But is it safe...for those to whom we go to serve?

We have written here before about safety and concerns that missionaries have in going overseas and facing unfamiliar dangers. In this post we bring up another issue related to safety that is oft overlooked.

The other day I was talking to a member of an RP church about a field that we are currently exploring. While talking about this she asked me, “Is it safe?” I immediately went to challenge mode as I assumed her question was about whether or not it was safe to send missionaries to this place for this type of ministry. If you want to see me on a soapbox, ask me that question!

But, to my surprise, she stopped me. “No, is it safe for the people there?” I’m pretty sure this was the first time someone had asked me about whether or not our ministry in a place was safe for the people we were going to serve as opposed to the safety of those we were sending. While both questions are valid (if asked with the right frame of mind and theological mindset) the first one is a harder one to answer and is less often considered. But it is the job of those of us who send to consider both the safety of our missionaries and the safety of those we are sending missionaries to serve.

I have often see people posting things on social media where those who are posting are doing so from the safety of their American living room while what they are posting is putting others far away at risk—identifying them via video as part of a subversive movement or naming locations of activities that were not sanctioned by their governments. While this is typically done with the intent to help raise awareness it is often an irresponsible act.

But how much more do we put people at risk by showing up in a country with our white skin and blue passports, bringing increased scrutiny upon everyone we interact with? These are questions we must ask and answer before we send laborers abroad.

The phrase “Do No Harm” comes to mind. But I’d like to change that to “Do No Unnecessary Harm.” Do no harm seems to imply that we must be risk adverse. Adding the word “unnecessary” reminds us that we are at war spiritually. In a battle—be it spiritual or physical—there is harm, there is risk, there are things that are done that would not be done in times of peace. But in both cases, those who are fighting with integrity will avoid creating situations that bring undue harm and unrest.

First, we must remember that Christ crucified is a stumbling block for those steeped in folly (1 Cor. 1:23) and there is no need for us to create additional stumbling blocks. Leviticus 19:14 tells us that, “You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the LORD.”

Second, we must also consider those who are already brothers and sisters. If we are serving in a land where persecution of believers is a risk, it is our job to support and encourage and follow their lead, not draw undue or premature attention on them bringing unnecessary risk and scrutiny.

So, does this mean we shouldn’t go to places where there is potential for us to do harm? No! In fact, most unreached regions on this planet of ours are regions where the potential of harm is great. Instead we must be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matt 10:16). We must go in with our eyes open. We must be learners first. And we must seek to build bridges by finding those men and women of peace who can open doors for the gospel of peace to be proclaimed in order to open the eyes of the blind and the ears of the deaf who are the elect ones of our Father.

Please pray for RP Global Missions as we seek to do no unnecessary harm to our missionaries, their families, those they are serving alongside, and those they have been sent to serve.