Are Independent Baptist missionaries undirected? It seems that the opportunity for great miscarriage of Biblical practice could be in the offing when missionaries go "independent." Now why would I say this and still hold an independent position? I do believe that the local Baptist church is God's missions "agent," and that all ministries should be out of a within a local Baptist church. But when a missionary is "under" a board he is "overseen" as to doctrine, policy, practice, morals, family and ministry. Many (far too many) missionaries who go Independent or who are independent and lack a missions director are not overseen. They are truly "independent," independent of pastoring, of nurturing, of discipline, of counsel, etc. Somehow I do not believe this should be. I'm wondering how a missionary can truly be receiving oversight only when they are on furlough and/or VIA phone, letters, E-mail, etc. I've visited seven foreign mission fields personally, some several times, and have seen several things which I do not believe that sound pastors would practice themselves nor would approve of a missionary out of their church practicing. But I know of several independent/unaffiliated pastors who have one or more missionaries homed out of their churches who have not once visited that missionary family on his field. Some have been on a field several years and they've not been visited by their pastor. If this is "independent" Baptist missions I question it. Would it not seem proper pastoring to visit each mission of our church? Wouldn't it seem a noble and necessary area to purposely budget funds - for airline tickets for Mr. and Mrs. Pastor (at least Mr. Pastor) to visit each missionary "homed" in their church? Our church has even given thought to not supporting or continuing the support of any missionary who has been on a mission field four years or more and his pastor has not visited him.
Again I ask: are Independent Baptist missionaries undirected? This preacher would be interested in knowing just how many unaffiliated/independent Baptist missionaries there are who have been on their respective fields more than four years and their pastor has NOT personally visited them. I hate to say it but in my opinion just being the "sponsoring church" is not enough. I'm wondering if a church and pastor should take on such a responsibility if they do not have the means, ability or desire to visit their missionaries. Is this worth thinking on?