A Goal in the Philippines (3b) Self-Supporting Churches
Daniel Kleyn examines the theological and practical principles for establishing self-supporting churches in mission contexts, particularly the Philippines, arguing that local congregations must be taught and permitted to support their own ministry and benevolence work rather than becoming dependent on external financial assistance. The article grounds this approach in biblical teaching and Reformed confessional standards, while addressing practical problems such as jealousy and spiritual complacency that arise from financial dependence. This resource provides practical missiological wisdom for establishing healthy, autonomous churches rooted in the proper exercise of believer's office and congregational responsibility.
Previous article in this series: March 15, 2013, p. 282. What is a self-supporting church? How is the goal of having such churches attained? Does this preclude all financial assistance? If not, how can we give money in such a way as to avoid dependence? Obviously a "self-supporting" church supports itself. The church supports its own ministers and ministerial training. The church supports and does its own benevolence work. The church supports its own building projects and mission work. In a...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org