What does self-sustaining ministry mean?

• A. Relying on external funding indefinitely.
• B. Ministries that rely on short-term missionaries.
• C. Ministries that are financially and organizationally sustainable with local resources.
• D. Ministries that do not train leaders.

Answer: (C)

Self-sustaining ministry means a ministry can continue and grow using local resources rather than needing ongoing outside support. It relies on financially and organizationally sound structures that local churches and leaders own, including training leaders, mobilizing local funding, and establishing local governance. That’s why the best description is ministries that are financially and organizationally sustainable with local resources. Relying on external funding indefinitely isn’t self-sustaining, ministries that rely on short-term missionaries don’t necessarily build lasting local capacity, and not training leaders undermines long-term stability.