Missionary Partnership: A Brief Biblical Theology of Missions, Deputation, and Partnership

by Ben David Sinclair

Missionary Partnership provides encouragement and advice to churches and missionaries who are frustrated with the current process of sending missionaries or believe it is an inefficient process. Ben David Sinclair, DMin, conducted three national surveys of independent Baptist pastors, missionaries, and more than 40 independent Baptist missions agencies. Data representing 1,560 independent Baptist missionaries and their 95,160 supporters are included in this manual.

Sinclair desires to reduce the time missionaries spend on deputation and furlough while increasing the partnership and effectiveness of missionaries on the field. Many independent Baptist pastors want to improve their missions program but do not seem to know where to begin in revamping or restructuring the program they have.

This book has two objectives. The first objective is to help pastors and local churches by developing a biblical philosophy of missions. This philosophy will provide the principles necessary for creating a practical guide for improving the common independent Baptist mission program into a much more personal and practical sending partnership.

The second objective of this book is to reassure missionaries that deputation is biblical. Receiving support from multiple local churches and reporting to those churches on a semi-regular basis is a biblical pattern, not a manmade invention. The development and implementation of a biblical and efficient partnership model will greatly encourage missionaries while noticeably improving their deputation, partnership, and furlough ministries.

209 pages, Paperback

Published October 16, 2021

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a digital copy of this book from the author. Although we have never met in person I would consider Ben David Sinclair a friend. (It’s complicated 🙂)

Seldom do I gush over a book but I want to about this one. My mind was stretched and I’ve been helped and therefore my church has been helped also. I’ll be buying a hard copy for myself & making it available to my church people.

During my reading, I highlighted many many sections of this book. I’ll be rereading it again soon & look forward to teaching it to my people. From this I hope to change our missionary mind set.

This is a missions book but it isn’t filled with copious missions stories. It is more a treatise on how to make missionaries our true partners in reaching this world. The book is well researched and I found the results of the author’s surveys eye opening.

I have much appreciation for the Biblical foundation that was laid, the explanation of the current state of missions deputation, the illumination of some problems without torching the whole system, and then the suggestion of a better approach.

If you want some real insights from a missionary, buy this book, read this book, and use this book.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give this 6 stars if I could. Extremely good book. Ben Sinclair suggests a method of improving the current independent Baptist model of sending missionaries in a way that is extremely logical and many times more efficient.

[Paul Frederick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read some very well written reviews of this book which piqued my interest in the first place. I don't have much to add other than to applaud the author for his clearly thought out and Biblical ideas for how to improve the current Independent Baptist method of sending and supporting foreign missionaries. Sinclair put to paper many of the same thoughts I have had since entering the pastorate in regards to churches actually partnering with missionaries instead of simply supporting them. Too many churches send money but put forth little to no effort to actually be involved with the missionary or getting to know them personally. I know both sides (churches and missionaries) can and should do better. Hopefully this book will help us all to see what areas in which we can improve in order to partner with one another to promote the Gospel and plant churches throughout the world.

[Chad Delhotal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource

I found this book very informative in developing a biblical philosophy concerning missions and deputation. I hope it will be widely read and it's suggestions seriously considered by pastors in an effort to improve the way we send missionaries.

[Tom Brennan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a pastor for twenty-four years. I have been around missionaries all of my life, and led churches in supporting and encouraging missionaries now for these decades. Missionary Partnership is the best book I have ever read on the subject. It is researched, documented, organized, scriptural, clear, bold, and compelling. Written from an independent Baptist perspective and for independent Baptists, it nevertheless avoids a sectarian spirit. So often, as I read it, I found my heart beating in entrained rhythm with Sinclair's. The pages of my copy are scrawled with "good", "Amen", "aye", and "well said." In this little book, Sinclair communicates a biblical philosophy of missions that springs from a biblical theology of missions. Further, he offers wise and compassionate advice about the necessity of leading your church in the right direction. He also offers practical, helpful suggestions to aid you in so doing.

It is not often I read a book and immediately plan to buy a bunch for others to read. This is one of those rare, thought-provoking, life/ministry-changing kinds of books.

[James Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of the best resources to addressing the issues with churches supporting missionaries. The author provides a clear distinction on whether we are supporting missionaries and whether we are partnering with our missionaries. Anyone involved in missions programs in their local church should read this book.