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Discussion Topic: Thinking about missions....
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tgagne |
05-01-2008 @ 10:04 AM
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New Member
Posts: 1
Joined: Nov 2005
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We hear a lot from visitors about the American church and whether or not it has the will to sustain missions overseas. Sitting here in the Sahara Desert, I cannot help but wonder what the future holds.
We are told that the fund raising we must do is a test of whether or not we are following God's will. I would agree with that if we can assume that the church in general is committed to the work of world evangelism and discipleship. So tell me frineds, is that still the heart beat of the church?
I see people come to Africa all the time who have all the "buzzwords" in place for "leadership" but are unqualified to be in the Sahara Desert doing the long slow work of introducing the Holy Spirit to a culture that wants nothing to do with Him, but for whom He has sovereignly planned.
Should we be examine alternatives for support? Would people still pray for us if they did not sacrifice for us to be here? If we became business men could we still live under the necessary pastoral and administrative authority of the home office and the IDCAG?
So I am wondering, what is shaping the hearts and minds of the leaders, the pastors? Is anyone else thinking about these things or is this a by product of our isolation?
I would like to retire here if I could, to continue to work and influence a Christless culture for as long the Father would allow. What would the cost of my presence here be, what would be the cost of my leaving?
Sorry for the random thoughts, but I would love to hear your thoughts and questions as well, random, of the cuff, well developed, musings of a heart aching after the Holy Spirit's purposes as the only real measure of success.
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lconnour |
05-03-2008 @ 9:13 AM
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Junior Member
Posts: 70
Joined: Nov 2005
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Is this the musing of a mad man? Oh, it's a missionary! Just kidding.
Good stir of the pot of one of many crucial issues facing our church today.
I want to still believe that we have the will for reaching our world. I know that there are more calls for support than open dates on my calendar or even budget. But I have seen our congregation rise to each challenge both with cash offerings and monthly commitments.
As an antagonist, for all the talk we do about leadership it seems we are seeing very little of it. Unfortunately we have become obsessed with buzzwords, and self importance that we rarely hear the clarion call to reach our world. For the present time the Illinois District has been side tract and lost in the maze of an identity crisis. Hopefully we will soon get back on track and focus on real Kingdom issues.
What would be some alternative ways of support?
How would we raise money beyond our present method?
What did you mean by "business men"?
Don't become a business man we still say "preach the word" at ordination even though we hear very little of it at any given district meeting. That's what your up against here. I heard this when I was a young minister, "you get what you preach" that is where we are at. The will of the church must be influenced by the will of God through his servants. Reaching our world is now our responsibility, what will we do?
Who prays for someone or something that we have no investment in, no connection with or we hear nothing about?
I think the use of video presentations could be a way of getting into more churches for visibility and prayer. We use the ones from GC for our missions Sunday offering. I think they help. Our congregation seems to enjoy the personal connections with missionaries too.
What about Godtube or myspace? I don’t know if these would really generate any funds.
Thank God for your passion and commitment to the Sahara.
Thanks for writing.
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