Should Missionaries Talk Politics?

When I log into my social media accounts over half of what I see has to do with U.S. politics - and I'm a Canadian with mostly Canadian friends. Honestly, no one needs more political posts, so why even ask the question about whether missionaries should engage in political speech? I'm glad you asked!

To start off with, here are a few reasons missionaries often choose to not engage in their home countries' political debates.

1. We want to unite, not divide.

We believe that the work we're doing is of utmost importance and we want to bring people together to be a part of that. We do not wish to alienate anyone.

2. Offended people stop giving.

This is something of an "elephant in the room" when we talk to supporters. Our livelihood depends upon ministry partners - usually 50-100 everyday people - who give regular donations to pay our salaries. In a polarized society we literally cannot afford to tell someone something they don't want to hear.

(Side note: you're more likely to see right-wing political speech from missionaries than left-wing, not because missionaries are necessarily more conservative but because, by and large, conservatives give more. Make of that what you will.)

3. We don't know where to start.

Cross-cultural missionaries often see the world through very different lenses as a result of our time overseas. Consequently, it's often difficult to even get to a starting position where we can understand each other. It's often easier just to let it go.

These are (in my ever-so-humble opinion) entirely valid reasons to keep our noses out of certain topics. However, here are a few reasons why missionaries should consider breaking their silence.

1. Our unique experience gives us a unique perspective.

In a debate about whether to allow refugees from Country A, would a perspective from someone in your own culture who has lived there and interacted with those people add value? It seems like a no-brainer but it feels like the missionary position* is often too quickly dismissed.
*snicker snicker

2. We are not "missionaries from" but "missionaries between".

We are not meant to simply represent the values of whatever our home culture is; this applies just as much to missionaries within their home country as outside of it. We are not vessels through which the values of those who send us flow to those who receive; we are bridges between people and cultures.

3. An issue becoming "political" shouldn't put it off-limits.

One of my biggest frustrations is that everything gets lumped into "conservative" and "liberal" positions. Whole issues are swallowed up, so if you take any sort of position on that issue you are perceived as buying into the whole package. That's utter nonsense. Missionaries are intimately familiar with issues pertaining to their work and we should not need to keep silent simply because that issue has been adopted by any one political group.

Just a few things to think about.

Peace,

Theo