Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 8
Marvin insisted indigenous churches won’t “just spring out of nowhere,” requiring “focus” and “planning,” so that locals are trained and “aren’t reliant on us as expats”; where might modern missions unintentionally create dependency, and what specific choices would prevent that from the beginning?
Another way to ask: Marvin said local churches won’t grow without planning and training, so people won’t depend on expats. How can missions accidentally create dependency, and what choices from the start would help prevent it?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript suggests dependency happens when expatriates remain necessary for leadership and ministry, so preventing it requires intentional planning to train and equip local leaders from the start.
- Marvin says indigenous churches require “a lot of intentionality” and won’t “just spring out of nowhere.”
- He adds it takes “focus… planning,” even while admitting “all plans are fluid.”
- The stated goal is that “local leaders are trained and equipped to minister to their own people.”
- He gives the reason: so that when “in the next 10, 15 years, when our work is done, they aren’t reliant on us as expats.”
- Earlier he frames their work as including “church planting” and “discipling,” implying leadership development is part of the core mission, not an optional add-on.