It was a Friday afternoon and Rev. Gilbert Thomas stood before the final assembly of the Vacation Bible School at the Bible Baptist Church of Gardena, California.
“Boys and girls,” pastor Thomas said, “two thousand years ago Jesus was hanging on the cross. He looked up into heaven as He was dying and said, ‘Father, I’m dying for…’” Pastor Thomas paused and looked down on the children in the church and said, “You can put y our name right there kids, for Jesus died just for you.”
When the invitation was given I stepped forward, along with my brother and my cousin. At the age of eight one wonders if a decision of that magnitude is valid. My brother is convinced that his salvation did not take place until over thirty years later. I have no idea about my cousin or the countless other kids that went forward that day, I can only speak from myself.
It was fifty years ago, August 19, 1955 that I embraced Jesus as my Lord and my Savior. I started my journey well. I remember running home and hugging my mom in the kitchen proudly declaring I was “saved.” I remember my first real Bible and how I had underlined almost every verse with dark blue ink, as every word was real and important to me. I went through a “prodigal” season and, like Peter, denied I ever knew Him. But even in my most rebellious days, I never forgot that August day. As a returning son in 1967, the reunion to my first love was nearly as wonderful as that day as an innocent eight-year old boy.
Tonight, alone with my thoughts in a motel room far away from family and friends, I reflect on that day. That summer day, fifty years ago, seems like another lifetime, yet, in other ways it feels just like yesterday. I have no way of knowing if that was the day I was redeemed, but it was the day I said, “Father, Jesus died just for me, and today I want to come and tell you that I’m sorry He had to go to the cross and I want to be a Christian.”
They say that when one comes to Christ there is rejoicing in heaven. I’m not sure if that’s true, but I wonder tonight if there is also rejoicing on spiritual birthdays? Happy birthday to me.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Friday, May 27, 2005
Directed Steps
As I was walking to the market this afternoon I noticed an old man ahead of me. Walking with uncertainty with his cane, I realized that he was blind. The street is under repairs and this old man was walking toward a hole that would surely cause him to fall and cause serious injury. The old man detected something was wrong as he no longer was walking on pavement but dirt and rocks. A car appeared suddenly at the intersection and, seeing the old man’s impending misfortune, began to honk his horn. All this did was confuse the old man, and he quickened his shuffling feet toward the hole. Inches from calamity, I reached out and took the old man’s arm and guided him to safety. He had no idea who grabbed him as I never spoke. He wasn’t aware of his predicament I rescued him from, but it didn’t matter -- he was safe and I went on my way.
I’m not one to spiritualize everything and I don’t look for a lesson from God in everything that happens throughout the day. But this incident gave me something to think about as I continued my trip to town.
As I walk through this existence called life, I am the blind man trying to reach a destination not well defined. My steps are always uncertain, but if I’m on a familiar road I manage. Too often, I find myself walking on uneven terrain and, though I sense danger, I can’t really comprehend the seriousness of my situation. I hear the noise around me, friends, family, my culture – but I can’t discern the meaning of the racket. Are they warnings, advice or just voices of irritation for me to walk the way they want me to walk? Maybe the clamor is frustration for me just to get out of the way.
In the midst of my confusion a hand grabs me by the arm and gently guides my feet across the road. I never hear a voice, I never see the face, but I know He was there. Because I am blind, I have no idea what ditch I was about to fall into but grateful that I can feel the solid ground beneath me. I continue my shuffle toward an uncertain destination, grateful that I have a present God who directs my steps.
I’m not one to spiritualize everything and I don’t look for a lesson from God in everything that happens throughout the day. But this incident gave me something to think about as I continued my trip to town.
As I walk through this existence called life, I am the blind man trying to reach a destination not well defined. My steps are always uncertain, but if I’m on a familiar road I manage. Too often, I find myself walking on uneven terrain and, though I sense danger, I can’t really comprehend the seriousness of my situation. I hear the noise around me, friends, family, my culture – but I can’t discern the meaning of the racket. Are they warnings, advice or just voices of irritation for me to walk the way they want me to walk? Maybe the clamor is frustration for me just to get out of the way.
In the midst of my confusion a hand grabs me by the arm and gently guides my feet across the road. I never hear a voice, I never see the face, but I know He was there. Because I am blind, I have no idea what ditch I was about to fall into but grateful that I can feel the solid ground beneath me. I continue my shuffle toward an uncertain destination, grateful that I have a present God who directs my steps.
Thursday, May 19, 2005
When The Rules Change
I’ve received several messages of encouragement this past week from friends all over the world. Since I made the decision to resign from the organization I’ve worked with for fifteen years to launch out on my own, the typical comment has been, “Sorry to see you go, but not surprised.”
One colleague wrote saying that he, too, felt frustrated and wondered about his future? He said that within his organization things have changed and felt like he was being squeezed. His story was not unlike mine, so I reminded him what Bob Buford wrote in his most recent book, FINISHING WELL,
“You can choose the game, but not the rules…Every game has its own rules and you don’t get to make them up. You choose your game and adapt to its rules.”
Like my friend, I chose the game in 1989, knowing what the rules were. I followed the rules and played the game well, doing what God has gifted me to do. In 2002 the rules changed. I don’t fault the organization for changing the rules, though it affected my life and of course felt their decision was a breach of promise. The changing of rules is not really the issue (United Airlines recently reneged on a promise of pensions. There is nothing in life that is guaranteed). What IS important was my response to what happens when the rules change. Buford continues,
“…if you find that the rules chafe, restrict, and don’t allow expression of your potential, you either CHANGE GAMES or CREATE YOUR OWN. The game you choose is your context. Once you know your core, you need to find the context that brings forth the best from your unique gifts and abilities.”
My friend’s dilemma is that he is in a financial corner. He suffers through the bureaucracy of his organization because he knows he will lose support if he refuses to play by the rules of the game. He feels trapped, at this time, as he can’t jeopardize his family’s welfare. My advice to him is to continue to follow the rules while seeking God for a different context. That’s not disloyalty, that’s taking control of your own life and asking God to direct your steps in the process (Pr. 16:9). I do not see this brother as an entrepreneur, so he won’t be creating his own game, but he will probably find another game that is more suited for his gifts.
But some people do indeed create a new game. Jim Collins, author of GOOD TO GREAT confesses, “I’m constitutionally unemployable. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial streak…I had to create my own organization…I eventually realized I had to find a context that would fit me like a glove. At a gut level, I think, there’s a need for a self-created context when you’re not wasting energy battling the fact that you’re in somebody’s else’s context.”
Maybe that’s what my friends mean when they write, “Sorry to see you go, but not surprised.”
One colleague wrote saying that he, too, felt frustrated and wondered about his future? He said that within his organization things have changed and felt like he was being squeezed. His story was not unlike mine, so I reminded him what Bob Buford wrote in his most recent book, FINISHING WELL,
“You can choose the game, but not the rules…Every game has its own rules and you don’t get to make them up. You choose your game and adapt to its rules.”
Like my friend, I chose the game in 1989, knowing what the rules were. I followed the rules and played the game well, doing what God has gifted me to do. In 2002 the rules changed. I don’t fault the organization for changing the rules, though it affected my life and of course felt their decision was a breach of promise. The changing of rules is not really the issue (United Airlines recently reneged on a promise of pensions. There is nothing in life that is guaranteed). What IS important was my response to what happens when the rules change. Buford continues,
“…if you find that the rules chafe, restrict, and don’t allow expression of your potential, you either CHANGE GAMES or CREATE YOUR OWN. The game you choose is your context. Once you know your core, you need to find the context that brings forth the best from your unique gifts and abilities.”
My friend’s dilemma is that he is in a financial corner. He suffers through the bureaucracy of his organization because he knows he will lose support if he refuses to play by the rules of the game. He feels trapped, at this time, as he can’t jeopardize his family’s welfare. My advice to him is to continue to follow the rules while seeking God for a different context. That’s not disloyalty, that’s taking control of your own life and asking God to direct your steps in the process (Pr. 16:9). I do not see this brother as an entrepreneur, so he won’t be creating his own game, but he will probably find another game that is more suited for his gifts.
But some people do indeed create a new game. Jim Collins, author of GOOD TO GREAT confesses, “I’m constitutionally unemployable. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial streak…I had to create my own organization…I eventually realized I had to find a context that would fit me like a glove. At a gut level, I think, there’s a need for a self-created context when you’re not wasting energy battling the fact that you’re in somebody’s else’s context.”
Maybe that’s what my friends mean when they write, “Sorry to see you go, but not surprised.”
Friday, May 13, 2005
Helpless
Yesterday my landlord observed a memorial service for his son who passed away seven years ago. The Hindu priest came to the house and the surviving family members, which included the widow and their daughter, a sister and her husband, came together to pray that the soul of this son would have peace, “wherever he might be,” as Mr. Jighan explained to me.
In the extended family system, the eldest son and family live with the parents. Mr. Jinghan expected his only son would outlive him and take care of he and his wife in their old age. Now eighty-five years old, in poor health, I watch my friend slowly moving toward eternity without Christ. Mr. Jinghan has been an agonistic most of his life, and it’s only because of his impending demise that he even talks about God. I’ve spent hours talking with him about Christ, but, as far as I can see, he is no closer to understanding the Good News as when we moved into the flat above him two years ago. Sometimes I feel the only thing I have accomplished is to make him a better Hindu as he has a greater consciousness of God. Our liveliest debate was over Billy Graham’s book, “Peace With God,” which someone gave his son before he died. Mr. Jinghan’s reaction to the book was that, “This Mr. Graham, whoever he is, basically says that his God is superior to my God.” He does not see the uniqueness of Christ. He feels no compelling reason to leave the gods of his culture to embrace a faith that is every bit as odd to him as his 330 million gods are to me.
I sometimes listen to myself talk to my friend and it sounds pretty weird – Jesus, the God-man, born of a virgin, dying on a cross for the sins of humanity, who rose from the dead. I get it, but then, I was schooled in that thought. Sure, it’s written in God’s Word, but the Muslims have their holy book, the Hindu’s have their divine scriptures, the Mormons posses the inspired works of Joseph Smith. We reject those writings as we don’t accept their veracity, and besides, the stories seem absurd, the same thing that Mr. Jinghan thinks when I talk to him about life of Christ.
In the end, I know that salvation comes, not through power of persuasion, but only through the power of the God’s Spirit. It all comes down to the issue of faith. I do not believe that God has predetermined Mr. Jinghan to eternal judgment but believe that He, in His loving-kindness, has allowed me to tell him about my Savior. His love for my friend is greater than mine. I have done all I know to do. I pray for Mr. Jinghan, but I feel helpless.
In the extended family system, the eldest son and family live with the parents. Mr. Jinghan expected his only son would outlive him and take care of he and his wife in their old age. Now eighty-five years old, in poor health, I watch my friend slowly moving toward eternity without Christ. Mr. Jinghan has been an agonistic most of his life, and it’s only because of his impending demise that he even talks about God. I’ve spent hours talking with him about Christ, but, as far as I can see, he is no closer to understanding the Good News as when we moved into the flat above him two years ago. Sometimes I feel the only thing I have accomplished is to make him a better Hindu as he has a greater consciousness of God. Our liveliest debate was over Billy Graham’s book, “Peace With God,” which someone gave his son before he died. Mr. Jinghan’s reaction to the book was that, “This Mr. Graham, whoever he is, basically says that his God is superior to my God.” He does not see the uniqueness of Christ. He feels no compelling reason to leave the gods of his culture to embrace a faith that is every bit as odd to him as his 330 million gods are to me.
I sometimes listen to myself talk to my friend and it sounds pretty weird – Jesus, the God-man, born of a virgin, dying on a cross for the sins of humanity, who rose from the dead. I get it, but then, I was schooled in that thought. Sure, it’s written in God’s Word, but the Muslims have their holy book, the Hindu’s have their divine scriptures, the Mormons posses the inspired works of Joseph Smith. We reject those writings as we don’t accept their veracity, and besides, the stories seem absurd, the same thing that Mr. Jinghan thinks when I talk to him about life of Christ.
In the end, I know that salvation comes, not through power of persuasion, but only through the power of the God’s Spirit. It all comes down to the issue of faith. I do not believe that God has predetermined Mr. Jinghan to eternal judgment but believe that He, in His loving-kindness, has allowed me to tell him about my Savior. His love for my friend is greater than mine. I have done all I know to do. I pray for Mr. Jinghan, but I feel helpless.
Friday, May 06, 2005
Prison Practices
I was driving down a dusty road in the bush of Kenya several years back with a visiting pastor from the states. Suddenly he yelled, “Stop the car! Back up!"
Instincts made me slam down the brake and when I got the truck stopped I asked what was up?
“There’s some naked tribesman taking a bath in a mud hole back there. I want to take a picture.”
Disgusted, I put the truck in first and stepped on the gas.
“Hey, Lewis, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you backing up?”
“How would you like for someone to barge into your bathroom and take a picture of you taking a shower,” I asked?
“American tourists,” I thought to myself. “They seem to only want to take pictures of the destitute, crippled or naked.”
I thought about that incident before I submitted this blog. India is a fascinating country and if you’ve been reading the news at all you know it’s one of the hottest economies in the world. However, all cultures have a dark side. I don’t want to take only unflattering pictures of this sub-continent, but here are a couple of items that caught my eye in the newspapers this past week.
SAVE DELHI FROM ITSELF: HUGE SPIKE IN SUICIDES
“Police sources report the 200th suicide for 2005. The unofficial figure is closer to 400. Welcome to Delhi, India’s crime capital – and on it’s way to becoming its suicide capital too.”
The article goes on to say that most of the suicides are those in the 15 – 29 age group, mostly from the middle class.
CLINICS UNDER PROBE FOR FEMALE FOETICIDE
“It’s an open secret that many nursing homes in the Capital illegally provide prospective parents with sex-determination tests. This has contributed to the skewed female-male sex ratio in the Capital – put at 878 females per 1,000 males by the 2001 census.”
The reason for foeticide is because of the dowry system, where the family of the bride pays the family of the groom at marriage. It’s a heavy burden on a family that has daughters but no sons. Every day in India there are reports of dowry disputes, beatings and even killings of wives whose family has not paid dowry.
All cultures are, as my friend Sherwood Lingenfelter of Fuller Seminary says, are a prison of disobedience. In a country of 330 million gods, the one that is prayed to more often is the god of prosperity. The middle class becomes despondent because they fear their future; they eliminate those in society that could cause financial setbacks.
Pray for India. It can’t, nor can America, save itself. The Gospel is the only real hope.
Instincts made me slam down the brake and when I got the truck stopped I asked what was up?
“There’s some naked tribesman taking a bath in a mud hole back there. I want to take a picture.”
Disgusted, I put the truck in first and stepped on the gas.
“Hey, Lewis, what’s wrong? Why aren’t you backing up?”
“How would you like for someone to barge into your bathroom and take a picture of you taking a shower,” I asked?
“American tourists,” I thought to myself. “They seem to only want to take pictures of the destitute, crippled or naked.”
I thought about that incident before I submitted this blog. India is a fascinating country and if you’ve been reading the news at all you know it’s one of the hottest economies in the world. However, all cultures have a dark side. I don’t want to take only unflattering pictures of this sub-continent, but here are a couple of items that caught my eye in the newspapers this past week.
SAVE DELHI FROM ITSELF: HUGE SPIKE IN SUICIDES
“Police sources report the 200th suicide for 2005. The unofficial figure is closer to 400. Welcome to Delhi, India’s crime capital – and on it’s way to becoming its suicide capital too.”
The article goes on to say that most of the suicides are those in the 15 – 29 age group, mostly from the middle class.
CLINICS UNDER PROBE FOR FEMALE FOETICIDE
“It’s an open secret that many nursing homes in the Capital illegally provide prospective parents with sex-determination tests. This has contributed to the skewed female-male sex ratio in the Capital – put at 878 females per 1,000 males by the 2001 census.”
The reason for foeticide is because of the dowry system, where the family of the bride pays the family of the groom at marriage. It’s a heavy burden on a family that has daughters but no sons. Every day in India there are reports of dowry disputes, beatings and even killings of wives whose family has not paid dowry.
All cultures are, as my friend Sherwood Lingenfelter of Fuller Seminary says, are a prison of disobedience. In a country of 330 million gods, the one that is prayed to more often is the god of prosperity. The middle class becomes despondent because they fear their future; they eliminate those in society that could cause financial setbacks.
Pray for India. It can’t, nor can America, save itself. The Gospel is the only real hope.
Friday, April 29, 2005
Self-Management
He is 94 years old and people still seek his counsel. Peter Drucker writes,
“In a few hundred years, when the history of our time will be written from a long-term perspective, I think it is very probable that the most important event these historians will see is not technology, it is not the Internet, it is not e-commerce. It is an unprecedented change in the human condition. For the first time—and I mean that literally—substantial and rapidly growing numbers of people have choices. For the first time, they will have to MANAGE THEMSELVES.”
Of course Drucker is speaking primarily to a Western audience. Americans value independence and self-reliance. In other societies, where the extended family or the clan provide support and guidance, self-management is not an ideal but is often condemned. Pulling together, in business or family, is the preferred way to live.
Though I do not believe capitalism and free-market economy is God ordained, it fits well with our American sense of pioneer rugged individualism. The concept of self-discipline, the rights of believer priest in each follower of Christ, can be found in the Scriptures. Our decisions are our own and no man will be able to stand before God and claim that we failed because of the decisions of others. In our society, those who blame others for poor decisions we call “playing the victim.” Though a person may indeed have a disadvantage growing up in an abusive or alcoholic family that does not give them license to practice irresponsible behavior.
Because of this independent mindset we Americans seem to have, it’s vital that, as self-managers, we seek out those who can help us in our decisions. I’m blessed to have a wife who helps me see my blind spots and who is not afraid to tell me when she thinks I’m wrong. Having grown children, I freely share my struggles and listen to their perspectives. I am very fortunate to have friends who I can call on who provide insights from an outsider’s point of view. Ultimately, I have to make the call. It goes without saying, that as a self-manager I must go to the Master and seek wisdom that can only come from above. Self-management doesn’t mean going it alone, it merely means that you do not rest on the decisions of others to manage your life.
“In a few hundred years, when the history of our time will be written from a long-term perspective, I think it is very probable that the most important event these historians will see is not technology, it is not the Internet, it is not e-commerce. It is an unprecedented change in the human condition. For the first time—and I mean that literally—substantial and rapidly growing numbers of people have choices. For the first time, they will have to MANAGE THEMSELVES.”
Of course Drucker is speaking primarily to a Western audience. Americans value independence and self-reliance. In other societies, where the extended family or the clan provide support and guidance, self-management is not an ideal but is often condemned. Pulling together, in business or family, is the preferred way to live.
Though I do not believe capitalism and free-market economy is God ordained, it fits well with our American sense of pioneer rugged individualism. The concept of self-discipline, the rights of believer priest in each follower of Christ, can be found in the Scriptures. Our decisions are our own and no man will be able to stand before God and claim that we failed because of the decisions of others. In our society, those who blame others for poor decisions we call “playing the victim.” Though a person may indeed have a disadvantage growing up in an abusive or alcoholic family that does not give them license to practice irresponsible behavior.
Because of this independent mindset we Americans seem to have, it’s vital that, as self-managers, we seek out those who can help us in our decisions. I’m blessed to have a wife who helps me see my blind spots and who is not afraid to tell me when she thinks I’m wrong. Having grown children, I freely share my struggles and listen to their perspectives. I am very fortunate to have friends who I can call on who provide insights from an outsider’s point of view. Ultimately, I have to make the call. It goes without saying, that as a self-manager I must go to the Master and seek wisdom that can only come from above. Self-management doesn’t mean going it alone, it merely means that you do not rest on the decisions of others to manage your life.
Monday, April 18, 2005
Cabin Fever
Cabin fever is often a phenomenon that conjures visions of someone being trapped in the house for days because of a blizzard. With twelve feet of snow on the ground it’s not easy to get out of the house. No wonder spring is everyone’s favorite season as one can get out of the house, smell the flowers, and breathe fresh air again.
Right now I am in the beginning phase of cabin fever in India. Hardly due to cold or snow, it’s 104 degrees outside and by mid-May it will be an even more oppressive 115 degrees. All houses in this city of 12 million are made of cement blocks and living on the second floor we are blessed with all the heat that bears down. Our apartment retains the heat in its walls throughout the night, so if it cools down to 95 outside it will remain over 100 in our flat. With our one air conditioner churning all day, we pray the power doesn’t go off.
In such heat one does not easily get out of the house. Since we don’t own a car, if we go anywhere it’s by foot or auto rickshaw. One can actually get heat burn from riding in an open auto rickshaw when it’s 115 degrees. The dilemma is to suffer outside or continue to feel the walls moving in?
Ministry? Forget about it. From the middle of April to the first of June no one moves, unless it’s out of the city to a cooler place for summer vacation. This is the time to write, read and try to survive.
My greatest challenge during this time in India is recognizing that writing, re-working lessons I will teach in the fall, is as important as standing before a classroom. If a cross-cultural worker doesn’t have a sense of responsibility, to God and those who partner with him in the work, it would be easy to just drift. Having a good work ethic is to remember that if you don’t show up for work on Monday, you won’t get paid on Friday. Having cabin fever is no excuse for not showing up for work, it just makes it a little more challenging.
Right now I am in the beginning phase of cabin fever in India. Hardly due to cold or snow, it’s 104 degrees outside and by mid-May it will be an even more oppressive 115 degrees. All houses in this city of 12 million are made of cement blocks and living on the second floor we are blessed with all the heat that bears down. Our apartment retains the heat in its walls throughout the night, so if it cools down to 95 outside it will remain over 100 in our flat. With our one air conditioner churning all day, we pray the power doesn’t go off.
In such heat one does not easily get out of the house. Since we don’t own a car, if we go anywhere it’s by foot or auto rickshaw. One can actually get heat burn from riding in an open auto rickshaw when it’s 115 degrees. The dilemma is to suffer outside or continue to feel the walls moving in?
Ministry? Forget about it. From the middle of April to the first of June no one moves, unless it’s out of the city to a cooler place for summer vacation. This is the time to write, read and try to survive.
My greatest challenge during this time in India is recognizing that writing, re-working lessons I will teach in the fall, is as important as standing before a classroom. If a cross-cultural worker doesn’t have a sense of responsibility, to God and those who partner with him in the work, it would be easy to just drift. Having a good work ethic is to remember that if you don’t show up for work on Monday, you won’t get paid on Friday. Having cabin fever is no excuse for not showing up for work, it just makes it a little more challenging.
Thursday, April 07, 2005
RECOGNITION
A friend of mine noticed a blue plastic Wal-Mart bag with his name on it in the office of a co-worker recently. When he opened it up, it was from headquarters with a plaque and a standard note that said, “In recognition of ten years of service.”
My friends experience reminded me of one of my favorite Dilbert cartoons. Dilbert is standing in front of his boss, a fat, balding guy, with pointy hair.
“We’re giving you a promotion,” the boss tells Dilbert. “Your pay will remain the same but you will have more responsibility. It’s how we RECOGNIZE our BEST people.”
“I thought our BEST people left to join other companies,” Dilbert replies.
With a sense of resignation the boss sighs, “That’s ANOTHER way we recognize them.”
My friends experience reminded me of one of my favorite Dilbert cartoons. Dilbert is standing in front of his boss, a fat, balding guy, with pointy hair.
“We’re giving you a promotion,” the boss tells Dilbert. “Your pay will remain the same but you will have more responsibility. It’s how we RECOGNIZE our BEST people.”
“I thought our BEST people left to join other companies,” Dilbert replies.
With a sense of resignation the boss sighs, “That’s ANOTHER way we recognize them.”
Monday, March 28, 2005
Holding On To Your Righteousness
Each morning this week in Hyderabad we have started the day with prayer and devotions in the chapel. I am asking my Indian students to share their favorite Scripture verse, those that have been especially meaningful and an encouragement for them. Most of the passages have come from the book of Psalms, so you can imagine my surprise when one fellow cited Job 27:6:
“My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.”
Job is one of my favorite Bible characters and I use him often in my teaching. Here was a man who greatly suffered and was accused by his friends, and even his wife, for wrongdoing. Their counsel was he needed to acknowledge his sin and repent before God. Job steadfastly refused to admit to a wrong that he was not guilty of. I have often thought it took a great deal of courage for him to stand up against majority opinion. How devastating it must have been for him to listen to misinformed people moralize and cast judgment. No doubt it was also offensive. A lesser man would have yielded, asking for forgiveness, coping a plea of having committed an unknown sin. Not Job. He would not have any of it.
If you did not know the conclusion of the life of Job, his words in this verse would seem arrogant. In the preceding verse he seems to be defiant as he confronts his prosecutor’s.
“God forbid that I should justify you...” Job not only refused to be accused but he was accusing the accusers, for their malicious as well as unjustified judgment on his life. He continues, “Till I die I will not remove mine integrity.” Obstinate and self-righteous fellow, that Job.
We know that Job’s antagonist’s were mere instrument’s of the Accuser. That seems to be Lucifer’s most delightful game, bringing charge against God’s own. Most of us walk about feeling this weight of accusation, the feeling that we are sinful, inadequate and indeed, just downright wretched in the sight of the One who created us. Job would have none of it. Though he did not understand the circumstances that caused the world to crumble around him, and he categorically wasn’t going to let the false accusations of other’s determine his future.
To be sure, we must confess our wrongdoings when we have clearly made a mistake. Jehovah did deal with Job’s attitude as his dialogue about the Almighty crossed the line in questioning God’s integrity. In the end, however, God supported Job’s claims of righteousness and dealt harshly with Job’s fussy friends (42:7-9).
Courage to claim righteousness in face of public opinion -- from your peers, your church, or even your own theology, is not an easy thing. That’s what makes Job such a unique person in Scripture. If you know you are right, don’t take the easy way out by yielding your integrity. Hold on to your righteousness, as long as you have breath.
“My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.”
Job is one of my favorite Bible characters and I use him often in my teaching. Here was a man who greatly suffered and was accused by his friends, and even his wife, for wrongdoing. Their counsel was he needed to acknowledge his sin and repent before God. Job steadfastly refused to admit to a wrong that he was not guilty of. I have often thought it took a great deal of courage for him to stand up against majority opinion. How devastating it must have been for him to listen to misinformed people moralize and cast judgment. No doubt it was also offensive. A lesser man would have yielded, asking for forgiveness, coping a plea of having committed an unknown sin. Not Job. He would not have any of it.
If you did not know the conclusion of the life of Job, his words in this verse would seem arrogant. In the preceding verse he seems to be defiant as he confronts his prosecutor’s.
“God forbid that I should justify you...” Job not only refused to be accused but he was accusing the accusers, for their malicious as well as unjustified judgment on his life. He continues, “Till I die I will not remove mine integrity.” Obstinate and self-righteous fellow, that Job.
We know that Job’s antagonist’s were mere instrument’s of the Accuser. That seems to be Lucifer’s most delightful game, bringing charge against God’s own. Most of us walk about feeling this weight of accusation, the feeling that we are sinful, inadequate and indeed, just downright wretched in the sight of the One who created us. Job would have none of it. Though he did not understand the circumstances that caused the world to crumble around him, and he categorically wasn’t going to let the false accusations of other’s determine his future.
To be sure, we must confess our wrongdoings when we have clearly made a mistake. Jehovah did deal with Job’s attitude as his dialogue about the Almighty crossed the line in questioning God’s integrity. In the end, however, God supported Job’s claims of righteousness and dealt harshly with Job’s fussy friends (42:7-9).
Courage to claim righteousness in face of public opinion -- from your peers, your church, or even your own theology, is not an easy thing. That’s what makes Job such a unique person in Scripture. If you know you are right, don’t take the easy way out by yielding your integrity. Hold on to your righteousness, as long as you have breath.
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Non-Profit Venture
In my classes I require my students to give me “interactive papers.” I give them an article to read, on subjects that range from culture theory, animism, living overseas etc., to supplement classroom lectures. By requiring them to interact with the articles they are forced to think through the issues of the article, not just read it. It’s a good practice, and something I do often in my own reading.
I’m presently reading, Finishing Well: What People Who REALLY Live Do Differently, by Bob Buford. In interviewing several prominent people who are living beyond success to significance, Peter Drucker makes this comment on the motivation for those who are involved in non-profit activities.
Business supplies…either good or services. Government controls. A business has discharged its task when the customer buys the product, pays for it, and is satisfied with it. Government has discharged its function when its policies are effective. The “non-profit”” institution neither supplies goods or services nor controls. Its “product” is neither a pair of shoes nor an effective regulation. ITS PRODUCT IS A CHANGED HUMAN BEING [emphasis mine]. The nonprofit institutions are human-change agents. Their “product” is a cured patient, a child that learns, a young man or woman grown into a self-respecting adult; a changed human life altogether.
As I read Drucker’s words I thought, “That’s what I do.” While some may call me a missionary, a teacher or trainer in cross-cultural church planting, one could also say that I am in a non-profit business to change the lives of human beings. Thirty-five years ago I went into ministry for one reason, to make a difference in the lives of others by telling them about them about Jesus Christ, and the peace that He gives to those who accept Him as their Savior. It’s not an occupation that is monetarily profitable and, like all in my profession, finding people to support my non-profit activities is challenging and wearing. But the rewards of my work, and those who support this effort, go far beyond financial benefits. God has called all of us to live lives of significance...to be change agents in making a difference in the lives of others. It’s a noble calling. It’s a noble pursuit.
The next time you see a missionary presentation, perhaps it would be helpful not to see them as merely trying to raise support. Perhaps a better perspective is to see them as a member of a non-profit venture seeking ways to help people, both now and for eternity. You will get a tax write-off and help point people to the Savior in the process.
I’m presently reading, Finishing Well: What People Who REALLY Live Do Differently, by Bob Buford. In interviewing several prominent people who are living beyond success to significance, Peter Drucker makes this comment on the motivation for those who are involved in non-profit activities.
Business supplies…either good or services. Government controls. A business has discharged its task when the customer buys the product, pays for it, and is satisfied with it. Government has discharged its function when its policies are effective. The “non-profit”” institution neither supplies goods or services nor controls. Its “product” is neither a pair of shoes nor an effective regulation. ITS PRODUCT IS A CHANGED HUMAN BEING [emphasis mine]. The nonprofit institutions are human-change agents. Their “product” is a cured patient, a child that learns, a young man or woman grown into a self-respecting adult; a changed human life altogether.
As I read Drucker’s words I thought, “That’s what I do.” While some may call me a missionary, a teacher or trainer in cross-cultural church planting, one could also say that I am in a non-profit business to change the lives of human beings. Thirty-five years ago I went into ministry for one reason, to make a difference in the lives of others by telling them about them about Jesus Christ, and the peace that He gives to those who accept Him as their Savior. It’s not an occupation that is monetarily profitable and, like all in my profession, finding people to support my non-profit activities is challenging and wearing. But the rewards of my work, and those who support this effort, go far beyond financial benefits. God has called all of us to live lives of significance...to be change agents in making a difference in the lives of others. It’s a noble calling. It’s a noble pursuit.
The next time you see a missionary presentation, perhaps it would be helpful not to see them as merely trying to raise support. Perhaps a better perspective is to see them as a member of a non-profit venture seeking ways to help people, both now and for eternity. You will get a tax write-off and help point people to the Savior in the process.
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Bridge or Barrier to God?
Is it possible that the church is sometimes an obstacle to world evangelism?
The church (small “c” referring to the local body of believers) is both a bridge and a barrier throughout the world. I’ve seen it in every country in which I’ve had the privilege of working. The primary purpose of the church is equipping believers for ministry and for their spiritual growth (Ephesians 4:12); yet in many places, it has taken on the role of gatekeeper into the Kingdom. Becoming a follower of Christ seems no longer to be a matter of faith but a matter of taking on the identity of the Christian culture as defined by the local assembly making the rules. Let me explain:
Several years ago in Kenya, some new believers asked me if it was okay for them to use the drum in their worship. The early missionaries, as well as many churches in that area, believed that it was inappropriate since the tribe used the drum in their festivals. Witch doctors also used it. I always thought the indigenous form of singing was much more appropriate than singing the Swahili translation of “How Firm a Foundation,” so I told them using a drum was a non-issue.
Almost every new believer wanted to ask me questions about behavioral issues for Christians—issues with questions such as: was it okay to baptize a man who had ten wives; could they continue to drink blood as a part of their diet; should they cover their naked bodies? While all of these subjects are interesting and perhaps worthy of discussion, I have always wondered about the message we were sending to those without Christ? If behavior was what the lost world focused on in terms of becoming a Christian, was our message of faith hindered by our stance on works? As they relate to salvation, do these issues even matter?
Today the trend in the North American church is to support nationals; however, I contend that, because of the Christian culture among nationals, they are more often than not an obstacle to the lost. Can a Sikh believer still wear his turban after salvation? Can a Hindu woman continue to wear a “bindi” (dot on her forehead)? Can a Buddhist still revere his ancestors? Many national churches forbid such behavior—not because they understand the cultural practices, but because they are bound by the culture of a faith that dictates particulars which they believe are biblical principles.
In the West we have fought the cultural behavior war for years. Can a Christian go to movies (doesn’t seem to be a much of an issue these days), have a beer, or get a tattoo? In ancient times, it was the issue of eating pork or being circumcised. In some churches in Russia, a woman cannot come into the assembly without a head covering; and in Viet Nam, one must wear a white shirt if he is going to speak to the congregation. Some Indian Christians greet everyone with “Praise the Lord,” while some won’t shake the hand of a non-believer lest they be defiled.
I have a friend who is 25 years my junior and who became a Christian through the witness of his friends at a university. He had resisted the church and would never darken its door to hear the gospel. Soon after his conversion, his friends gathered in a park, smoked cigars, and lifted their glasses of bourbon in celebration of one who became a follower of Christ. He’s now a missionary, and, yes, he still drinks bourbon. While he is careful not to offend the brethren, his witness among those who are not yet followers is strong.
My generation has a difficult time with such a story, but post-modern Christians don’t seem to blur the lines between the issues of salvation and perceived proper behavior. As a friend of sinners, I wonder if Jesus lifted a glass of wine; He certainly was accused of associating with those who did (Lk. 7:33,34).
In the country where I live, which has a Christian population of less than two percent and in five years is projected to be less, it’s important that we train nationals to think beyond the culture of their faith. It’s true that every believer is to be a new creature in Christ, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that being a believer mandates giving up one’s cultural heritage. Training nationals goes beyond just exegeting the Scriptures; it also means exegeting the context. Until the church understands that, they will continue to be more of a barrier than a bridge to the Good News of Christ.
The church (small “c” referring to the local body of believers) is both a bridge and a barrier throughout the world. I’ve seen it in every country in which I’ve had the privilege of working. The primary purpose of the church is equipping believers for ministry and for their spiritual growth (Ephesians 4:12); yet in many places, it has taken on the role of gatekeeper into the Kingdom. Becoming a follower of Christ seems no longer to be a matter of faith but a matter of taking on the identity of the Christian culture as defined by the local assembly making the rules. Let me explain:
Several years ago in Kenya, some new believers asked me if it was okay for them to use the drum in their worship. The early missionaries, as well as many churches in that area, believed that it was inappropriate since the tribe used the drum in their festivals. Witch doctors also used it. I always thought the indigenous form of singing was much more appropriate than singing the Swahili translation of “How Firm a Foundation,” so I told them using a drum was a non-issue.
Almost every new believer wanted to ask me questions about behavioral issues for Christians—issues with questions such as: was it okay to baptize a man who had ten wives; could they continue to drink blood as a part of their diet; should they cover their naked bodies? While all of these subjects are interesting and perhaps worthy of discussion, I have always wondered about the message we were sending to those without Christ? If behavior was what the lost world focused on in terms of becoming a Christian, was our message of faith hindered by our stance on works? As they relate to salvation, do these issues even matter?
Today the trend in the North American church is to support nationals; however, I contend that, because of the Christian culture among nationals, they are more often than not an obstacle to the lost. Can a Sikh believer still wear his turban after salvation? Can a Hindu woman continue to wear a “bindi” (dot on her forehead)? Can a Buddhist still revere his ancestors? Many national churches forbid such behavior—not because they understand the cultural practices, but because they are bound by the culture of a faith that dictates particulars which they believe are biblical principles.
In the West we have fought the cultural behavior war for years. Can a Christian go to movies (doesn’t seem to be a much of an issue these days), have a beer, or get a tattoo? In ancient times, it was the issue of eating pork or being circumcised. In some churches in Russia, a woman cannot come into the assembly without a head covering; and in Viet Nam, one must wear a white shirt if he is going to speak to the congregation. Some Indian Christians greet everyone with “Praise the Lord,” while some won’t shake the hand of a non-believer lest they be defiled.
I have a friend who is 25 years my junior and who became a Christian through the witness of his friends at a university. He had resisted the church and would never darken its door to hear the gospel. Soon after his conversion, his friends gathered in a park, smoked cigars, and lifted their glasses of bourbon in celebration of one who became a follower of Christ. He’s now a missionary, and, yes, he still drinks bourbon. While he is careful not to offend the brethren, his witness among those who are not yet followers is strong.
My generation has a difficult time with such a story, but post-modern Christians don’t seem to blur the lines between the issues of salvation and perceived proper behavior. As a friend of sinners, I wonder if Jesus lifted a glass of wine; He certainly was accused of associating with those who did (Lk. 7:33,34).
In the country where I live, which has a Christian population of less than two percent and in five years is projected to be less, it’s important that we train nationals to think beyond the culture of their faith. It’s true that every believer is to be a new creature in Christ, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that being a believer mandates giving up one’s cultural heritage. Training nationals goes beyond just exegeting the Scriptures; it also means exegeting the context. Until the church understands that, they will continue to be more of a barrier than a bridge to the Good News of Christ.
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Heading Home?
Another flight, another trip back to base. Home doesn’t seem accurate as our flat is not either where I am from nor where I want to retire. But then, where is home? I guess it’s true what they say, home is where your heart is and right now, my heart is in the part of the world where there is less than two percent Christian. My wife is in Delhi, our kids and grandkids are in Oklahoma/Arkansas. It will be good to get back to base as it’s been a long month away from Sandy. Though she has been busy with her bible study group and I have been occupied with students at the Center for Intercultural Training in North Carolina, the separation gets a bit stale after the third week. I get tired of long flights (thirty-six hours from Arkansas to India), haggling for decent seats (anything but in the middle), the long lines at immigration, the incredible long wait for my luggage and the one hour taxi ride back to the house in the middle of the night. I know some people think travel is exciting, but I lost that thrill one million air miles back. I wonder how long I will keep doing this? I wonder why I do it now?
In the grand scheme of things I realize that my teaching looks pretty insignificant. But that’s not what I thought about looking into the faces of my class at CIT. Fifteen people getting ready to move overseas to places like Kyrgyzstan, Papua Indonesia and Thailand. For a brief moment, hardly a breath in man’s existence on earth, I gave my students my best in how to live and serve Christ overseas. I challenged their theologies, their worldview assumptions as well as help them think through the issues of how to do their ministries. In the course of teaching “Equipping For Cross-Cultural Life,” I also gave my thoughts on raising kids, working as a team and the future of North American missions. Perhaps what I do will make a minor ripple in what God is doing for His honor and purpose throughout the world. I’m not trying to make a statement nor pursuing a place in history. I’m a bit player, like us all, in the drama in time and space. If it works for Him, it has to work for me.
In the grand scheme of things I realize that my teaching looks pretty insignificant. But that’s not what I thought about looking into the faces of my class at CIT. Fifteen people getting ready to move overseas to places like Kyrgyzstan, Papua Indonesia and Thailand. For a brief moment, hardly a breath in man’s existence on earth, I gave my students my best in how to live and serve Christ overseas. I challenged their theologies, their worldview assumptions as well as help them think through the issues of how to do their ministries. In the course of teaching “Equipping For Cross-Cultural Life,” I also gave my thoughts on raising kids, working as a team and the future of North American missions. Perhaps what I do will make a minor ripple in what God is doing for His honor and purpose throughout the world. I’m not trying to make a statement nor pursuing a place in history. I’m a bit player, like us all, in the drama in time and space. If it works for Him, it has to work for me.
Saturday, February 19, 2005
Reaping Where We Have Not Sown
Sitting on the veranda of the Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi, I listened to a visiting pastor from the U.S. talk about his reason for being in Kenya.
“My vision,” he said, “is to work among the harvest fields where God is working and where people quickly respond to the message of Christ.”
The pastor was sincere in his missions approach, and, though I don’t believe it’s missiologically sound, I understand why he and others are attracted to what is called “harvest ministries.”
There are two fundamental reasons why people are engaged in harvest ministries: one, they believe it is biblically based; two, there is a cultural motivation.
Theological Argument - In Matthew 10:14, Jesus instructed His disciples that if they encountered resistance as they went from town-to-town proclaiming the Kingdom message, they were to shake the dust of that city from their feet and move on to another venue. This principle, some would argue, is an indication that God would have us take His message to those who are receptive. In other words, if a people or country is resistant or hostile to the message, move on to people and places where the message will fall on fertile soil.
In support of this biblical interpretation, the primary theme of Henry Blackaby’s book Experiencing God (Broadman 1998) is that the church is to find a place where God is working and join Him. By implication, if God is not working among the Hindu or Muslim people, neither should the church. People with a strong Reformed theology would make the argument that, technically, we should be serving where God is calling His elect; that would preclude us going to those nations that are decidedly anti-Christian.
Market Share - Culturally, harvest ministries are often referred to as the “big bang for the buck” philosophy. Born out of a Western mindset where success is gauged by how large a local church is or how many people are converted, people are drawn to ministries where they can experience instant gratification. If a congregation can be established overseas in a year and become a super church within five years, such quick results make for an attractive ministry. Conversely, ministries among resistant people groups, where the establishing of a church is calculated in decades rather than years, are not seen as blessed of God. With limited mission dollars available, it seems reasonable, so the argument goes, that the church should invest in missions projects where they will receive greater results for each dollar spent.
Market or Missions?
While harvest ministries are appealing, missiologically it is weak, both scripturally and practically, to come to the above conclusions.
From Scripture - The Apostle Paul, the first cross-cultural missionary in the New Testament, stated that his ministry philosophy was to take the Gospel where Christ was not named, as he didn’t want to build on another man’s work (Rom. 15:20). As he traveled throughout Asia declaring the Good News to the Gentiles, he stated a fundamental agricultural principle which is a metaphor for Christian ministry: some plant, others water, but God gives the increase (I Cor. 3:6-9).
If Paul had only gone to the places of harvest, there would never have been a church established in Ephesus, Corinth, or other countless cities he visited as recorded in the book of Acts. The only place that seemed to be suited for a harvest ministry in the days of the early church was Jerusalem. That was short-lived, however, as persecution soon scattered believers to the point that even Jerusalem was no longer “ripe” for a great harvest.
The Great Commission (Matt. 28:19,20) mandate is not limited to those who are receptive. Rather we are admonished to go into all the world, not just those parts that are experiencing harvest. Paul writes in his letter to the Romans that the nations are not believers because they have not yet heard; and they have not heard because no one has gone to them to give the Good News message; and the lack of messengers is due to a lack of support in sending people to deliver that Good News message (Rom. 10:13-15).
In our day, the two billion who have not yet heard of Jesus may not have heard because we are sending too many to those who have already heard and not enough to those who are not considered to be in the harvest field category. Statistically, 95% of Christian work is among people and in countries where there is already ministry activity, leaving only five percent of God’s laborers working among one third of the world’s population who are without a Gospel witness.
The Hard Work - Practically speaking, it is impossible to have a harvest without first being engaged in planting. The reason Kenya, Korea, and the Philippines are harvest fields today is that someone took upon themselves the task of planting many years ago. No one knows if there will be a harvest among any particular people group or country; that’s God’s work. One thing, however, is certain: there will never be a harvest until someone digs in the hard soil, breaks the ground, and plants the seed.
While I am not opposed to those who want to be engaged in harvest ministry, my view is that there will always be plenty of laborers to do reaping where they have not sown. Wherever there are results, I am confident that there will be enough volunteers to get their piece of the prize. The real eternal “bang for the buck” goes to those who are willing to break hard ground—those who water the dry soil and wait with expectation for God’s increase.
“My vision,” he said, “is to work among the harvest fields where God is working and where people quickly respond to the message of Christ.”
The pastor was sincere in his missions approach, and, though I don’t believe it’s missiologically sound, I understand why he and others are attracted to what is called “harvest ministries.”
There are two fundamental reasons why people are engaged in harvest ministries: one, they believe it is biblically based; two, there is a cultural motivation.
Theological Argument - In Matthew 10:14, Jesus instructed His disciples that if they encountered resistance as they went from town-to-town proclaiming the Kingdom message, they were to shake the dust of that city from their feet and move on to another venue. This principle, some would argue, is an indication that God would have us take His message to those who are receptive. In other words, if a people or country is resistant or hostile to the message, move on to people and places where the message will fall on fertile soil.
In support of this biblical interpretation, the primary theme of Henry Blackaby’s book Experiencing God (Broadman 1998) is that the church is to find a place where God is working and join Him. By implication, if God is not working among the Hindu or Muslim people, neither should the church. People with a strong Reformed theology would make the argument that, technically, we should be serving where God is calling His elect; that would preclude us going to those nations that are decidedly anti-Christian.
Market Share - Culturally, harvest ministries are often referred to as the “big bang for the buck” philosophy. Born out of a Western mindset where success is gauged by how large a local church is or how many people are converted, people are drawn to ministries where they can experience instant gratification. If a congregation can be established overseas in a year and become a super church within five years, such quick results make for an attractive ministry. Conversely, ministries among resistant people groups, where the establishing of a church is calculated in decades rather than years, are not seen as blessed of God. With limited mission dollars available, it seems reasonable, so the argument goes, that the church should invest in missions projects where they will receive greater results for each dollar spent.
Market or Missions?
While harvest ministries are appealing, missiologically it is weak, both scripturally and practically, to come to the above conclusions.
From Scripture - The Apostle Paul, the first cross-cultural missionary in the New Testament, stated that his ministry philosophy was to take the Gospel where Christ was not named, as he didn’t want to build on another man’s work (Rom. 15:20). As he traveled throughout Asia declaring the Good News to the Gentiles, he stated a fundamental agricultural principle which is a metaphor for Christian ministry: some plant, others water, but God gives the increase (I Cor. 3:6-9).
If Paul had only gone to the places of harvest, there would never have been a church established in Ephesus, Corinth, or other countless cities he visited as recorded in the book of Acts. The only place that seemed to be suited for a harvest ministry in the days of the early church was Jerusalem. That was short-lived, however, as persecution soon scattered believers to the point that even Jerusalem was no longer “ripe” for a great harvest.
The Great Commission (Matt. 28:19,20) mandate is not limited to those who are receptive. Rather we are admonished to go into all the world, not just those parts that are experiencing harvest. Paul writes in his letter to the Romans that the nations are not believers because they have not yet heard; and they have not heard because no one has gone to them to give the Good News message; and the lack of messengers is due to a lack of support in sending people to deliver that Good News message (Rom. 10:13-15).
In our day, the two billion who have not yet heard of Jesus may not have heard because we are sending too many to those who have already heard and not enough to those who are not considered to be in the harvest field category. Statistically, 95% of Christian work is among people and in countries where there is already ministry activity, leaving only five percent of God’s laborers working among one third of the world’s population who are without a Gospel witness.
The Hard Work - Practically speaking, it is impossible to have a harvest without first being engaged in planting. The reason Kenya, Korea, and the Philippines are harvest fields today is that someone took upon themselves the task of planting many years ago. No one knows if there will be a harvest among any particular people group or country; that’s God’s work. One thing, however, is certain: there will never be a harvest until someone digs in the hard soil, breaks the ground, and plants the seed.
While I am not opposed to those who want to be engaged in harvest ministry, my view is that there will always be plenty of laborers to do reaping where they have not sown. Wherever there are results, I am confident that there will be enough volunteers to get their piece of the prize. The real eternal “bang for the buck” goes to those who are willing to break hard ground—those who water the dry soil and wait with expectation for God’s increase.
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Who Are You?
I was sitting on the platform ready to be introduced when the pastor leaned over and asked, “How should I introduce you? You’re not a missionary anymore, are you?”
It was true, I recently moved from Kenya to the states to establish the Center for Intercultural Training in North Carolina, but I had never thought about my title.
“I’m involved in missions more than anytime in my life,” I replied, “so I guess I’m still a missionary.”
Since then I’ve thought about how to explain, in a word, what I do. The function of what I do is many things.
EDUCATOR/TEACHER? I do teach and I do try to educate people on how to do their work in a cross-cultural environment. However, a teacher leaves the impression of a sterile classroom environment. More than academics, my classes are dynamic with real life illustrations of how to take the Gospel across cultural boundaries.
COACH? A coach doesn’t actually hit the ball or throw a pass. He’s on the sideline giving instructions on how to best play the game. In many respects that’s what I do, but unfortunately my coaching is for a limited time, not on their playing field, but in the locker room before they hit the turf.
TRAINER? It’s a popular term and I do try to train people to think through the issues of their ministries. But a trainer, much like a coach, has the connotation of being alongside the trainee.
CONSULTANT? This is a good description of my role. In teaching or coaching, I am in fact consulting people, giving them advice on how to best do their ministries. But the term doesn’t sound quite ministerial and too secular.
So, what am I? Probably a missionary consultant is the best portrayal of what I do. However, no matter the title, I’m more involved in missions than anytime in my life.
It was true, I recently moved from Kenya to the states to establish the Center for Intercultural Training in North Carolina, but I had never thought about my title.
“I’m involved in missions more than anytime in my life,” I replied, “so I guess I’m still a missionary.”
Since then I’ve thought about how to explain, in a word, what I do. The function of what I do is many things.
EDUCATOR/TEACHER? I do teach and I do try to educate people on how to do their work in a cross-cultural environment. However, a teacher leaves the impression of a sterile classroom environment. More than academics, my classes are dynamic with real life illustrations of how to take the Gospel across cultural boundaries.
COACH? A coach doesn’t actually hit the ball or throw a pass. He’s on the sideline giving instructions on how to best play the game. In many respects that’s what I do, but unfortunately my coaching is for a limited time, not on their playing field, but in the locker room before they hit the turf.
TRAINER? It’s a popular term and I do try to train people to think through the issues of their ministries. But a trainer, much like a coach, has the connotation of being alongside the trainee.
CONSULTANT? This is a good description of my role. In teaching or coaching, I am in fact consulting people, giving them advice on how to best do their ministries. But the term doesn’t sound quite ministerial and too secular.
So, what am I? Probably a missionary consultant is the best portrayal of what I do. However, no matter the title, I’m more involved in missions than anytime in my life.
Monday, November 15, 2004
A Dog Named Spot
My Dad and I were watching TV sometime back and during a commercial break there was a rather obnoxious character selling furniture. After the commercial Dad commented that there must be good money in selling furniture, as they sure run a lot of TV ads. We then talked about what goofy things people do to sell products…especially cars. Seems like every local car dealer on TV is yelling, running around the parking lot, waving their arms just to get you to see their ad, and “come on down” and take a look at those fabulous deals!
Last week a friend of mine came through the country and I called him at the airport hotel where he was staying. He was telling me about the conference he and two members of his church had attended. He was excited to tell me there were over 9,000 adults in attendance and that those national pastors were planting churches all over the nation. He was excited. I was excited for my friend.
When he asked me how I was doing I felt embarrassed. “I’m doing good, “ I replied, hesitantly. “I just finished teaching 23 M.A. students at a leading seminary in cross-cultural studies; I’m writing more material and getting ready to go to Cambodia to teach.”
“Sounds interesting,” he said in a tone that sounded less than interested. I hung up the phone and thought, “I need a dog named Spot.”
Okay, I admit, my work is not as glamorous as others. And yes, I do wish people would understand and even appreciate what I do. Those 23 students I teach will one day be the leaders that will put on the events that my friends will pay $10,000 to be a part of for four days. The nationals who attend those conferences are the ones I have had a part in shaping and forming to take the Gospel across cultural barriers. Important and vital work? Yes, but no balloons.
There are all types of analogies I could give, but it would sound self-serving, or perhaps more accurately, self-protective. Deep down inside most people recognize that “big” is not synonymous with “anointed,” in spite of how they interpret the “Prayer of Jabez.” Jesus' ministry didn't have the look of a clearance-sale, though the crowds were forever asking Him to show them another miracle. The reality is, in God’s sovereignty He uses the big talkers, like Peter, and those people like Thaddeus, who no one knows anything about. Saying, “It isn’t fair,” is a waste of energy and a bit whinny. The world is thus and nothing is going to change it.
My friend really does get it, for which I am grateful. He’s been in the “business” long enough to know the difference between hype and reality; between those who faithfully serve Christ with little fanfare versus those who can’t say much about their ministry because they really aren’t doing anything. I do wish there were more discerning Christians like him, and, I must admit, there are moments when I really do wish I had a dog named Spot.
When I was a kid growing up in Los Angeles I remember the Cal Worthington commercials --“HERE’S CAL WORTHINGTON, AND HIS DOG SPOT.” “Spot” was a camel, monkey or elephant that cowboy Cal would ride . All that to sell a Ford! (go to www.calworthington.com to enjoy his commericals)
SHOWTIME!
Last week a friend of mine came through the country and I called him at the airport hotel where he was staying. He was telling me about the conference he and two members of his church had attended. He was excited to tell me there were over 9,000 adults in attendance and that those national pastors were planting churches all over the nation. He was excited. I was excited for my friend.
When he asked me how I was doing I felt embarrassed. “I’m doing good, “ I replied, hesitantly. “I just finished teaching 23 M.A. students at a leading seminary in cross-cultural studies; I’m writing more material and getting ready to go to Cambodia to teach.”
“Sounds interesting,” he said in a tone that sounded less than interested. I hung up the phone and thought, “I need a dog named Spot.”
Okay, I admit, my work is not as glamorous as others. And yes, I do wish people would understand and even appreciate what I do. Those 23 students I teach will one day be the leaders that will put on the events that my friends will pay $10,000 to be a part of for four days. The nationals who attend those conferences are the ones I have had a part in shaping and forming to take the Gospel across cultural barriers. Important and vital work? Yes, but no balloons.
There are all types of analogies I could give, but it would sound self-serving, or perhaps more accurately, self-protective. Deep down inside most people recognize that “big” is not synonymous with “anointed,” in spite of how they interpret the “Prayer of Jabez.” Jesus' ministry didn't have the look of a clearance-sale, though the crowds were forever asking Him to show them another miracle. The reality is, in God’s sovereignty He uses the big talkers, like Peter, and those people like Thaddeus, who no one knows anything about. Saying, “It isn’t fair,” is a waste of energy and a bit whinny. The world is thus and nothing is going to change it.
My friend really does get it, for which I am grateful. He’s been in the “business” long enough to know the difference between hype and reality; between those who faithfully serve Christ with little fanfare versus those who can’t say much about their ministry because they really aren’t doing anything. I do wish there were more discerning Christians like him, and, I must admit, there are moments when I really do wish I had a dog named Spot.
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Birthday Note
At my age, 58 today, birthdays are not fun, but challenging. I’m at that stage in life where time seems to fly and I can’t quite keep pace as I use to. The noting of another year of life that has passed is, like New Year’s, a time to reflect. It’s also a time for resolve. If God gives me my three score and ten, I have 12 years left. Grace may give me more; the frailty of body and unpredictability of life may see me fall short.
Today I am reminded that each day should be lived the same. Courage, discipline, a sense of humor, gratefulness. In looking over my collection of quotes, I found this one and found inspiring for the first day of my 59th year. Walter Anderson in his book, The Greatest Risk of All, interviews Andrew Vachss.
“If you were asked to advise someone on how to take a risk,", I asked, "what would you suggest?"
"I'm sure I'd ask him whether he knew what his net was."
"His net?"
"Yes, there's a big difference between being on a tightrope with a net and without a net. The trick is to reach into yourself to discover what your net is. Take you for example. You take a lot of risks as an editor. Let's say one of them causes you to lose your job. You'd still be yourself, still have your family, your talent, your experience—your NET. Also, you would know what you have at risk. No one should take a risk unless they truly understand what's at stake. Blindly leaping out of a window is not risk-taking. It's suicide, period. The question is, what are you willing to lose? When kids ask me about fighting, I give them simple rules: If you can take the worst possible result, then fight. If not, run."
As a Christian, my “net” of course, is my faith in the Master. Everything I am or hope to be rests in my relationship with Him. I say that with a bit of hesitancy, as I am not presupposed to determinism, reductionism or flippancy. To not recognize Him as my “net” would be dishonoring, arrogant and foolish.
Not knowing the time when we will be “no more”, as the Indians like to say, is not the issue. The crucial question is what I am willing to risk as I finish out my course? As I chart my steps forward I pray for wisdom, knowing that no matter what the future holds I have THE net who is always there to break the fall.
Today I am reminded that each day should be lived the same. Courage, discipline, a sense of humor, gratefulness. In looking over my collection of quotes, I found this one and found inspiring for the first day of my 59th year. Walter Anderson in his book, The Greatest Risk of All, interviews Andrew Vachss.
“If you were asked to advise someone on how to take a risk,", I asked, "what would you suggest?"
"I'm sure I'd ask him whether he knew what his net was."
"His net?"
"Yes, there's a big difference between being on a tightrope with a net and without a net. The trick is to reach into yourself to discover what your net is. Take you for example. You take a lot of risks as an editor. Let's say one of them causes you to lose your job. You'd still be yourself, still have your family, your talent, your experience—your NET. Also, you would know what you have at risk. No one should take a risk unless they truly understand what's at stake. Blindly leaping out of a window is not risk-taking. It's suicide, period. The question is, what are you willing to lose? When kids ask me about fighting, I give them simple rules: If you can take the worst possible result, then fight. If not, run."
As a Christian, my “net” of course, is my faith in the Master. Everything I am or hope to be rests in my relationship with Him. I say that with a bit of hesitancy, as I am not presupposed to determinism, reductionism or flippancy. To not recognize Him as my “net” would be dishonoring, arrogant and foolish.
Not knowing the time when we will be “no more”, as the Indians like to say, is not the issue. The crucial question is what I am willing to risk as I finish out my course? As I chart my steps forward I pray for wisdom, knowing that no matter what the future holds I have THE net who is always there to break the fall.
Sunday, November 07, 2004
Emotional Abuse
Reading the messages on a group-list of pastors recently, I came across this post.
“Tonight my wife and I are going to a Sandi Patti concert and tomorrow night we will have ‘The Nations of the World Children’s Choir’ coming to our church.”
My immediate thought was, “Do people still pay money to go see Sandi Patti?” Why not? I’d still pay, though not much, to hear Fats Domino sing or go to a Clint Black or Eagles concert (I have a very eclectic taste in music). Patti does, or did, have a wonderful voice, but I couldn’t see my wife dragging me to a concert hall filled with arm waving women for two hours.
My second thought was, “This pastor is high on emotion.” Two nights of bawling for Jesus is just a bit much. Uplifting, no doubt, but I would think emotionally and physically draining.
I am not against emotion as it’s a part of who we are as God’s creation. However, today’s church has become addicted to emotion to the detriment of having reason and a sound mind. In Christianity today if the worship service doesn’t grab you emotionally the pastor’s sermon has little chance of reaching the soul of the congregation, or so goes the theory. I concede that good singing can make up for bad preaching, but it’s also possible that good preaching can be overshadowed by the performance that precedes it.
I am especially incensed by the “Nations of the World Children’s Choir.” I have no idea who they are sponsored by as there are many such road shows touring the states these days. They go by different names, “African Children’s Choir,” “Romanian Orphans Choir” etc., and they are brought into churches for one express purpose, to raise money by raising emotions.
My brother’s church had such a choir last year at their mission’s conference. He said it was pitiful as the kids “all stood up like trained little monkey’s.” At the conclusion of their performance one little orphan came to the microphone and said in his broken English (which is a sure wallet opener), “I love Jesus, and I love you, too.” At that point they all jumped off stage and went throughout the congregation giving people hugs. The church was awash with sobs and, of course, at that poignant moment, the leader makes his pitch for supporting missions.
There is something unseemly about any person who emotionally manipulates people to support a cause, even a worthy one. It’s even more despicable when the shepherd of the flock fleeces his own sheep by exploiting kids from developing countries. Certainly the Church isn’t the only culprit in emotional manipulation. The Red Cross, United Nations and the Peace Corps, all work from an emotional position to raise funds. It just seems to me, and you can call me heartless if you’d like, that the Church shouldn’t have to stoop to emotional tactics to do what they should do for sake of the Gospel.
In an ideal world, you could argue, we all should do what’s right and not have to be tricked into doing right. But people don’t give to missions because it’s right, they give out of what they can see and feel. No doubt those who have these children’s choirs have raised a lot of money for the kingdom (though I’d love to see what percentage of the money raised actually goes overseas), but do the end always justify the means? Have missions now just become the art of raising funds based on who can touch the heart? Have pastors become so frustrated by the lack of commitment by their people to the Great Commission that they must manipulate them to do what they should be doing anyway? It will take someone with a great deal more wisdom than I have to answer these questions. I want my heart to be in the right place, but I will guard it against those who want to coerce it for their cause.
“Tonight my wife and I are going to a Sandi Patti concert and tomorrow night we will have ‘The Nations of the World Children’s Choir’ coming to our church.”
My immediate thought was, “Do people still pay money to go see Sandi Patti?” Why not? I’d still pay, though not much, to hear Fats Domino sing or go to a Clint Black or Eagles concert (I have a very eclectic taste in music). Patti does, or did, have a wonderful voice, but I couldn’t see my wife dragging me to a concert hall filled with arm waving women for two hours.
My second thought was, “This pastor is high on emotion.” Two nights of bawling for Jesus is just a bit much. Uplifting, no doubt, but I would think emotionally and physically draining.
I am not against emotion as it’s a part of who we are as God’s creation. However, today’s church has become addicted to emotion to the detriment of having reason and a sound mind. In Christianity today if the worship service doesn’t grab you emotionally the pastor’s sermon has little chance of reaching the soul of the congregation, or so goes the theory. I concede that good singing can make up for bad preaching, but it’s also possible that good preaching can be overshadowed by the performance that precedes it.
I am especially incensed by the “Nations of the World Children’s Choir.” I have no idea who they are sponsored by as there are many such road shows touring the states these days. They go by different names, “African Children’s Choir,” “Romanian Orphans Choir” etc., and they are brought into churches for one express purpose, to raise money by raising emotions.
My brother’s church had such a choir last year at their mission’s conference. He said it was pitiful as the kids “all stood up like trained little monkey’s.” At the conclusion of their performance one little orphan came to the microphone and said in his broken English (which is a sure wallet opener), “I love Jesus, and I love you, too.” At that point they all jumped off stage and went throughout the congregation giving people hugs. The church was awash with sobs and, of course, at that poignant moment, the leader makes his pitch for supporting missions.
There is something unseemly about any person who emotionally manipulates people to support a cause, even a worthy one. It’s even more despicable when the shepherd of the flock fleeces his own sheep by exploiting kids from developing countries. Certainly the Church isn’t the only culprit in emotional manipulation. The Red Cross, United Nations and the Peace Corps, all work from an emotional position to raise funds. It just seems to me, and you can call me heartless if you’d like, that the Church shouldn’t have to stoop to emotional tactics to do what they should do for sake of the Gospel.
In an ideal world, you could argue, we all should do what’s right and not have to be tricked into doing right. But people don’t give to missions because it’s right, they give out of what they can see and feel. No doubt those who have these children’s choirs have raised a lot of money for the kingdom (though I’d love to see what percentage of the money raised actually goes overseas), but do the end always justify the means? Have missions now just become the art of raising funds based on who can touch the heart? Have pastors become so frustrated by the lack of commitment by their people to the Great Commission that they must manipulate them to do what they should be doing anyway? It will take someone with a great deal more wisdom than I have to answer these questions. I want my heart to be in the right place, but I will guard it against those who want to coerce it for their cause.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
Post Election Thoughts
I guess I’m like many Americans, I’m so glad the elections are over. The pre-election commentary was exhausting. As an expatriate, there is not much sympathy for a conservative like me as world opinion is solidly against GW. Not that anyone really cares that much about Kerry, anybody but Bush would do.
A rather balanced discussion a day before the election was insightful. While most of the panel took the popular position, Bush bashing, there was at least one European who seemed to get it.
• North Korea was a problem before Bush, so is Iran. Kerry wasn’t going to reduce the threat from these two rogue nations, which some liberals seem to ignore.
• The Europeans aren’t going to engage in Iraqi, no matter who is president. They couldn’t help if they wanted, as he said, “The Belgium army has more hairdressers than special forces” (I don’t know if it's true, but thought it was a great line.) The French are never going to fight for what they believe in and they have national policy that is solidly anti-American and anti-Israel.
• Europeans don’t understand American’s faith and religion. A nation that is deeply religious is an offense to a post-Christian continent where less than five percent of the population ever bother going to church. Our faith is not the problem, it is their abandonment of faith.
One commentator said that the Germans were “ecstatic” with Kerry. “He’s like a rock star to many, because he is so European.” Another great reason for me to vote Bush.
I don’t agree with Bush on everything. I have my doubts about Iraqi, I hate large deficits and I disagree with him on trade policies and immigration. While I do not believe that God has His special hand on W, I feel more comfortable with putting my confidence in him than I do with a party that, not only has no solid answers for the world problems, but makes light of what I believe in as a matter of faith. The liberals in America and their European cousins may conclude I’m shallow and ignorant. When they come up with an intelligent alternative I will listen. If they want my vote in the future they are going to have come up with a better argument than “you’re stupid if you don’t vote our way.”
A rather balanced discussion a day before the election was insightful. While most of the panel took the popular position, Bush bashing, there was at least one European who seemed to get it.
• North Korea was a problem before Bush, so is Iran. Kerry wasn’t going to reduce the threat from these two rogue nations, which some liberals seem to ignore.
• The Europeans aren’t going to engage in Iraqi, no matter who is president. They couldn’t help if they wanted, as he said, “The Belgium army has more hairdressers than special forces” (I don’t know if it's true, but thought it was a great line.) The French are never going to fight for what they believe in and they have national policy that is solidly anti-American and anti-Israel.
• Europeans don’t understand American’s faith and religion. A nation that is deeply religious is an offense to a post-Christian continent where less than five percent of the population ever bother going to church. Our faith is not the problem, it is their abandonment of faith.
One commentator said that the Germans were “ecstatic” with Kerry. “He’s like a rock star to many, because he is so European.” Another great reason for me to vote Bush.
I don’t agree with Bush on everything. I have my doubts about Iraqi, I hate large deficits and I disagree with him on trade policies and immigration. While I do not believe that God has His special hand on W, I feel more comfortable with putting my confidence in him than I do with a party that, not only has no solid answers for the world problems, but makes light of what I believe in as a matter of faith. The liberals in America and their European cousins may conclude I’m shallow and ignorant. When they come up with an intelligent alternative I will listen. If they want my vote in the future they are going to have come up with a better argument than “you’re stupid if you don’t vote our way.”
Tuesday, October 26, 2004
Missions Makeover: What Does It Mean?
As I entered the foyer of the church, my eye was drawn to a world map displayed prominently on the wall next to the doorway of the sanctuary. At first glimpse, it looked like a route map of an airline company; a big white stick pen at the hub with colored yarn going off to all types of destinations in Africa, Europe, and Latin America. Beside the map were pictures of missionaries as well as their recent prayer letters. This church no doubt was mission-minded, as the map of their outreach ministry was over 20 countries, supporting more than 50 missionaries, all at approximately $30 a month.
While this congregation was being faithful to the spirit of Acts 1:8, to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth, their strategy of missions was naïve at best. Their mission map revealed two things. First, they had no clear purpose of what they were trying to accomplish with their missions dollars as their missions involvement was literally, all over the map. Second, they had no real commitment to those they supported, as some people spend more than $30 a month at Starbucks. Supporting many with a little does little to generate enthusiasm for those who are asked to support missions. Developing a comprehensive mission’s policy will give focus to a congregation in what they are trying to accomplish in their outreach ministry.
PURPOSE - MISSION - MINISTRY – MISSIONS
Aristotle said, “If you wish to converse with me, please define your terms.” The beginning process of developing a strategic document for the local church is by defining purpose, mission, ministry, and missions. Here are term definitions.
PURPOSE – Why does your church exist? What justification do you have for being called a Body of believers? There are many good purpose statements, for example, one might be:
“We exist to glorify Christ in our personal life, family, community and the world.”
MISSION - A purpose statement is who you are as a congregation…a mission reflects what you do to fulfill your purpose. Mission is the process, the macro-view of the congregation’s purpose. The mission statement may be:
“To reflect God’s glory by taking the Gospel to the unreached, making disciples and establishing local communities of believers; demonstrating His love through meeting the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of people throughout the world.”
MINISTRY AND MISSIONS – Projects are the micro-activities of what a congregation does to carry out their mission. Obviously, there are many projects of the local church; we call them ministry activities (music, children, cell group, youth ministries, etc.). What a church does at the local community level is beyond the scope of my discussion but a church that defines well what they do at a local level is important for their growth as it relates to their purpose.
It is important that the church separate ministry and missions projects. Why? Because if it doesn’t, then everything becomes missions, which causes confusion in the congregation, which leads to an ill-defined global outreach program. Missions is other focused, while ministry is us focused. Missions is activity outside the direct benefit of the local body of believers. Missions is not youth camps, radio/television ministry, a Christian school, or senior adult projects. I would argue that short-term mission trips are not as much missions as short-term exposure trips primarily for the benefit of those who go. They are not as effective in terms of reaching others with the Gospel.
Next time I will help define what is missions and how we can use that definition to create a solid global outreach program.
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Missions Makeover For The Local Church
A common question asked by pastors in the U.S. is in regards to how they can make their missions program more effective. They are concerned that their missions effort has become stale if not dead. Global outreach, for many churches, is a relic of the past and of little interest to people born after 1965. The history of missions reveals the reason for declining interest in world evangelism.
After World War II there was in influx of North Americans going overseas to serve as missionaries. Many of them had seen the world for the first time and were moved by the need to take the gospel to places like the Philippines, Japan, North Africa, and Western Europe. The local churches in America were interested in world evangelism, for many in the congregation had seen the world as well and wanted to be personally involved in supporting those going to the regions beyond to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The economy was far different in the “incredible twenty-five years,” as missiologist Ralph Winters called it, from 1950 to 1975. Missionary support in the ‘50’s was less than $500 a month as the living standard overseas was low and health insurance was hardly ever considered. Sadly, many of those early missionaries didn’t think about retirement and, therefore, didn’t raise money for the day when they would return to the States to live out their golden years.
The cost of missions changed dramatically in the mid ‘80’s. The world economy began to rise, and living overseas became more expensive. Learning from the mistakes of those early pioneer missionaries, the new generation of missionaries began raising money for retirement while health insurance costs went through the roof. With more emphasis on family, schooling for missionary children became a primary concern; this added to the cost of living. Today’s missionary family must now raise a minimum of $4000 monthly support, and the cost of doing missions has become an expensive undertaking. New people signing up for career missionary work are on the decline, and new supporters willing to fund them are even fewer. Pastors know that those providing the core of missionary funding in their congregations are over 55 years of age, with the greatest percentage of funds coming from the few folks remaining alive from the WW II generation.
In addition to the changing economy of missions, the strategic need for sending North American missionaries has changed dramatically over the past 25 years. The “unreached” area of the world is not as large as it was in the ‘50’s. Our pioneer forefathers did their job well, and the nations they went to evangelize are sending their own missionaries today at one-third the support needed by North American missionaries.
Missions is still very important to many North American churches, and those committed to world evangelism are struggling to know how to infuse new life in their global outreach. Today’s trend is more concentrated on short-term missions trips for their congregations, hoping that exposure to the world, will spur them to giving and going as career missionaries as it did the pioneers of old. Another trend is supporting national initiatives rather than costly North American families. In searching for answers on how to make missions more attractive for local churches, here are some ideas that will make the local global outreach more effective.
Fifty years ago, missions were easily defined. The Great Commission of Matthew 28:18, “To go into all the world and make disciples,” were a tangible goal that people could see and feel. Just about anyone willing to go was sent. Developing a strategy didn’t seem necessary, as the whole world needed the gospel. As a result of poor planning, the local sending church had no structured policy. Supporting missionaries was, and still is today, an emotional issue, not a strategic plan. My suggestion to pastors and missions leaders in the church today is that they start afresh--that they go back to square one and see world evangelism in the reality of today’s context. To restructure missions today, the sending church must begin with developing a thorough and comprehensive missions policy.
There is both pragmatic and strategic value in a missions policy. Rather than being confused on whom to support, how much, and to which program, a good missions policy will direct the church on a path of purpose for world evangelism. Instead of emotion and personality steering the church aimlessly around the globe in search of purpose, the POLICY makes the decisions, keeping everyone on track as to their stated global objectives.
Key to developing a missions policy is asking critical questions such as: What is the purpose of our missions program? How do we define missions? What do we want to accomplish with the resources our local church has?
I will deal with these questions and much more next time as we continue the discussion of the changing face of missions.
After World War II there was in influx of North Americans going overseas to serve as missionaries. Many of them had seen the world for the first time and were moved by the need to take the gospel to places like the Philippines, Japan, North Africa, and Western Europe. The local churches in America were interested in world evangelism, for many in the congregation had seen the world as well and wanted to be personally involved in supporting those going to the regions beyond to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.
The economy was far different in the “incredible twenty-five years,” as missiologist Ralph Winters called it, from 1950 to 1975. Missionary support in the ‘50’s was less than $500 a month as the living standard overseas was low and health insurance was hardly ever considered. Sadly, many of those early missionaries didn’t think about retirement and, therefore, didn’t raise money for the day when they would return to the States to live out their golden years.
The cost of missions changed dramatically in the mid ‘80’s. The world economy began to rise, and living overseas became more expensive. Learning from the mistakes of those early pioneer missionaries, the new generation of missionaries began raising money for retirement while health insurance costs went through the roof. With more emphasis on family, schooling for missionary children became a primary concern; this added to the cost of living. Today’s missionary family must now raise a minimum of $4000 monthly support, and the cost of doing missions has become an expensive undertaking. New people signing up for career missionary work are on the decline, and new supporters willing to fund them are even fewer. Pastors know that those providing the core of missionary funding in their congregations are over 55 years of age, with the greatest percentage of funds coming from the few folks remaining alive from the WW II generation.
In addition to the changing economy of missions, the strategic need for sending North American missionaries has changed dramatically over the past 25 years. The “unreached” area of the world is not as large as it was in the ‘50’s. Our pioneer forefathers did their job well, and the nations they went to evangelize are sending their own missionaries today at one-third the support needed by North American missionaries.
Missions is still very important to many North American churches, and those committed to world evangelism are struggling to know how to infuse new life in their global outreach. Today’s trend is more concentrated on short-term missions trips for their congregations, hoping that exposure to the world, will spur them to giving and going as career missionaries as it did the pioneers of old. Another trend is supporting national initiatives rather than costly North American families. In searching for answers on how to make missions more attractive for local churches, here are some ideas that will make the local global outreach more effective.
DEVELOP A MISSIONS POLICY
Fifty years ago, missions were easily defined. The Great Commission of Matthew 28:18, “To go into all the world and make disciples,” were a tangible goal that people could see and feel. Just about anyone willing to go was sent. Developing a strategy didn’t seem necessary, as the whole world needed the gospel. As a result of poor planning, the local sending church had no structured policy. Supporting missionaries was, and still is today, an emotional issue, not a strategic plan. My suggestion to pastors and missions leaders in the church today is that they start afresh--that they go back to square one and see world evangelism in the reality of today’s context. To restructure missions today, the sending church must begin with developing a thorough and comprehensive missions policy.
There is both pragmatic and strategic value in a missions policy. Rather than being confused on whom to support, how much, and to which program, a good missions policy will direct the church on a path of purpose for world evangelism. Instead of emotion and personality steering the church aimlessly around the globe in search of purpose, the POLICY makes the decisions, keeping everyone on track as to their stated global objectives.
Key to developing a missions policy is asking critical questions such as: What is the purpose of our missions program? How do we define missions? What do we want to accomplish with the resources our local church has?
I will deal with these questions and much more next time as we continue the discussion of the changing face of missions.
