said, “Jesus was born. He lived. He died. He is coming back and He is not going to be happy.” What the editor gave us was the essence but it leaves us wanting. It is tempting to eliminate what we as writers consider mundane or common-place. Those same details to the reader become important and meaningful. Luke, the consummate historian, writes in Acts 27 and 28 of the Apostle Paul’s journey to Rome. For example, he relates the facts of the great storm and ultimate shipwreck. He explains the soundings that were taken and the number of anchors from the stern of the ship. Luke tells of the battering the ship took and its final breakup. Rather than just saying that it was a difficult and arduous journey, he graphically relates just how trying it became. This gives us a clear understanding of a time, place, and culture that we cannot experience.

In the same way, detailed reports are required from the fields because we cannot experience a foreign work firsthand. It is also important to note that Luke did not attempt to relate to Theophilus every incident that occurred in the spreading of the Gospel. He did choose (through the guidance of the Holy Spirit) those that would best illustrate the sense of life in the first century Roman Empire. Foreign lands and cultures can be as different (possibly more so) than first century Rome is from twentieth century America. It is simply not possible to assess the needs and goals, as well as provide the proper support of a mission work, without an understanding of everyday life.

Goals and objectives should be reported on regularly. Objectives should be agreed on by the congregation and the evangelist prior and during the term of the work. It is the responsibility of the evangelist to inform us as to the status of these agreed upon goals. Which are completed? Which are incomplete or in process? Are some on hold or simply cannot be accomplished? Some objectives may have to be reconsidered and some may just be ambitious. However, the sponsoring congregation must be kept informed. It is also important that the evangelist have his own short-term goals of how to best accomplish the overall objectives. These should also be made known and progress record as well.

No press releases, please. A press release contains only the positive side of a story: Even negative news is portrayed in a positive light. It is not always pleasant to be the bearer of bad news but you can be assured the messenger will not be shot. To effectively understand the work, a congregation must see the failures as well as the accomplishments. Paul had his defeats. For example, his attempt to evangelize Athens failed miserably. One of the tenets of Christian apologetics against biblical criticism is that the New Testament reveals both the positive and negative of its subjects. In other words, one of the reasons why the New Testament is not just a piece of fiction written to support Christianity is the portrayal of the weaknesses and failures of its characters, It is inarguable that things do not always go as planned. Situations arise (weather, vehicle, government, culture, people problems) and if a congregation is effectively apprised, then I believe you will find a much more supportive congregation. We are well aware that goals, once enunciated, will not always be accomplished. A congregation can then help support, assess, and reevaluate. There may be a need to re-prioritize the objectives. There may be another way to achieve it. It may in fact prove to be unrealistic. These are decisions that must be made, but not without proper information, whether good or bad.

A congregation’s decision-making ability depends on regular and timely reports from the field. This cannot be stressed enough. All that has been said concerning reporting is useless the reports are rare. A monthly report may not seem like an important function, yet in most cases it is the primary, detailed informational link between the evangelist and the congregation. A lot can happen in a month an it is not asking too much for a report every thirty days. It should also be noted that many congregations support a foreign work and it is, at the very least, our right that they be advised (possibly in a more general report) on a regular basis of that work; work that would not exist without their contributions.

1828 N. W 1 77th, Edmond, Oklahoma 73034.