Episode 9: Navigating Subsidy in Missions: Principles for Partnership | Paul Nitz

In this episode, Paul Nitz discusses the complexities of subsidy in mission work, drawing from his extensive experience and missiological insights. He defines subsidy, addresses the power dynamics it creates, and provides principles for healthy partnerships between missionaries and local churches.

Key Discussion Points:

• Definition of Subsidy: Financial support provided to a local church body from a church outside the country.

• The Problem of Power: Subsidy can create an imbalance of power between missionaries and local partners, leading to relational and political challenges.

• Cultural Differences: Cultural differences in dealing with money can complicate the use of subsidy.

• The Patron-Client Relationship: The patron-client model, while potentially useful in some cultural contexts, can create further complications in cross-cultural missions.

• Guiding Principles: Nitz argues against rigid policies of always giving or never giving subsidy. Instead, he advocates for principles like indigeneity, replication, and partnership, emphasizing that any financial support should aim to empower local ministries toward independence and sustainability.

• Humility and Listening: Nitz stresses the importance of humility, listening and learning, cultural sensitivity, and open communication in navigating subsidy.

• Gospel-Centered Perspective: Nitz suggests that a deep understanding of the gospel's light and the world's darkness helps missionaries approach the issue of subsidy with a balanced perspective.

Resources Referenced

• African Friends and Money Matters by David E. Maranz

• The Lausanne Standards

• Church Planting Movements: How God Is Redeeming a Lost World by David Garrison

Common Terms and Links on Jesus and Jetlag

• WELS = Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (wels.net)

• WLS = Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon Wisconsin (wisluthsem.org)

• Collection of Confessional Lutheran Essays

• BWM = WELS Board for World Missions

• CELC = Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference

• CICR = Commission on Inter-Church Relations of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

• Vicar = a pastoral intern in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran system

• Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly (WLQ) - A theological journal, published by Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, that aims to serve pastors and theologians with scholarly articles, book reviews, and reflections on contemporary theological and pastoral concerns.

• Pastoral Studies Institute of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary

All commentary, statements, and discussion on this podcast reflect the knowledge, insight, and experience solely of the individuals presenting and featured on the podcast.