Introduction

When the apostle Paul wrote near the end of his life that he had "finished the race," he expressed no regrets about missing out on a quiet condo by the Mediterranean Sea.

A finisher could be likened to a full-time Christian worker who is either self-supporting or on a salary.

Like Paul, many Christians have felt so strongly at mid-life about finishing their own race with excellence that they've made a career switch to use their vocational skills and interests in focused ministry.

Between 2000 and 2010, an estimated 200,000 Evangelical Christians in Canada will retire. They are the healthiest, best-educated generation of mid-lifers ever.

You've fulfilled career goals, established your children, been involved with your local church, and now you are looking for even more challenging ministry opportunities.

To smooth the process for "finishers" -- people exploring and preparing for a mid-life shift to ministry -- a group of Canadian ministries have formed Finishers Canada to help with the transition. It is assisted by the Global Mission Roundtable of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (EFC).

As part of its education program, Finishers Canada has published this article to help answer typical questions for finishers. The information is based on findings from a survey of mission agencies and other Christian organizations in Canada.

At the end, you will find the names and addresses of organizations that have opportunities for finishers, and a list of additional research resources. We trust you will find the material helpful and encouraging as you seek the Lord's will on your future.

Dave Mannings and Bob Morris,

"Finishers Canada"

Exploration

Are you nearing retirement and ready for a new career in which you can still make a significant impact for Christ? The following information can help you explore service or ministry as a Finisher.

What is a Finisher?

"Finisher" is a name coined in Christian ministry circles. It describes people who are over 50, mature in Christ, and who have changed career directions to use their life skills in cross-cultural ministry. While other names have been used to describe these individuals, such as "Prime Timer" in Australia, "finishers" recognizes that this new ministry is probably one of their last career involvements.

Let's look at some examples of Finishers …

One Victoria couple, after the husband retired from the Canadian Air Force, served with Wycliffe as business managers in the Philippines.

The vice-president of a multi-national corporation took his management skills to a factory in China.

The president of a steel foundry took his analytic and financial skills to a major Canadian ministry.

A number of people teach English as a second language overseas and in Canada. Still others use their corporate credentials as employees or volunteers overseas so they can quietly reach people whose countries bar career missionaries.

A finisher could be likened to a full-time Christian worker who is either self-supporting or on a salary. If you want to move into cross-cultural ministry, whether in Canada or overseas, and you're in the last stretch of your working life, you are what we call a finisher.

Is there a biblical basis for the concept of finishers?

Absolutely! In 2 Timothy 4:7 Paul, Lydia and Caleb are all good examples of finishers. He wrote: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

We all want to finish our lives well, and for many that means looking for significance after they've known success …

Finishing well was Paul's life long goal for his ministry. Paul was not a young man when he became a missionary, so he's a good example of one who finished life well.

After she became a Christian, Lydia, a Philippian businesswomen, opened her home to ministry and it became the site of the first church in Philippi.

Another biblical model of a finisher is Caleb, who at 85 claimed Hebron as his inheritance, and then fought its inhabitants in order to occupy it (see Joshua 14: 6-15; 15:13-19).

We all want to finish our lives well, and for many that means looking for significance after they've known success and the Great Commission is just as much for finishers as it is for everyone else.

Do you have to be in your 50s?

Not necessarily. While most people start exploring this option as they prepare for early retirement or a career change in their 50s, people in their early 40s have made the switch as well. As long as one has good health and the ability to serve, people in their 70s and beyond have served God in this form of ministry.

What could I do?

A recent survey of mission agencies indicated that the majority of openings were in three vocational areas: education (kindergarten through university, secular or theological); health care (doctors, nurses, technicians); and management and finance.

However, office administrators, construction specialists, volunteers for orphanages, and house parents for schools are equally welcome. So are IT specialists, administrators, and people willing to take on routine tasks to free up front line workers with language skills.

Can you put together media presentations? You could help others tell their story, or if you have a hobby, such as puppet making or drama, you might find an opening to train youth workers or lead a children's program. The possibilities are endless!

With whom could I work with? And where?

Four major categories of organizations want to use finishers:

• Missions

• Churches

• Denominations

• Secular Agencies

Missions have probably the greatest need for finishers, both at home and overseas. While many vocational opportunities exist, the majority are in the support area rather than in the front lines of evangelism, church planting, or Bible translation. However, depending on your background, health, and skill set, sometimes you will match the opportunities that exist even in these areas.

Local churches use people who can volunteer regularly. And some welcome those who can serve as a pastor of administration, in ethnic outreach, or in other rewarding roles.

Denominations often have part-time and short-term positions in national and regional offices.

Finally, you could join secular organizations, such as CESO (Canadian Executive Service Organization) as volunteers overseas or in Canada. You could share your love of Christ with co-workers and new friends, as long as you do it appropriately.

To find out more, check with the organizations listed on pages 24 to 29, with your local church, your denomination, or with secular agencies.

How long is a term of service?

In general, a three-month stay is the shortest term that lets you have a meaningful experience. As for length of stay, you can serve for as long as you are in good health and able to do a task that needs to be done. But make sure you allow for extra trips home to see your grandchildren, family, and friends.

What about the risks?

There are many dangerous and difficult places to live and serve in today's world, so precautions are taken to ensure acceptable levels of risk and accessibility. This begins with screening candidates for good physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.

… sending agencies will prepare you for culture shock (or culture stress).

In addition, sending agencies will prepare you for culture shock (or culture stress). You'll want to be ready to adapt to different weather, food, and values. You may find it difficult not to be in charge or to have to work at a slower pace with less technology and fewer support systems than you were used to before.

Above all, most Christian agencies do continuous "acceptable risk" assessments and will help you put reliable support networks in place. If something should happen, they'll arrange for your care, rehabilitation, and post-distress counselling.

What are the qualifications for serving as a Finisher?

Each organization has their own list of qualifications that finishers need to meet. Some of the basics are:

• Experience in life and in the Lord

• Regular, active participation membership in your local church

• Good pastoral reference

• Agreement of spouse, if applicable

• Good health and availability for service

• Ability to travel and possibly live in less-developed conditions

• Work experience and expertise, whether in the home or public sphere

• Motivation to serve: a love for God, a love for people, and love of hard work

• A network of potential prayer supporters

• Financial support or access to personal financial resources

• A conviction that God is leading you in a new direction

Preparation

This section will help you get ready for ministry as a finisher. It covers topics such as prayer, financial, and church support, and working with a Christian agency.

Why is a sense of God's direction important?

Every Christian is a "called one". That is, he/she is called out of the world to be a follower of Jesus Christ and a member of His church, the ecclesia (literally "called out ones"). We are to witness to the Lord wherever we are and whatever we are doing (see Acts 1:8; Colossians 3: 17) and we all need to be confident of God's direction, to be who He wants us to be, and to do what He wants us to do.

Without a strong conviction that God is leading you to serve as a finisher, you could easily end up disillusioned and disappointed when you face tough challenges. Life in Christian work isn't easy, nor are the various cultural adaptations you may have to make. At times, you may question why you made this decision.

Becoming a finisher just because you want a career change and a chance to experience a new country or culture won't sustain you in the long run. With a clear sense that God has led you, you will be able to survive some struggles and difficult situations, which otherwise might seem impossible.

What about finances?

Financial arrangements for finishers vary widely, but sources of support generally fall into one of five categories:

• Some people have sufficient pension and other income to travel and support themselves. Charitable receipts for tax purposes may be available from their sponsoring organization.

• Others may have some income from pensions or other sources, but not enough to sustain themselves independently. They will need to supplement their income with personal support.

• A few are able to earn an income from sending organizations to cover their expenses.

• Some finishers go as tentmakers and will earn a salary or income from a business. Their work in their professions becomes the platform for their ministry.

• Many people develop their own financial support from their friends, family, and church connections because volunteer agencies and most mission organizations do not pay a salary or cover expenses.

How hard is it to raise financial support?

If you were brought up to be self-sufficient, raising funds for yourself may seem daunting. But you'd be surprised at the number of people who want to get involved in cross-cultural ministry as "senders." You can also get help from the resources list in this booklet.

What about prayer support?

Prayer support is absolutely essential for effective ministry. Every person in Christian ministry, even those who go with secular agencies will need a team of committed prayer partners—intercessors who listen to God on their behalf and pray as He leads. The apostle Paul asked, "Pray for me that … I will fearlessly make know the mystery of the Gospel" (Ephesians 6:19). He knew that ministry has a spiritual dimension that requires active connection with God.

How do I investigate opportunities?

Here are some recommended steps you can take to begin working as a finisher:

• Attend a finisher's forum or seminar.

• Contact your denominational office or the organizations listed at the end of this booklet and determine their needs.

• Write down your questions and work through them with people whom you respect.

• Discuss your interest with your spouse and family.

• Discuss your interest with your pastor and church.

• Pray: narrow down your options, and when you are ready, apply to an organization.

• Be sure to begin the application and orientation process in consultation with your local church.

Why Should I involve my home church?

Most Christian agencies see themselves as facilitators. They regard the home church as the sending base for people in cross-cultural ministry.

Finishers become interpreters of what God is doing in the world.

Agencies recognize that everyone who goes into Christian service needs a strong support system. Even if a person has sufficient personal financial resources, they also need prayer and moral support. Since your home church is the best source of such care, you'll want to ensure it knows about and supports your new endeavour.

The church can also play a unique role as you apply, in helping equip you, in holding you accountable, and in standing behind you with prayer, financial, and other types of support. An excellent book that describes this role is Serving as Senders, by Neil Pirolo.

Finally, you can help your congregation to learn and grow through involvement in mission. Finishers become interpreters of what God is doing in the world.

Is it really better to go with a Christian agency?

When it comes to serving overseas, many factors make association with a Christian team advisable. Being part of a larger team gives you encouragement and perspective. An organization with experience overseas can help you prepare properly by making sure you have proper medical coverage and understand life in the new country. They can also be the best source of leads for a job. If they have systems in place, you'll find they can make it easier for you to maintain communication and accountability with supporters.

Even if you are formally associated with a secular organization, which looks after your organizational and financial needs, association with a Christian agency for fellowship and counsel will help you keep your vision focused on ministry.

If you are serving in your own community or culture, the local church may well be the best "Christian agency."

What should I look for in an agency?

Many good agencies are willing to help you fulfill your ministry goals. As you do your research, you will want to identify the agency that offers you the best fit. Questions to ask in your search include the following:

• Do they offer ministry opportunities of the kind, and in the area, I'm interested in?

• Do they understand the unique role finishers can play in their overall ministry objectives?

• Do I agree with the group's theological position on basic biblical doctrines and especially the Great Commission?

• Do they assist in raising/arranging financial support?

• Have they demonstrated competence and integrity over a number of years?

• Does my church know and approve of this agency?

• Do I respect other workers whom I know already work with them?

• Do they provide Christian fellowship for workers?

• Do I have a strong sense of God's leading to this particular agency?

Then, as you begin the application process, keep asking yourself this one question: Do I like the way the mission operates, and do I resonate with the people I meet who are working for them?

What special training will I need?

Training may vary widely among organizations, particularly if you're planning to go overseas. Most organizations will discuss your background, ask about prior experience, and help prepare you adequately for the assignment you hope to do. This preparation may involve some or all of the following:

• Orientation to the organization, its' goals, objectives, principles, and practices

• Cross-cultural training relevant to the country/location in which you hope to serve

• Language study if you're going into a different language situation. Usually this will involve a very basic level of fluency, and you may even choose to learn basic phrases yourself

• If necessary, upgrading of your skills and training

What's required to be accepted?

When it comes to placement, organizations will generally take many factors into consideration before they accept and assign you. They'll look for personal and spiritual maturity, good health, a vocational match with their needs, cross-cultural sensitivity, flexibility, acceptance of their values and policies, and the ability to work under supervision. They'll interview you, check references, and perhaps ask you to do some testing. They will want you to have financial, prayer, and church support. The biggest factor affecting whether you are accepted is the availability of an opening or job that is suitable for you.

Conclusion

You probably have more questions than have been covered in this booklet. The preparation checklist below should help you consider your role as a finisher. Please feel free to contact the organizations listed and ask your questions. Each of them is committed to serving you.

Preparation checklist

Suggestion: think, talk, and pray through this list. If you have some questions about the topics and the issues implied, talk with a pastor, mission representative, or respected friend.

1) The impetus to go:

• God's heart for mission from Genesis onwards

• The Great Commission

• The unfinished task and the present day challenge

• The nature of God's guidance

• The right and wrong motivations

2) Advantages to being a finisher:

• Biblical and historical examples

• Need to develop creative strategies to gain access to unreached people

• Many opportunities to use vocation, profession, and interests cross-culturally

• The value most other cultures put on age and experience

3) Biblical and doctrinal foundations:

• Knowledge of the Bible

• Doctrinal competencies including conviction on uniqueness of Christ and a biblical view of other religions

• Dependence on the Holy Spirit and an understanding of how he works in the world

• Clarity about the truths essential to the Gospel and those on which people can differ

4) Work attitudes:

• Whole life including work seen as a ministry

• Pursuit of excellence as a means of testimony

• Appreciation of non-profit environment

• Focus on service/ministry so others benefit

• Ability to working under less experienced leadership

• The value of partnerships in commending the gospel

• Teachability

5) Spiritual preparation:

• Spiritual birth and healthy growth and maturity

• Assessment of natural and spiritual gifts

• Emotional and psychological readiness

• Openness to support, help, and encouragement

• Call to servant hood

• Growing love for others

• Conflict resolution strategies in place

• Healthy approach to marriage and/or singleness

• Witnessing life-style developed at home

6) Cross-cultural adaptation:

• Understanding of world issues and ability to respond to them

• Suitability for a particular country (climate, hardship etc.) or location

• Readiness to adjust to surveillance, safety measures and security of communications

7) Identification with the host culture:

• Comfort with language requirements

• Understanding of host culture and its world view

• Understanding of our own culture and ability to distinguish between our culture and issues of faith and

• Christian behaviour

• How far we should go in trying to be like those in the host culture

• Readiness to focus on the people in your new location rather on staying connected with those "at home"

• Ability to overcome prejudices and help people in the host country overcome theirs

8) Stress factors and strategies:

• Culture shock and culture stress - nature and remedies

• Burnout and leaving the country early

• Need to rest and relax away from work location

• Pacing daily life to match vocational, spiritual, emotional, and physical limitations

• Adaptation to being a learner, yet a gentle and humble encourager

• Separation from family and friends

• physical danger

9) Experience in evangelism and discipleship

• Friendship evangelism

• Leading an evangelistic Bible study

• Discipling others

• Readiness to get adequate training

• Sensitivity to other religions and to potential restrictions

10) Roles of home and local national churches:

• Support from home church for finisher's vision

• Communication plan: prayer letters, newsletters, or letters

• Willingness to build relationships with a local national church, where possible and wise

11) Accountability:

• Strategies for ensuring accountability.

• Willingness to be primarily accountability to colleagues rather than to a superior.

• Setting realistic and measurable objectives

12) Teamwork:

• Advantages of teams. Are "lone rangers" ever justified?

• Experience in teamwork

13) Spiritual warfare:

• Understanding of how Satan attacks the person, family, and the team

• Challenge of entering enemy-held territory and of dealing with demonic powers

• Practice of spiritual disciplines

Research resources

Books

Clearly Communicating Christ: Breaking Down Barriers to Effective Communication. Landa Cope, YWAM

Publishing, 1995.

Figuring Foreigners Out: A Practical Guide. Craig Storti, Intercultural Press Inc., 1999.

Friend Raising. Building A Missionary Support Team That Lasts. Betty Barnett, YWAM Publishing, 1991.

Funding Your Ministry, Whether You're Gifted or Not! Scott Morton, Dawson Media, 1999.

Getting Sent, A Relational Approach to Support Raising. Pete Sommer, InterVarsity Press, 1999.

Halftime. Bob Buford, Zondervan, 1997.

How to be a World Class Christian. Paul Borthwick, Victor Books,1991.

Marching to a Different Drummer. Jim Raymo, Christian Literature Crusade, 1996.

Operation World. Patrick Johnstone. Authentic Media, 2001.

People Raising, A Practical Guide to Raising Support. William Dillon, Moody Press, 1993.

Second Wind for the Second Half. Patrick Morley, Zondervan,1999.

Serving as Senders. "How to Care for you Missionaries while they are preparing to go, while they are on the field,

when they return home," Neil Pirolo, Emmaus Rd Int'l., 1991.

Training

BeFriend
P.O. Box 20164, St. Catharine's, ON, L2M 7W7
Tel: (905) 646-0228 or (800) 295-4158
Website: www.sim.ca/Toronto_Outreach_Partnership_BeFriend.asp

Mission Prep
30 Goldberry Sq., Scarborough, ON, M1C 3H5
Tel: (416) 284-5645
Fax: (416) 284-5645
Email: missionprep@sympatico.ca
Website: www.timcentre.com/missionprep

Perspectives
Victoria Park Postal Outlet Box 83036, Toronto, ON, M4B 2J0
Email: perspectivestoronto@canada.com
Website: www.geocities.com/perspectivestoronto or www.perspectives.org

Videotapes

Mission Exploration
A video-based group study on missions as a second career.
Finishers Project USA. Available from www.finishers.org
Finishers Project (USA): www.finishers.org

Useful Links

Perspectives: www.perspectivescanada.org

Missionsfest: http://www.missionsfest.com/home.html

MissionPrep: www.timcentre.com/missionprep