Francis' Incarnational Ministry

Francis of Assisi, a man whom many call "Saint Francis," was a lay Christian missionary in the 1200s.
Francis' home base was in central Italy, but he made mission trips to Spain and to the eastern end of the Mediterranean.
During one of the Crusades, Francis managed to make his way to Egypt for a meeting with the Sultan, even while the Crusaders were looting the countryside and laying siege to the city.
That Muslim leader was so impressed by the boldness and peaceful nature of Francis that he said something along the lines of, "If I would meet more Christians like you, I would be tempted to become one."

Missionaries from the past whose ministry affects today's global outreach efforts

One way of thinking about missionary service is to measure it against Christ's incarnation style. That does not mean that missionaries are supposed to become God like Jesus was. It does mean that missionaries allow Jesus to be seen in their actions and attitudes in a way similar to how the Father was reflected in Jesus' actions and attitudes. Incarnational living means saying with the Apostle Paul: "I no longer live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20).

What was Francis of Assisi?

A lay missionary in the 1200s named Francis portrays what it means for a missionary to be incarnational. Francis (whose name in Italian is "Francesco") came from an Italian city named Assisi. That is why he's called Francis of Assisi (sometimes misspelled by non-Italians as "Assissi"). One thing a lot of people remember about him is the sermon he supposedly preached to the birds. If we can work our way past the multitude of legends about Francis, we can glimpse a missionary through whom Christ shone.

Francis grew up in a wealthy family but walked away from that wealth to become a lay evangelist. He worked at reviving dead and dying churches in central Italy. Then, he realized that his call was more global, so he expanded his vision and founded a missionary-sending group. He personally went on mission trips to Jerusalem and to Spain. One trip was cut short by a shipwreck and the other by illness.

One very remarkable incarnational episode in Francis' life came during one of the medieval-period Crusades. While the Pope's "Christian" army battled the "heathen" Muslim army of Egypt, Francis made his way to Egypt, where he managed to arrange a meeting with the Sultan (the country's religious and political leader).

At the end of their time together, the Sultan reportedly said to Francis, "If I would meet more Christians like you, I would be tempted to become one."

Something about Francis communicated the presence of Christ to that Muslim leader far better than the actions of the soldiers of the "Christian" army who were laying siege to his city while looting the countryside.

Francis' missionary-sending group became a prominent "missionary order" of the Western Church. We know that group today as the "Franciscans." Francis wouldn't be happy with that name or the wealth accumulated by that organization. Abhorring power and prestige, Francis called his group Ordo Fratrum Minorum, a Latin phrase that can be translated simply as "little brothers."

What is Francis' legacy for us today?

Francis is credited with writing a poetic prayer which has been set to music:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
    where there is hatred, let me sow love;
    when there is injury, pardon;
    where there is doubt, faith;
    where there is despair, hope;
    where there is darkness, light;
    and where there is sadness, joy.
  Grant that I may not so much seek
    to be consoled as to console;
    to be understood, as to understand,
    to be loved as to love;
    for it is in giving that we receive,
    it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
    and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Scholars tell us they are not certain that Francis wrote those exact words. However, the incarnational life expressed in it dramatizes the powerful image of Christ shining forth through missionaries who allow Christ to live in them in ways that make them seem like "Jesus with skin on."

"Francis greeted the sultan with peace in a way that was similar to that of a Muslim greeting. The sultan was enraptured by Francis' boldness and loving timbre. They talked of spiritual matters and reflected together on each other's religious traditions." -- Megan Pittman, Northwest Nazarene University graduate student

Reflection Questions on Francis of Assisi

What does it mean for a global missionary to be incarnational? What is there about Francis of Assisi that exemplifies this concept?
How did Francis of Assisi's encounter with the Sultan demonstrate the power of incarnational ministry? What impact did it have on the Sultan?
How does the prayer attributed to Francis of Assisi in the essay reflect his philosophy of missionary work? In what ways do its sentiments continue to appeal to Christians today?
What is the legacy of Francis of Assisi for modern-day missionary work? How can his example be applied to global outreach efforts today?
What might be some challenges that missionaries face in embodying the ideals of incarnational living? What can they do to meet and overcome these challenges?

-- Howard Culbertson,

Afterword: Some things we can learn from Francis

Cross-cultural missionaries today can learn from the life and teachings of Francis of Assisi, a medieval Italian friar known for his radical commitment to Christ and his pioneering approach to cross-cultural ministry. Here are seven important lessons from Francis:

Francis of Assisi imitated Christ by fully immersing himself in the culture and context of the people he served. Cross-cultural missionaries need to live among the people they seek to reach. They need to learn their language, understand their cultural ways, and empathize with their struggles.
Francis embraced a life of humility and simplicity. He renounced his family's wealth and privilege in favor of serving others. Missionaries today must also approach cross-cultural ministry with humility.
The idea of "Creation care" was not born yesterday. More than 700 years ago, Francis of Assisi had a deep reverence for God's creation. He saw all living creatures as important to God. Missionaries today should be spokespersons for the preservation of both the natural world and the cultural heritage of the people.
Francis's authenticity and genuine love for others drew people to Christ. Missionaries today must build trust and credibility by being authentic in their words and actions.
Francis engaged in dialogue with people of various faiths and backgrounds. He sought to understand their points of view while sharing the love of Christ. Missionaries today should follow his example by engaging in respectful dialogue with people of other cultures and religions.
Francis led by example, serving others with humility and compassion. Missionaries today should also lead by serving and empowering others.
Prayer and Contemplation: Francis placed a strong emphasis on prayer and contemplation. He sought God's guidance and strength for his ministry. Missionaries today should also line in prayerful dependence on God.

Acrostic: Francis

F – Following the footsteps of Christ with humble grace
R – Renouncing wealth to embrace a life of poverty
A – Adoring all of creation as God’s handiwork
N – Nurturing peace with gentle words and deeds
C – Comforting the poor and outcast with tender care
I – Inspiring others to serve with compassion
S – Singing of God's glory with every breath

More mini-essays in the "Doing missions well" series

Like acrostics? Here are more of them