Anglican Archbishop: Funding Missionaries is Pointless

I know denominations based in the Midwest have always been big in sending missionaries to other countries. Southern Baptists also send them. Catholics spill money around the globe trying to make converts. 

The Anglican Archbishop points out the model or narrative of Western Christian groups sending white missionaries to start churches and hold large rallies is very outdated. When a Christian group says, "We're coming to convert your people to a real religion which will save their souls" the host country hears, "We're coming to Westernize your country, change your government, mine your minerals and enrich ourselves." Countries no longer see missionaries as "friends."

I've read there are loud complaints in the Southern Baptist Convention about paying for its missionary program. It sends three or more employees to countries to establish one church--often without success.

I've been watching You Tube videos by preachers in the Lutheran Missouri Synod. These are preachers criticize the current administration but try to avoid getting into trouble. They point indirectly at the administration's inability to produce many preachers who would in turn start churches in the U.S. The words they use are, "The United States is the largest mission field in the world." They never say, "Funds should be redirected from foreign missionaries to domestic preachers" even though that's what they mean. 

My own family has had two missionaries in its history. One started a congregation with a new building in China. A cousin went to find the church recently and found a factory in the building.

As a farm boy I recall our church requesting money to pay for missionaries. It sounded like such a good idea--people in other counties could have a nice church like ours. Now we hear of Christians being tortured and killed in other countries. Is this happening because we sent missionaries there?

The time has come for Christians to realize their faith's image as a force for good is gone. It is no longer seen as a "beacon of hope." Leaders who accept donations from church members and spend them starting churches in other countries should reflect on the ethics of taking this money. Members would get more from their money at Starbucks every Sunday morning.