An Indian Perspective on Dependency and Missions (Part 1)

Editor’s note: Missiologist Craig Ott warns against supporting pastors in foreign countries. The pitfalls are many. We asked Vijay Meesala, an Indian ministry leader who solicits support for pastors, to weigh in.

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I once received an email that read:

Hello Vijay,

…As for more churches and organizations for support… I will think and pray and let you know if any come to mind. However, I would also like to ask you if you have done your best to invite local churches in your area to contribute to your ministry. Please don’t be offended by this question…. But I want you and the churches of your area to experience the blessing and testimony of 2 Corinthians 8:1-5.

Here is how I responded:

These following reflections are my general thoughts on the issue of dependency and the Western Church. This gives me an opportunity to share my heart. Correct me if I am wrong, and we can continue to discuss this matter. In fact your email made me prayerfully reflect on this issue of dependency. I might state some sweeping generalizations, so please forgive me for that. I am willing to dialogue, and likewise learn from you. Thanks.

Surely, from your experiences you must have seen many examples where the Church in India and other parts of the world seek help from the West. I have also seen this. It is true in many cases that help is sought from the churches in the West, but I believe that does not mean there is practically no support given or raised from the local churches. I think this is seriously misunderstood.

2 Corinthians 8:1-5—1 We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, 2 for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. 3 For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, 4 begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— 5 and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.

I’m sure that the Church in India is not different from churches elsewhere. They do give to God’s work. I am 100% sure that many of the churches in India are not receiving support from the West and are not surviving only because of the help from the West. Indian churches do raise support locally for various things in small and big measures. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the Church in India experiences the joy of 2 Corinthians 8:1-5 maybe even more than most of the churches in the West. 

From my experience with some of our churches in some villages, believers support the church and pastor by bringing a glass of rice, a chicken or egg or some small amount of money, which is all they have. Secondly, I only came to the US in 2005 for the first time and I have been receiving some support from the US since October 2006. But I can testify to the ministry of our churches around me in India that they didn’t have any support from outside, yet they still existed, survived, and gave birth to new congregations with the support of local churches. They did God’s work in their own capacity just like it says in 2 Corinthians 8:1-5. This happens with most of the churches in India, which is very encouraging.

Regarding our own ministry experience with Reach All Nations — my father, with the support of God and local churches, could establish about 30 churches without any support from West. His support has been less than $5 per month. And I could give you many other examples similar to this.

“Regarding our own ministry experience with Reach All Nations — my father, with the support of God and local churches, could establish about 30 churches without any support from West. His support has been less than $5 per month. And I could give you many other examples similar to this.”

Here is an example of an average believer’s financial situation (of a farming village) and the contributions to church and mission work:

Average members in the family: 6-8

Average annual income (approximately) : 36000 – 50000 ($860 – $1190)

(Exchange Rate: $1 USD to 42 INR)

The contribution to Church and Mission work per year:

This table explains that the village church believers give to the church, pastor, and mission work more than they could afford, and they give it even from great poverty. That is such a joyful thing. If the churches were bigger, the missionary or the pastor would be receiving enough to support the family in an average means, but it is still not sufficient. If the churches were smaller, then the missionary and pastor would have a very difficult time taking care of the needs of the family. In spite of these insufficient income difficulties, they continue to serve the Lord. Praise the Lord for this.

Part Two is found here.