Final answer:
Ministry in local churches by missionaries on furlough often leads to lasting relationships and provides a source of speakers for churches, but it is not a primary cause of missionary burnout nor does it reduce the Foreign Missions Department's responsibility.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ministry in local churches by missionaries on furlough can result in several outcomes, one of which includes forming lasting relationships between the churches and the missionaries they support. These relationships benefit the local church by providing a source of speakers for Sunday evening and midweek events, thereby relieving U.S. pastors of some duties. However, more importantly, they foster a deeper connection and understanding of the mission field among the congregants. It must be noted that while this interaction is beneficial, it is not necessarily the primary cause of missionary burnout, which can be a complex issue related to various stressors encountered on the field. At the same time, missionary engagement with local churches should not be seen as lessening the responsibility of the Foreign Missions Department, as their role is critical in facilitating and overseeing the overarching mission's work.
The historical context of missionary efforts reveals that missionaries have played a significant role in spreading Christianity and imposing cultural changes on indigenous populations. This was often done with an imperialistic mindset and sometimes led to negative consequences for local societies, such as when missionaries demanded that converts in polygamous societies divorce multiple spouses or abandon traditional practices like ancestor veneration in China. Nonetheless, church involvement in community service and social reforms, including the advancement of civil rights in the U.S., points to a complex picture of missionary work throughout history.