Only in the world of Christian missions can a person’s only qualification for the job be that they are “called”—a self-appointed, self-anointed calling. A healthy amount of confidence and drive are a prerequisite for most ventures that push into the unknown, but a headstrong person aiming for the mission field will do well to heed Proverbs 12:15, “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”
In any serious work, we are right to expect prospective candidates to have personal and professional qualifications that have been tested by experience. For missionary candidates, a Spirit-given calling must be grounded in the power of a transformed life, affirmed by gifting, and confirmed by their church. Too often overlooked in Gospel ministry is the importance of connecting calling with aptitude and accountability. This is an old issue—not a recent phenomenon—and is summarized in Paul’s instructions to Timothy to “not be hasty in the laying on of hands.” In the following excerpts from William Carey’s letters to his mission board’s leadership, the “Father of Modern Missions” shows that qualifications and character for missionaries has long been something to value and expect.
Critical to success in any endeavor is the quality of personnel assigned the job. Carey recognized this from the start and informed the Society of preferred missionary characteristics. The task required people of good morals able to endure the rigors of life in India. A humble nature, which does not seek ease or selfish goals, ranked also close to the top of Carey’s list of missionary qualities.
Carey to Ryland, Bandel, Dec. 26, 1793
It will be very important to missionaries to be men of calmness and evenness of temper, and rather inclined to suffer hardships than to court the favour of Men and such who will be indefatigably employed in the Work set before them, an inconstancy of mind being quite injurious to that Work.
Carey to Society, Dec. 28, 1796, Hooghly River
Let the missionaries be possessed of Gifts such as are not despicable; but perhaps the gift of utterance or rather eloquence may be accounted at present one of the best; a readiness to communicate knowledge to others; inward Godliness, meekness, and Zeal, are the principal, but headlong rashness either in speaking, judging, or acting as if it predominates should determine the Society to reject such. If they are acquainted with any trades, especially of the more necessary kind; and particularly the business of Husbandry it will be a great advantage.
Carey to Fuller, Oct. 4, 1809
I understand by a letter from Dr. Taylor that the London Missionary Society have sent out two persons to the Burman empire and that they are at the Cape of Good Hope waiting for a passage to India. I am very sorry they should have acted so unlovely a part as to try to enter into other men’s labours. I wish you send out men to begin new Missions in the countries around. I now think of Nepal, Tibet, Assam, Annam, Pegu, Siam, Cambodia, Laos. Malaysia, and Cochin China. I trust that men will by degrees be raised up here who will carry the gospel in one way or another all over India. Bro. Robinson has been designed for Bantam & Tibet now nearly two years, but I am quite discouraged at his delays. I believe he is strongly inclined to stay at Calcutta, where his abilities as an English preacher are (he thinks) acceptable, but the truth is Bro. R. fears dangers and his imagination creates a thousand dangers where not one exists. Brothers Marshman & Ward are quite discouraged at his excuses and delays and have nearly given over all hopes of him. The truth is he might have engaged in the work two years ago, had it not been for his fears. Our brothers say, his covetousness also, but I hope that is not the cause. He and his wife have lately been heavily afflicted; and I have still doubts whether hers will not terminate in consumption. As to Bro. Moore, I have no hope that he ever will do anything, he knows nothing yet of the language, nor ever tries to acquire it. Indolence and a thirst for European society are his bane. In other respects his conduct is consistent, but as to the Mission he is nothing but the name of a Missionary.
Carey to Sutcliffe, Aug. 18, 1812
Missionaries must go into the country. Indigo manufacturers do. Military officers do, and it is probable that a military officer, not to mention a private, suffers more real privation and encounters more dangers than a missionary will in his whole life.
Excerpts from The Journal and Selected Letters of William Carey, collected and edited by Terry G. Carter (Macon, Georgia: Smyth & Helwys Publishing, 2000) 132-134.