I was talking to a missionary friend of mine who is involved in what is one of the largest Evangelical Churches in the Philippines. He mentioned something interesting to me that I did not know. He said that that particular church was founded by missionaries but those particular missionaries specifically made a point of not funding the church with mission money. In other words, the planted church was required to be financially self-sufficient from the beginning. Apparently the church struggled early because of this. However, as noted, it is now one of the most successful Evangelical Churches in the Philippines (and, arguably, the world).

I do think there is a relationship between the start of that church and its success now is very relevant. I have seen churches that were dependent on missionaries (in terms of finances and leadership) succeed… but it is not that common. One large successful church was set up by a missionary I knew. It was doing great…. until a conflict happened between the missionary family and the local leaders. It got so bad that the church split. Eventually the missionary died but that did not make the problems go away. Missionaries don’t last forever and their funding does not last forever. Another successful church in my area is still run and funded by foreign missionaries. The top leadership is foreign and that position is transferred to other foreign leaders. Is that bad? Not necessarily I suppose, but it is like keeping a person on life support. As soon as the equipment breaks down or the electricity ceases, the person is in a dire state. Churches cannot rely on outside support forever, and a failure to empower local leaders will likely create dissent, breakdowns and lack of informed innovation. I know a denomination that has been in the Philippines for the better part of a century, but whose leader of work in the Philippines has been local for less than 10 years. Has that had a negative effect on their work? Looking at this denomination, while there is much I admire with it, it does feel very foreign (from a Filipino perspective) in some ways.

My greater experience is with Bible Schools and Seminaries. A lot of these in the Philippines were founded by missionaries. Many of them are still essentially run and funded from overseas. One seminary I have some connection with is really struggling in this post-COVID era. The leader is foreign and has resisted making changes that make sense locally. Its survival is truly in doubt. And I get that. I am part of a seminary here in the Philippines. It is making sizable changes that I probably would not do if I was in charge. However, it is most certainly good that I am not in charge. The changes are driven by local necessities in terms of relationship to prospective students, alumni, and other local entities. Local leadership gives authority, responsibility, and accountability to the people most invested in the local school in their local community.

Another school I have some connection with was founded and funded by missionaries for decades. Then over a ten year period it transitioned to local leadership, local teachers, and (mostly) local funding. I recall talking with people a couple of decades ago, when the school was going through this transition. Some people were looking forward to the transition. However, many thought the school would fail. Other’s thought that another foreign denomination or mission organization would come in and take over. I can’t help but think that these negative feelings of local leadership sprang from a bit of a Can’t-Do (post-colonial) perspective. It is good that that particular school has survived the transition and is arguably strong than it was when it was under foreign control.

From a personal standpoint, it seems like we have been able to do much more with less. Money sometimes undermines creativity and partnerships. Interdependency is better than dependency or independency.

Money is power, and power is not neutral. It is not necessarily bad to fund and rule… early on. But the cost of doing it long-term is potentially far more than money.