Volume 56      Winter 2005      Number 4

IFMA* Leadership

Continuity, Community & Change

A few years ago the Tofflers identified “future shock” as that which happens when change occurs faster than one's ability to adapt to it. “People today,” says Alvin Toffler, “are scared silly.” As a consequence, scientifically based forecasting has become a state of the art in the profit sector—and it is assumed that this forecasting can actually affect outcome. Clients are routinely put into a state of fear; the resource consultant then explains the secret knowledge that will save them.

In the missions community, we certainly gather and use statistical and sociological data to help in the decision-making process and to affect outcome. But, hopefully we are not in a state of fear but of hope as we more closely follow in the steps of Abraham in the Old Testament. Abraham, without a country, without seeing, looked forward in faith to the future.

This contrasts with the veteran missionary, (no doubt lacking the gift of encouragement), who said to Rowland Bingham, founder of SIM, when he landed in Lagos, Nigeria on his way to the Soudan, "Young man, you will never see the Soudan; neither will your children, nor your grandchildren."¹ But Bingham did see the Soudan—and look at SIM today!

In the depth of the depression when some were pulling back, the CIM, now OMF International, asked for 200 new workers in two years—and they got them!²

By faith, Frederich Franson founded TEAM, now a worldwide ministry. By faith, AIM's Peter Cameron Scott went to Africa and today the Africa Inland Church is one of the largest on the continent. By faith, LAM’s Harry Strachan went south of the border and sparked Latin America’s explosive church growth. Likewise, by faith, Paul Fleming with no funds nor organization, saw in 1942 what is today New Tribes Mission with ministry around the globe. And if we had the luxury of more time, more hours, we could go through the faith stories of each of the IFMA member missions and glory in and be humbled by their faith beginnings and faith works.

During the 20th century, common vision and united faith steeled the IFMA missions through world wars, depressions and recessions. We experienced technological advance beginning with the transatlantic cable and moved on into this 21st Century with today's internet. “In fact, most of the innovations of 20th century missions have been influenced by the faith missions.”³

About the IFMA member missions, Ruth A. Tucker wrote, “...faith missions are among the largest missions societies in the world...and have effectively worked together in a spirit of cooperation...through the Interdenominational Foreign Mission Association (founded in 1917 to promote the growth of faith missions)...Through this joint effort the independent evangelical faith missions combine to make the most powerful missionary force the world has known.”⁴

When we think about the letters “I,” “F,” “M,” “A,” many things can come to mind. Of course, we know that the “I” in “IFMA” stands for "Interdenominational." But, when we see the great “Innovators” in the IFMA working around the world, we could claim “Innovators” for that “I.” And then when we see the prayer that goes up for each mission and its people, we are reminded of the faithful "Intercessors" who strengthen our hands.

The “F” stands for “Foreign,” which really means cross cultural—but that “F” also reminds us that we are embedded and active in “Frontiers” as we move ahead in “Faith” to do God’s work around the world.

The “M” stands for “Mission” in all of the world's 24 time zones. And that really says it all.

The “A” tells us that we are an Association—that we are an “Alliance” of unity in theological soundness and that we have high professional standards of “Accountability.”

“IFMA” stands for so much, means so much, and communicates a profile of faith-filled people who are accountable to one another and to the Lord Himself as we work in the harvest around the world.

The IFMA has set the standard for excellence, the standard for integrity. With this great heritage, the IFMA in the 21st Century, with a steeled backbone of confident faith in God and common vision continues forward. In this “flat” post 9/11 world, we must together see real needs, take risks of faith, and inspire a shared vision not only among ourselves but in our schools and in our churches.⁵ Each generation must inspire its contemporaries to see possibilities. These possibilities and ventures of faith need the stability of leadership continuity. Values must be clarified, personalized, and passed on. We learn from our predecessors, integrate, and clarify what we stand for and what we want to pass on.

Ventures of faith need a community of leadership. Sometimes we hear, “leaders walk alone.” And, this is true. But, at the same time, the IFMA is a unique community with shared values—a community of leadership in theology and missions practice. The IFMA standards are unique among missionary groups. We indeed are a professional association with high standards of compliance in a postmodern world of disintegrating values and changing norms.

With stability in leadership continuity and a community of leadership, we must also experience leadership change. Changing world conditions require each generation to inspire, set the pace, and cast vision for the continuity of values for the community. This process of continuity, community and change is like a relay race. It is not for the lonely marathoner, nor for the speedy 100 meter sprinter. Rather, it is like a team of runners who run the assigned lap and pass the baton to the next runner. Finally the course has been run and the finish line is crossed. Hand off's are crucial and take preparation and readiness.

The baton must be handed off carefully or the race is lost. In February, 1992 at the Big Ten track meet, Penn State thought they would win the relay, but they dropped the baton and for them the race was lost. At the 1936 Olympics, the German women's relay team lost because the baton was dropped. The British press said, “They muffed the baton.” The French press referred to the baton as “les temois,”—or the “witness.” To drop the baton is to drop the witness. In every church, school and mission agency care must be taken in the passing of the baton. The baton, the "witness," must not be dropped.

And since 1917 the IFMA witness has not been dropped. IFMA standards, doctrinal position, and association membership requirements have remained strong. The donor public, churches and people continue to be assured that the IFMA remains the symbol of integrity in world missions.

We know that mission associations are good for many reasons. They not only maintain standards, but they bring people and missions together. Partnerships are created and maintained around the world one detail at a time as people and missions take advantage of membership in this association. I am thrilled at what God is doing and can do through this group of faith missions, the IFMA. Great opportunities and many open doors are before us. Our vision and imagination as missions and as an association is continually exploring and discovering new ways to reach this world for Christ.

Nonetheless, I need to tell you that as I look ahead, my heart is in harmony with the Apostle Paul who said in II Cor. 2:12-13 that although he saw open doors, he did not have peace of mind to enter them. So it is, therefore, with a sense of peace and confidence in the Lord that I tell you that I believe that the task of leading the IFMA after 2006 is a task for other hands than mine. I believe that as of December 31, 2006, Janet and I should complete our ministry with the IFMA. I believe that the Lord is leading us to new ministry opportunities. This comes after much prayer and thought over many months. We are still running hard and firmly holding the IFMA baton. We anticipate that with great care we will pass the baton of IFMA leadership on to another.

And It is important to me that you know that Janet and I today, right now, truly love serving you, the IFMA member missions. We would ask for your prayers as we seek to discern God's will for our lives. You have our prayers as a new leader for the IFMA is discovered through the appropriate process. Our time with the IFMA will always be a treasure of friendships and contented service that will remain forever with us. Thank you for this privilege of serving you.

The fields are still white; the harvest is yet plenteous; the race is still to be run. We will continue to serve while it is yet day. We don't know yet what ministries God has for us. We look forward to the potential of some new challenges. We wait on God for His leading, always thanking Him that He will guide the future as He has the past. In every change He faithful will remain, both for the association and for each one of us. The IFMA is blessed with a solid community of leadership. We are confident that you, and you are the IFMA, will continue to carry the baton in the race set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith.

John H. Orme, Th.D., Executive Director, IFMA

1 Herbert Kane, Faith Mighty Faith, IFMA, 1956, p. 3.
2 Kane, p. 3
3 Tucker, From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya, Zondervan, 1983, 290 quoting Herbert Kane in A Concise History of Christian World Missions. 186, Baker, 1978.
4 Tucker, 290.
5 Kouzes & Posner, Leadership Challenge, Jossey Bass, 2002.


*IFMA is now CrossGlobal Link