The groundwork is being laid for an effort in Bogota. The effects of these professional and upper-class churches will begin to be felt by the national church as it sees its coffers swell. Already this scenario is being played out in some countries. The Mexican and Argentine church presidents have attested to the financial help these churches give to national church budgets. As national churches become increasingly financially independent and better led, dependency on the mission will decrease, making transition an easier prospect.
Dependency still is a large issue in certain countries.
Even in countries with more developed churches there is a strong reluctance to losing missionaries working in their established churches. Less than 30 percent of our staff will be involved in full-time administration, institutional, or established church activities. Purposeful decisions were made by IM and the fields during this year to begin changing these percentages. In 2001 another survey will be taken to gauge progress in this area. It is presently in only three countries with a little more than seventy students.