In my opinion, it is dangerous to put a dollar figure on missionary effectiveness. First, such research essentially attempts to put a price tag on the value of a human being. What cost, I wonder, should we establish as being "effective." People are not car parts.

Second, this research measured conversions by baptisms. That’s a bad measure. Thousands of people around the world come to faith without ever being baptised. No one can keep accurate records of how many are baptised. There are millions of believers around the world who never even go to a traditional church. And there are many people who have been baptised but aren’t really believers.

Third, many missionary efforts are focused on "planting seed." A lot of this work only comes to fruition in subsequent generations, as Jesus said in many places throughout the gospels. So you can’t measure the value of the work by immediate results.

Finally, a huge amount of missionary work is focused not on "conversions" but on helping people with medical, economic, food relief, social, and relational needs. The New York Times reported some time back that the Evangelical church alone in America (not counting catholic efforts) provides more social services to the nations in Africa than all the governments of Africa combined.

In short, the report put out by the International Bulletin of Missions Research is quite narrow and off-base.

In my opinion, it is dangerous to put a dollar figure on missionary effectiveness. First, such research essentially attempts to put a price tag on the value of a human being. What cost, I wonder, should we establish as being "effective." People are not car parts.

Second, this research measured conversions by baptisms. That’s a bad measure. Thousands of people around the world come to faith without ever being baptised. No one can keep accurate records of how many are baptised. There are millions of believers around the world who never even go to a traditional church. And there are many people who have been baptised but aren’t really believers.

Third, many missionary efforts are focused on "planting seed." A lot of this work only comes to fruition in subsequent generations, as Jesus said in many places throughout the gospels. So you can’t measure the value of the work by immediate results.

Finally, a huge amount of missionary work is focused not on "conversions" but on helping people with medical, economic, food relief, social, and relational needs. The New York Times reported some time back that the Evangelical church alone in America (not counting catholic efforts) provides more social services to the nations in Africa than all the governments of Africa combined.

In short, the report put out by the International Bulletin of Missions Research is quite narrow and off-base.