He Must Increase, But I Must Decrease (1)
This article examines the crucial transition phase in missionary work, using John the Baptist's example (John 3:30) to illustrate how established mission churches should mature into independent, sister-church relationships with their founding churches. Smit argues that this transition—where local church leadership assumes full ecclesiastical duties and missionary presence diminishes—is not only expected but essential for healthy, sustainable mission work, as exemplified in the PRCA's Philippine missions and the apostle Paul's labors.
Among other significant parts and stages in mission work, there is this one, which ought not to be overlooked, namely, that of transition. John the Baptist experienced the reality of it and confessed his response to it in the words of John 3:30, quoted as the title for this article. The apostles experienced it. Preachers experience it when moving from one congregation to another. Faithful missionaries and their calling churches have experienced it. In fact, in the PRCA foreign mission labors...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org