Replacing American Values with Gospel Values: The Myth of the Self-Made Man

A couple of nights ago I was driving home and thought I’d see if I could listen to any post-game talk regarding the Cincinnati Reds (my favorite baseball team, currently on pace to make the playoffs for the first time since 1995). Instead, I caught a little bit of a conversation from a conservative talk show host regarding the issue of immigration. He was interviewing someone who mentioned a particular immigrant as the picture of the American dream. This immigrant had “pulled herself up by her boot straps” to become a financial success. The commentator was comparing this immigrant to many today who, in his opinion, were looking to others for help rather than bettering themselves by hard work.

Though I didn’t listen for much longer, the bit I did hear would probably resonate with many conservative Christians in America. We have a tendency to look down on those who appear unable to improve their condition on their own, while applauding those who achieve “success” through their hard work. We love to hear stories of those who rise above their difficult circumstances to gain financial stability and physical comforts-the picture of the self-made man.

In relation to salvation, that is the exact opposite of biblical teaching. Salvation does not come to those who earn it through their own efforts, but to those who recognize their weakness and in humility call out to their only hope-Jesus Christ. There are no self-made Christians, which is one of the reasons the gospel is so offensive to many. Americans don’t like to admit their insufficiency, but only those who realize they are sick go to the physician for healing.

Though we sometimes forget it, true Christians recognize that salvation is only of the Lord. We agree that no one deserves salvation, so everyone is dependent on God’s grace. But too often we seem to think that the other areas of our life are different. “Sure, I’m only saved because of what God did. But my business has grown because I worked harder than everyone else.” “I know I won’t get to heaven because of what I did, but my education wasn’t a gift. I earned every bit of it.” “Salvation is from the Lord, but earthly success is in my hands.” “The reason I have eternal security is because of Christ, but the reason I have financial security is because of me.”

Those are not actual quotations, but I think they accurately communicate the attitude of many Christians. They may admit they are helpless spiritually but cling to the idea that they are self-made physically. So, we look at those who are not as “successful” as us and think it’s a result of their lack of effort, while we quietly pat ourselves on the back for giving ourselves (and our families) a better life. And, if Paul were to write a letter to the church in America, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this reminder:

“For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?” (1 Cor 4:7 NASB)

Christians in America too easily buy into the illusion of the self-made man and, unwittingly, deny the reality of the Gospel which teaches that there are no self-made men. Everything we are and have is a gift from God. Any earthly “success” we have is not ultimately the result of our own efforts, but is the result of God’s grace at work in our lives. Yes we work hard, but not because we think that our ability or effort are the key to our success. We work because we know God is at work in us and calls us to serve Him with our might. And we recognize that everything we attain (wealth, position, influence, etc.) has been bestowed on us from God to be used for His glory, not for our own agenda and/or ease.

As Christians, we need to replace the values of America with the values of the gospel. We need to reject the myth of the self-made man and embrace the reality of the God-made man. And as we allow the gospel to transform our values, we may find that our perspective on those who we previously considered undeserving moochers is transformed as well. Those who realize they live by grace are much more ready to extend grace to others.

- Ben Edwards

Posted in Urban Ministry, culture | Posted by bedwards | Print This Post |

Identity Guidelines for Missionaries in Restricted Access Nations

A recent MM post provided some guidelines for writing missionaries in restricted access nations. A related issue that Restricted Access Nation (RAN) missionaries face involves their identity. As they minister the gospel of Christ, these individuals must employ creative means of access and stability in their given RAN. With this creative type of ministry (see previous post on an Intro to Tentmaking) comes heightened levels of risk.

Two of the risks related to identity are that the workers: 1) feel that they are being disingenuous with the host government and people by “saying I do one thing while really doing another” and/or 2) raise suspicion from government or other local leaders and endanger their lives as well as the lives of the national believers.

The issue of a worker’s identity in a RAN is a complex issue. These matters ought to be prayerfully considered and analyzed by the worker, his/her family, their sending church, supporting churches, mission board, etc. While an element of risk is inherent to gospel ministry in difficult settings, the gospel worker would do well to minimize the level of risk he/she incurs while still fulfilling ministry purposes.

The outside aid of organizations such as CRICON (Crisis Consulting International) is valuable in preparing workers for  identity issues. CRICON conducted a 3-day Field Security Seminar in May of 2010 for the current and prospective missionaries of our church (about 20 individuals). This training is highly recommended for those preparing to minister in dangerous settings, as they offer training in Hostage Survival, High-Risk Conflict Management, Target Hardening, Surveillance Management, Operations in Conflict/War Zones, Landmines, UXO and IEDs.

During the Surveillance Management tract, concern for minimizing risk seemed to narrow down to online presence and physical surveillance.

Online Presence

Regarding online presence, a good rule of thumb is “if you put it online assume that it is accessible to anyone, anywhere, at anytime.” The safest move is to remove all references to the gospel worker from the internet. If that is not possible or desired, intermediate steps can be taken such as limiting the sites on which their name appears.

Several options exist to boost the security of the worker’s email correspondence. One is to install GPG software (also known as GnuPG), a free version of Pretty Good Privacy (PGP) software, which effectively, though not perfectly, safeguards your emails. GPG functions as an encryption service whereby both parties use personal keys to unlock an email, protecting it from unintended eyes.

Here are two tutorials on using GPG with Gmail. Be sure to read the comments below the articles for other helpful information. Also, if you use Gmail, ensure that you access the service using the URL https://mail.google.com (the “s” is the important element.) Gmail is set up to use the “https” by default but you can ensure that it does by following these instructions.

Regarding Skype, it is a fairly secure option and to conveniently communicate internationally via voice and video. Simon Garfinkel, an Associate Professor at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, and an associate of the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University (I don’t think he sings), prepared a thorough review of Skype from a security standpoint. Read Garfinkel’s review (esp. pp. 4-7) for a detailed analysis of Skype’s security.

His conclusion about Skype privacy:

While the actual communications between Skype clients appears to be encrypted, searches conducted on behalf of Skype users — including searches necessary to initiate Skype calls — are observable by the Skype network. This means that it should be possible for even unprivileged participants of the network to perform traffic analysis and determine when one user calls another user. It is unknown if the design of the Skype network makes it possible for some nodes to monitor all searches and call set-up traffic, or if instead each node would only see a portion of the overall traffic. [p. 5]

Read the complete review for a thorough perspective of the privacy issues involved in using Skype (and similar VoIP programs). You can also read Sype’s security page for their take on how secure their program is (including FAQs).

Another method of safeguarding one’s online presence is to develop a system of pseudonyms that you, your immediate family, and other RAN workers will utilize when corresponding with friends, family, and churches in the States, and vice versa. The “vice versa” is the tricky part; it is much easier to protect your own vocabulary that it is to educate dozens or hundreds of others. Look at the “Guidelines for Writing to Workers in RAN” document that MM produced for ideas on creating your own pseudonym vocabulary.

Physical Surveillance

The most valuable tip regarding physical surveillance in a RAN is to be aware. This sounds simplistic, but most instances of surveillance can be detected and/or avoided by taking precautionary measures and keeping your “eyes peeled.” (The CRICON Field Security Seminar is excellent for training you to detect and/or avoid surveillance. See links above.)

For those who can’t attend a CRICON training event, availing yourself to other security resources is key. An example is STRATFOR (Strategic Forecasting), an international intelligence company that releases daily briefings regarding political, economic, and military developments. (Much info is free to the public; the paid subscriptions offer more detailed briefings.) Their article “Watching for Watchers” provides an overview of surveillance and simple steps to detect it and react effectively. Their “Primer on Situational Awareness” reveals what awareness is and isn’t, levels of awareness, and how to find that appropriate level of awareness.

Conclusion

Speaking the full truth of the gospel of Jesus is necessarily confrontational; it is either a stumbling block or foolishness to those who are perishing (1 Cor 1:23). Ministering this gospel in a RAN context entails extra levels of risk. But prayerfully using identity tools that God has made available can ensure that you minister wisely and effectively as you seek to minimize unnecessary risk.

Posted in Missiology, Missions Resources, Pioneer Missions, Serving as Senders, Strategy in Missions, culture | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

Hudson Taylor on YouTube

Okay, he’s not really on YouTube (he died in 1905), but you can watch a video of Doug Whitley reenact Hudson Taylor as he might have appeared:

Whitley reenacts other preachers such as George Meuller, the apostle John, Simeon, Andrew Murray, E. M. Bounds, Moses, Augustine, C. H. Spurgeon, and a list of others. View his YouTube channel or his website for a complete listing.

HT: Jonathan Bolin (view other missions videos on Jonathan’s site)

Posted in Announcement, Missions Resources, Voices from the Past, World Issues | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

Guidelines for Writing Missionaries in Restricted Access Nations

I have several friends that are or will be ministering the gospel of Christ in a location identified as a Restricted Access Nation (RAN). (For a thorough list of RANs, see the Voice of the Martyrs’ interactive map.)  One of the issues that they face is the tension between wanting to correspond with family, friends, and supporting churches and the desire to not unnecessarily expose themselves to the government or others who are opposed to the gospel.

With the plethora of media options available today, we have multiple venues through which we can contact our gospel ministers. But, as my dad used to say, with this added privilege comes added responsibility. We need to be “wise as serpents and harmless of doves” as we seek to edify and support our missionaries.

Recently I came across a document that provides instructions for writing to missionaries who minister in RANs. It was written from the vantage point of a particular RAN, so I edited the document to make it applicable to those who minister in all RANs.

View “Guidelines for Writing to Workers in RAN” document.

Follow these guidelines when corresponding with a RAN worker, and pass them on to your pastor/church as a helpful resource as you strive to serve your missionaries well.

HT: Original document created by Turkish World Outreach

Posted in Missiology, Missions Resources, Serving as Senders, Strategy in Missions | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

Give Gospel of John to Homes Near Your Church

Attention Pastors: “Gospel of John” booklets have been used for years as helpful introductions to the life and death of Jesus to neighbors and community residents. The Light Project makes it easier and more cost-effective than ever to distribute the good news.

The Light Project (TLP) straightforward website directs you through the entire process. It does not get much simpler than this:

1. Enter your church information
2. Order the amount of booklets you desire to send (minimum of 500)
3. TLP identifies the appropriate homes to the number of booklets you order
4. TLP adds your church’s contact info to the booklets
5. TLP ships the booklets to the homes (you can also have the “Story of Jesus” booklets delivered to your church address)
6. Recipients can contact your church via the contact info on the cover or the reply card

Cost: $1 per book!

Available versions: NASB, ESV, KJV, NKJV, and NCV.

Posted in Announcement, Missions Resources | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

Cambodian Christian Prays for Man Who Killed His Father

Read this riveting account of a Cambodian believer who forgives the man who was instrumental in the murder of his father during the Khmer Rouge regime.

O the grace that only Jesus can provide to move a man to forgive his father’s murderer! What a great Savior!

Source: IMB Asia

Posted in World Issues | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

Intro to Tentmaking

Posted in Missiology, Missions Resources, Pioneer Missions, Strategy in Missions | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

Thoughts From Pastor to Missionary

Jeff Brewer shares 10 helpful suggestions that he would like to give to missionaries.

Brewer is currently a pastor, but previously served as a missionary in a 10/40 window country, so he has the experience from “the other side” to back up his comments.

His 10 points specifically focus on the missionary’s presentation before a local church of their ministry. Here are a couple:

• One goal should be to show people that it is essential for you to be doing the ministry you are doing.
• Ask three friends who will be honest with you to read and evaluate your communications that you send to your supporters

His thoughts are helpful for missionaries, pastors, and church members to think through. We all could improve on how we serve each other in this regard.

Read all 10 items at Jeff’s blog Church Plant Pastor.

HT: JT

Posted in Missions Resources, Strategy in Missions | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

M Trivia 2.6: Answer

An M Trivia question was asked in the latest edition of the MM Express, a regular email update sent out by Missions Mandate. The title of the email was “Reverse Culture Shock,” the emotional (and often physical) effects of transitioning back to your host country after spending years overseas. Our cross-cultural workers face this phenomenon and is something that we, as their senders, ought to be aware of. (I recently found this helpful article on the concept of reverse-culture shock from a study abroad website.)

M Trivia for MM Express 2.6: According to an online etymology site, what was the original, literal meaning of the word “culture” in Middle French and Latin?

Correct answer: According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word culture was derived from the Middle-French word culture, meaning “the tilling of the land,” which was directly taken from the Latin cultura, meaning “a cultivating, agriculture” literally and “care, culture, an honoring” in the figurative sense.

The article also states that the term culture was first used in the sense of “the intellectual side of civilization” in 1805 and in the sense of “collective customs and achievements of a people” in 1867. (Anyone know what work or event occurred in 1867 that resulted in the definition of culture used today? “The Manifest Destiny” era? Charles Dickens’ first public reading in the U.S? Purchase of Alaska territory - Seward’s Folly? I’d be curious to know what event or study produced this definition.)

Out of the correct answers submitted, a winner was selected at random. She has been notified via email and will receive a free copy of Re-Entry: Making the Transition from Missions to Life at Home. Re-Entry presents

Sign up to receive the MM Express and participate in the next M Trivia!

Posted in MM Express, Missiology, Missions Resources, culture | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

Another Media Piece on Christianity in China

National Public Radio recently broadcasted a piece on the rise of Christianity in China entitled “In the Land of Mao, A Rising Tide of Christianity.”

To some it seems surprising to see these reports in such mainstream media outlets, but media highlights of Christianity in China are increasing as well.

Here are a few stories presented by various media outlets that have been highlighted on the MM blog:

• Conversion Testimony in Chinese Newspaper
• The Tiananmen Generation
• China Miscellanies
• China, YouTube, and the Power of the New Media

HT: Dave Doran

Posted in Buzz Words, World Issues, culture | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

Kids Missions Resources

My church is hosting The Egypt File Vacation Bible School this week. One of the elements that we have incorporated into the day is a mission emphasis. The children have heard messages about the need for gospel evangelism in Morocco and about the life of young William Carey (did you know that God used his severe allergies when he was young to expose William to the gospel?).

Solid, biblical education of our children must be a priority of local churches, and this includes missions exposure.

The “Stand 4 Kids” organization has several lists of missions resources geared toward children. Items on the lists include:

• Preschool Materials
• Missionary Biographies Stories and Chapter Books
• Resources for Raising a Mission-Minded Family

View these and more at the “Stand 4 Kids” resources page and the “Stand 4 Kids” blogsthat highlight important aspects of ministry to children.

HT: Missions Catalyst

Posted in Missions Resources | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

50% Off Betty Lukens Bible Felt Figures

A missionary recently informed me that missionaries can receive a 50% discount on all Betty Lukens’ Bible felt figure sets. The popular, visual-aid flannel graph kit has been used for years to illustrate biblical stories to young people around the globe.

Here are a couple reviews of the Betty Lukens materials:

• California Homeschooling Today
• Review by a mom and educator

Apparently the most common downsides to the 600+ piece deluxe kit are the price ($360 retail for the large deluxe kit) and the fact that you have to cut out all of the pieces by hand! (As well as the fact that Jesus is portrayed as pale white and having feminine hair, especially when compared with the disciples).

In order to receive the discount, missionaries simply need to indicate their status when ordering the material from the Betty Lukens store. The discount is offered directly from the Betty Lukens company, so don’t expect to receive the same deal from other retailers.

I trust that this will be helpful to many who minister to children in cross-cultural contexts.

Posted in Announcement, Missions Resources | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

Pastor Killed by Gunmen in Dagestan

Via baranabasaid:

A dynamic Christian pastor has died after being shot in the head as he was leaving church, in what is being seen as a bid to intimidate converts from Islam in the strongly Islamic republic of Dagestan [federal subject of Russia located in the northern Caucasus region].

Artur Suleimanov (49), himself a convert from Islam, was murdered by a gunman who approached and opened fire as the pastor got into a car outside Hosanna House of Prayer in the capital, Makhachkala, on Thursday 15 July. He died from his wounds in hospital around an hour later. Nobody else was injured in the attack. Pastor Suleimanov leaves behind a wife, Zina, and five children, the youngest of whom is twelve years old.

Barnabasaid also gives several aspects believers can pray to God about regarding this situation:

• That God will comfort and uphold Pastor Suleimanov’s family, and their large church family, in their distress and grief.
• That the murderer and all those behind this horrendous incident will be brought to justice, and that they will come to faith in the Lord Jesus.
• For protection over those attending Pastor Suleimanov’s funeral as well as the wider Church in Dagestan.
• That Christians will not be intimidated by this act of violence.

Posted in Announcement, Pioneer Missions, World Issues | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

Why Were They Called Christians?

I attended a workshop at a conference last month that was considering the issue of different cultures and the spread of the gospel in the book of Acts. As the speaker began talking about the church at Antioch, I realized something about the account in Acts 11:19-30 that had not occurred to me before. I’d always assumed that the reason the believers at Antioch were the first to be called Christians is that they were excellent examples of following Christ. However, I saw that there is more to it than that.

The church at Antioch was probably the first multi-cultural church in the New Testament. Though Hellenistic Jews, Samaritans, and a handful of Gentile converts were a part of the church at large, it seems that Antioch is the first church with both an emphasis on ministering to Greeks (11:20) and a diversity of leadership (13:1). Until this time it would have been easy to view the disciples of Christ as merely a subset of the Jews, but now it was becoming clear that they were something more than that.

What was it that united this group? They did not share a common religious background, ethnicity, or nationality. Thus, a new term had to be used to encompass this diverse group. The fitting term was “Christian,” because the only thing they shared with one another was their commitment to Christ.

One of the reasons I am excited about urban ministry is its great potential to display this same phenomenon. Cities around the world house a great diversity of peoples, many of whom would not normally be found together. But the gospel has the power to break down the common barriers that divide people. Thus, urban churches have the potential to unite people with different religious, ethnic, educational, and economic backgrounds because of their common commitment to Christ.

Churches are not meant to simply gather people who are already like one another, but to assemble people who have been made one through Jesus Christ. And when a diverse group of people gets together like that, the only appropriate label is “Christian.”

- Ben Edwards

Posted in Strategy in Missions, Urban Ministry | Posted by bedwards | Print This Post |

Free Online Course on Islam

For those interested in learning the basics of Islam from a Christian perspective, while in a structured environment, you can listen to Timothy Tennent’s “Introduction to Islam” course. In this free, 24-lecture, 16 hour course, Tennent provides a historical, theological, and cultural overview of the religion of Islam.

Here is the course description:

The purpose of this course is to provide an introductory study of the structure, beliefs and practices of Islam. Special emphasis will be placed on a study of the theology of the Koran. The student will read and study the entire Koran along with important selections from the Hadith, Shari’a material and Sufi writings.

The actual historical manifestations of contemporary Islam will be explored with a special emphasis on Islam in the African context.

Throughout the course there will be a concern to demonstrate how Islamic thought is different from Christian thought and how the gospel can be most effectively communicated to members of the Islamic faith, the second largest and fastest growing religion in the world today.

Here are the lecture topics (you can listen to individual lectures):

• Introduction
• Pre-Islamic Arabia
• Muhammad, the man
• The Qur’anic World View
• Central Articles
• Islam as a “Missionary” Religion
• Historical Development
• Role of Tradition
• The Islamic Sharia
• Schools of Law
• Sufism and Sufi Orders
• Folk Islam
• Jesus and the Qur’an
• Biblical/Theological Issues
• Cultural Issues
• The Christian Community in an Islamic Context
• Islamic Apologetics Surveyed

Dr. Timothy Tennent is a former professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary (where he served as professor of world missions and Indian studies) and is currently the president of and professor of  World Christianity at Asbury Theological Seminary.

HT: JT

Posted in Announcement, Missions Resources, Strategy in Missions, Theology and Missions | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

Passport Fees Set To Increase Next Week

Those of you going on summer missions trips or heading overseas for long-term missions work and in need of a passport, might want to apply soon!

According to the U.S. Department of State, the fees for new and renewed passports ares set to increase next Tuesday, July 13.

New passport applications will jump from $100 to $135, passport renewals will jump from $75 to $110, and extra visa pages will jump from free to $82, according to a CNN.com feature.

Posted in Announcement, Missions Resources | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

David Livingstone’s “Lost Letter” Deciphered

A fascinating discovery for missions and history buffs, a letter written by the missionary-explorer David Livingstone that was rendered indecipherable due to age has recently been examined by scientists and its contents have been revealed.

Read the BBC’s account of the story. An excerpt from the article:

It condemns slavery, relays details of Africa and reveals his ill health.

The letter was written when Livingstone was stranded as a virtual prisoner in extreme environmental conditions at Bambarre in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Posted in Missiology | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

Keyman Multilingual Online Keyboard

Online virtual keyboard for any language

For those looking for a Windows-based tool that enables typing in a foreign language in a word processor program, Keyman Desktop is the best product on the market. I have used their Greek and Hebrew keyboards with great success while typing seminary papers and projects.

And now you can use the excellent features of the Keyman Desktop in numerous web applications - email, Google search, Twitter, other social networking sites, Wikipedia, chat, etc. - with the Keyman Web application. Over 600 languages are accessible, without needing to install special fonts, hardware, or software.

And, the best feature is that the KeymanWeb basic subscription (up to 5 keyboards) is free.

Additional features include: website subscription that allows visitors to interact in multiple languages on your site; universal bookmarklet, allowing you to type in text boxes in multiple languages; Wordpress application, allowing visitors to contribute to your blog in their own language. View the complete list of features.

More information about the makers of Keyman, Tavultesoft, and testimonials from happy customers.

[Technical information: Keyman operates on the unicode standard font system. For more information on unicode fonts as it relates to biblical research, read Rod Decker's thorough article on the subject. He also provides helpful links for Mac users.]

This program is great for those who are learning a new language (you can type your own vocab cards while learning Bangandu, spoken in Cameroon!), conducting research in a foreign language, translating documents or the Bible into a different language, or creating an evangelistic website in a non-English language. God is gracious in giving us such wonderful tools at our fingertips!

Posted in Missions Resources | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

10 Social Media Travel Resources

For those who travel for missions work on a regular basis, Mashable lists 10 social media travel resources. Here are a few of the most useful resources (in my opinion):

• Trip Journal Turns Your Smartphone Into the Ultimate Trip Scrapbook
• HOW TO: Use Social Media for Travel Research
• 11 iPhone Apps for Stress Free Family Travel
• HOW TO: Find Your Way Around Any New City

- Tim Aynes

Posted in Missions Resources | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

Egalitarianism and Evangelical Missions

We believe the Bible clearly teaches that men and women are equal in worth and essence but they have distinct roles in both the home and the church. This viewpoint is called the Complementarian position (www.cbmw.org has many helpful resources on this). In the church both here and abroad (missions included), God has called men, not women, to preach, plant and pastor churches. Women can joyfully fulfill vital roles according to their giftedness in their family and churches worldwide as well.

The April 2010 issue of Evangelical Missions Quarterly (I confess, I am behind reading one issue), while, as usual having some very helpful articles, had one article which needs addressed. It is titled, “Innovation in Mission: Women Workers in the Harvest Force” by Leanne Dzubinski.

Dzubinski begins with a true and helpful statement about women’s roles in movements: “Women have often been the ones to initiate reform programs for social good and gospel awareness” (150). She mentiones the temperance movement, the early Sunday School movement and the Salvation Army as examples. She states as well “there is strong evidence to indicate that women’s integral involvement in the work of missions can be quite fruitful” (151)–again, quite true, and we are thankful for this!

However, at this point in the article the examples and exhortations take on a clearly Egalitarian point of view. The Egalitarian perspective, as opposed to the Complementarian view, holds that “men and women are equal in value, but all roles in the home and the church are determined by gifts, abilities, and preferences, not by gender.”  Quoted is Carol Davis who writes that “women often make the best church planters” (151). She positively cites the Yoido Church in South Korea’s example of putting women in leadership of cell groups. She cites a comment on a Baptist Pastor’s blog: “during times of Baptist expansion and spiritual awakenings, women inevitably become active in preaching, teaching, and leading the assemblies of believers” (151). Dzubinski calls for a paradigm shift in missions in “how women harvest force workers are empowered to do ministry” (151).

Missions organizations and churches need to recognize, respect, and promote female giftedness and service. Dzubinski has some very helpful suggestions, corrections, and cautions in this regard in the end of her article (154-156). However, roles must be fulfilled within biblical boundaries such as 1 Tim 2:11-15; 3:1-7,  and this excludes women being involved in preaching, teaching and leading church plants. In this regard, Dzubinski (in my opinion) has departed from a biblical position in her article.

- PLJ

Posted in Missiology | Posted by PLJ | Print This Post |

Intriguing BBC Radio Documentary on Missionaries

From the BBC:

They face arrest, deportation, and death threats. Their work is so sensitive that few are prepared to talk about it.

But for this programme - our religious affairs correspondent, Christopher Landau - has persuaded some of them to speak: the missionaries who carry the gospel to countries which are hostile to Christian mission. Countries where evangelising may put them, and those they lead to Christ, in mortal danger.

In this audio documentary, missionaries ministering in various regions across the globe - including Muslim and “creative access” nations - are asked questions regarding why they risk their lives to tell others about Jesus.

They tell of carrying Bibles into dangerous places, leading a man to Christ only for him to be murdered a few days later, and the implications of a person converting to the Christian faith in a country hostile to the gospel.

The author also interviews some Christian aid workers who aren’t too happy with the outright, zealous evangelism of some that has caused them to undergo resistance in their humanitarian aid, and in some cases resulted in their expulsion from the country.

Still, the committed evangelists say that they have no choice but to obey God and tell others about the good news, even if it means being martyred for it.

Muslim scholars and leaders are also asked about the presence of evangelical missionaries in Muslim-dominated countries and share their thoughts on this sensitive issue.

The BBC summary concludes:

Hear their stories, and find out about the huge ethical dilemmas they face. And discover how their work looks from a Muslim perspective.

This is a helpful piece in understanding how the world perceives Christian missions. It also illustrates the fact that many will never understand why followers of Jesus would give their lives for the name of Jesus Christ.

Indeed, “the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God,” to quote 1  Corinthians 1:18.

Listen to the documentary.

Posted in Announcement, Missions Resources, Persecuted Church, World Issues | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

30+ Free Missions Books

The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) website is currently offering about 30 missions books from their Resources page -  for free! The books are published either directly by WEA or by William Carey Library.

Among them: To Valuable to Lose, Global Missiology for the 21st Century, Doing Member Care Well, Establishing Missionary Teams, etc.

Though some are more technical than others, a pastor, teacher, or other believer who wants to know how he can fit into his/her church’s gospel ministry can benefit from these books.

Most of the resources are in PDF format, while others are Word documents or PowerPoint presentations. Simply add the resource to your cart, checkout, and download the resource for free (no credit card information required).

Here’s an example of one of the books available. I downloaded and glanced through the book Doing Member Care Well. It has tons of helpful information about how to send and support missionaries in a way that glorifies God. The multiple authors tackle issues as they would affect ministers in each continent. Brazilian missions has a different focus than Arabic world missions.

The chapters are full of eyewitness testimonies of dealing with the stress and uncertainties of ministering the gospel in a foreign land and context.

While this book has more emphasis on modern psychology than I am comfortable with, it provides helpful information in thinking through the ramifications of sending or going as a missionary to a foreign context.

Conclusion: Well worth your time. It is most valuable as a resource to pick and choose issues that are most relevant to the situation that a missionary or church would face.

Search from the 30+ resources and download a book that will help you better understand your role in the spread of the gospel, from your church to the world.

HT: Brigada

Posted in Missiology | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

Thinking Theologically About Immigration

I highly recommend that all believers, and especially church and educational leaders, read Alejandro Mandes’ article “Thinking Theologically About Immigration“ (pp. 4-5, 9) in the Spring/Summer 2010 issue of Dallas Theological Seminary’s Kindred Spirit magazine.

Dr. Mandes acknowledges the tension American believers face when thinking through the sticky issue of immigration. But is the immigration question unique to our times? What does the Bible have to say about immigration? He challenges believers to hold the Great Commission (Matt 28:19-20) and the Great Commandment (Matt 22:37-40) before them as they work through their personal response to immigration.

In response to the question “How do we live out our biblical mandates?”, Dr. Mandes gives three responses:

1. We must remember that immigrants were made in the image of God. That means in all our dealings we must treat them with dignity.
2. We must keep in focus the Great Commission and the Great Commandment.
3. We must emulate Paul’s actions in the first century as we walk the fine line between compassion and execution of the law.

He goes on to describe Paul’s actions regarding a runaway slave, Onesimus as recorded in Paul’s letter to Philemon. He concludes that “Paul, rather than turning in Onesimus or staying aloof from him, stayed on mission. The result was fruit. And the result was obedience in all spheres - first to the gospel, then to compassion, then to civil law” (p. 5).

Dr. Mandes concludes with extended thoughts summarized in the following key words: speak, pray, love, serve, share, enjoy, envision.

Read the entire article (pp. 4-5, 9).

The Q & A interview “Good Migrations?” with Michael Pocock is well worth your time as well. He gives examples of immigrants in the NT: Mary and Joseph in Egypt and Jesus’ alienation as a carpenter from lowly Nazareth. [Others would include Israel's tenure in foreign lands, Nehemiah, Daniel, Paul's journey in foreign lands, the Jewish diaspora across the Roman world due to persecution, etc.]

Pocock also points out that  Americans aren’t the only ones dealing with immigration issues; 35% of global migrants end up in Europe, while 23% end up in America.

He concludes that

whether it is hospitality to strangers (Rom. 12:13), or entertaining those who cannot repay us (Luke 14:12-14), doing good to all persons (Gal. 6:10), or considering all people equally no matter their culture or ethnicity (Col. 3:10-11), the Bible speaks to our attitude toward those of other races and cultures. We should be very careful not simply to go with the conventional wisdom of people around us, nor should we follow racist thinking. We should love our neighbors as ourselves, not intellectualizing nor spiritualizing, but in concrete expression to whomever is in our community on whatever basis.

Read all of Dr. Pocock’s interview (pp. 6-9).

Another resource on this subject: “What Does the Bible Teach on Immigration? An Interview with James Hoffmeier”

Related Missions Mandate resources on the topic Immigration:

Muslim Demographics Video: Reviewed

Immigration Breakdown

Immigration Explorer

Urban Ministry and Racial Reconciliation - particularly Jason’s message on racial reconciliation based on Eph 2:11-21

- Tim Aynes

Posted in Missiology | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

How Soccer Explains the World

This essay from The Scriptorium provides an intriguing look at the world through the lens of the soccer (or “football” as our English cousins would inform us) World Cup. While a mostly comical look at the differences between America and England (as well as a few jabs at American’ slang), it does provide helpful insight regarding the power of sport to reveal cultural identities. E.g. his examples under the paragraphs “Sport can be the greatest unifier” and “Sport can be the greatest divider.”

In trying to learn a culture and how to reach people in that culture with the gospel of Christ, few things serve as a better ice breaker than learning that country’s sport. So put aside your annoyance with the vuvuzelas (buzzing trumpets at the World Cup arenas) and the low scoring and learn a little bit of world culture during this World Cup. Better yet, ask a foreign-born friend or neighbor to watch it with you and learn from him about his culture.

E.g. of how (sadly) “football” dominates even the church in the UK:

Sport is religion in many countries.  During the 2002 World Cup which was hosted by Japan & Korea, I was living in the U.K. and I remember the first day of the tournament when the English “side” (translation: team) played at what was 8am on a Sunday morning.  What happened?  All the pubs opened so people could watch, and everybody missed church.

And football has even affected the Edinburgh 2010 conference which I just attended.  This conference is the centenary celebration of the Edinburgh 1910 missionary conference which was held from June 14-23, 1910.  Why are we celebrating it June 2-6, 2010, instead?  Because the conference organizers didn’t want it conflicting with the World Cup.  Again, sadly, sport trumps even theology.  This never would’ve happened 100 years ago!

Related MM post: World Cup Draw (December 2009)

Posted in Missiology | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

Urban Ministry and Racial Reconciliation

Update: Download Jason Ormiston’s urban ministry seminar notes.

On Tuesday, we had the privilege of hosting an Urban Ministry Seminar at the Crossroads House (the ministry center for the Wayne State University Campus Bible Fellowship) with Dr. Jason Ormiston (see bio below).

The seminar dealt with the rise of cities and the proper Christian response to them (Session 1); the issues that urban ministers must face, such as poverty and homelessness and how churches can respond (Session 2); and some suggestions for developing church leadership and adjusting seminary training to meet the needs of a growing urban world (Session 3).

With Jason’s educational background and urban church planting experience he was able to combine theological and practical issues¹ in these sessions. I’m sure the audio of the sessions will be a great help in stimulating your thinking on these important matters.

Listen to the audio of the seminar:

Session 1 - The Rise of Cities and the Proper Christian Response to Them

Session 2 - Issues that Urban Ministers Must Face

Session 3 - Suggestions for Developing Church Leadership and Adjusting Seminary Training for the Urban Church Context

(To download these mp3s, right-click the link and select the option “Save As” or “Save Link As”)

On Tuesday evening, Jason delivered a powerful message at Inter-City Baptist Church on racial reconciliation, using Ephesians 2:11-21 as his text. His broad outline was:

1.       Apart from Christ we were divided (11-12)

2.       In Christ we are united (13-21)

He emphasized that reconciliation of any kind is only truly possible through Jesus Christ, so to try to promote secular unity and reconciliation will ultimately prove futile. However, the blood of Christ has united diverse believers into one body, so we must live out this unity within the church. He ended with five points of application:

1.       Confess your sin of racism (we may be surprised to see the prejudice in our own hearts when we are honest enough to consider it)

2.       Preach the gospel to yourself daily (recognize your own sin and the grace of Christ in your life)

3.       Treat others as image-bearers of God (e.g., don’t engage in racial jokes; don’t view someone as simply “the bus kid” but as someone made in God’s image)

4.       Pray for unreached people groups (it’s hard to hold hatred for others when you’re praying for them)

5.       Reflect on the foundational truths that are common to all mankind (e.g., we are all made in God’s image; we are all sinful; etc.)

Though this issue is not an easy one to consider, it is a very important one. I strongly urge you to listen to the message and consider how to live out these truths in your own life.

Listen to the message: “Racial Reconciliation Through the Gospel of Jesus Christ” (To download this mp3, right-click the link and select the option “Save As” or “Save Link As”)

- Ben Edwards

Jason Ormiston is a professor at Bob Jones University and is leading a church plant in Powdersville, SC. He has eleven years of urban church planting experience, having helped start two urban churches in Minneapolis, MN. Jason recently completed a Doctor of Ministry in Urban Missions from Westminster Theological Seminary in Glenside, PA.

I make it a principle that I can be taken for $20 every month. In other words if someone asks me for some money, I have set aside at least $20 out of my budget to give them, because I want to know that I’m not developing callouses around me, or fortresses around me, when people are saying, “Hey man, you got five bucks.” “You know what, ya, the truth is that I do have five bucks that I haven’t given away.”

Posted in Missiology | Posted by bedwards | Print This Post |

Another Update from Believer in Kyrgzstan

A Russian believer living in Kyrgzstan provides the following update on the situation in Osh, Kyrgzstan’s second largest city, located along the old Silk Road:

We are in the center of a war in Osh, Kyrgyzstan.  It is impossible to imagine the horror of the situation here!!  The news is only reporting a small portion of what is actually going on. It is ethnic cleansing if you can call it that.

Whole blocks of Uzbek homes have been torched and burned.  Women and children are being mercilessly killed.  Many bodies and injured people are lying in the streets without anyone to help.  Kyrgyz youth under the influence of alcohol and drugs are running wild in the streets killing anyone and burning whatever lies in their paths.

This ethnic tension (between Kyrgyz and Uzbeks) has existed under the surface for many years but recently has been stirred up for political purposes.  Because of this, it appears that authorities are doing nothing to stop the conflict and are silent.  It seems that the whole situation was planned out in advance and that no one planned to put a stop to it.

One of my relat! ives went out today at great risk to get groceries for his household.  On his way he saw an old man badly injured who was lying in the street.  He wanted to help him and turned him over onto his back.  Immediately a group of young men ran up and starting kicking the old man fiercely.  My relative heard one of these youths say, “He’s Kyrgyz” Another said, “No he’s Uzbek, let’s set him on fire.”  When my relative returned the old man lay burned to death.

Officially the government has issued an order to shoot to kill anyone with a weapon but in reality no one is carrying out this order.  These horrendous acts are continuing to take place.   Police and soldiers are patrolling the streets but doing nothing to stop the violence.

Last night bandits broke into an army storage facility where weapons, helicopters, tanks, etc were stored.   We couldn’t imagine where these simple people had obtained so many weapons before and now they have even more weapons, plus army equipment!

On top of all of this there is a shortage of food as the stores have been vandalized.  When our food supply runs out we will go hungry.  The news is reporting that humanitarian aid is getting in but the supply is very limited. Not long ago bread was given out but for some reason they refused to give it to the Russians.  We are not concerned about humanitarian aid, we simply want to live!

Some news reports are saying that things are getting more stable but the truth is it is getting worse.  My goal in writing this is to the get word out to the world about what is actually happening here.  We are afraid that we will be forgotten and alone in this crisis with no one coming to our aid.

Presently they are not coming against us as Russians but we believe it is only a matter of time before they turn on us.  People have “tasted blood” with no consequences and will not stop the killing.  We are living in a state of fear.  Please send this information out to as many people as possible.  This is our urgent plea for help.

May God stir our churches to intercede to God on behalf of these believers and do what we can to encourage and sustain them.

Here are a few resources to help you learn more about Kyrgzstan’s culture and develop a burden for these people:

• Medical Institute, Osh State University - facts about the city of Osh
• Kyrgyzstan Culture

Posted in Missiology | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

Kyrgzstan Update from In-Country Believer

A friend of Missions Mandate sent us information regarding the conflict in Kyrgzstan that he received from a Christian family who is ministering near the capital city of Bishkek. His update helps us understand the political landscape in which Christians are ministering:

It is around midnight the 15th of June.  Here in Bishkek things have remained calm over the last few days.  As most of you may already know, the southern part of Kyrgyzstan has become a battlefield.  We do not have much information here in the country, and most of it cannot be verified.  At the very least it is obvious that the government is unable to stop the killing of Uzbeks by gangs of Kyrgyz which roam at will in the South.

The death toll officially is well above a hundred, and the true death toll may never be known, but it is at least several hundred.  Well over 100,000 Uzbeks have fled across the border into Uzbekistan.

This morning as I left for Sukaluke to work at the orphanage everything in Bishkek was quiet and normal.  However, when I returned this evening road blocks had been set up on all main roads entering Bishkek.  Everyone was stopped and asked questions and our vehicles searched.

As we come into the evening all of the stores that normally stay open in our neighborhood have shut down and locked up for the night.  _______ called me about 30 minutes ago to let me know that the word on the street is that the leaders of the killing and unrest in the south are saying they will do the same in Bishkek in four days.  So we once again find ourselves in a very tense situation.

The government will be unable to stop them if they carry through with their threat, of this we are certain.  In general there is very little being said by the interim government and what is being said is often contradictory.

So we are taking this information seriously and asking you to pray for the [foreign and national believers]. In the next few days we will know how this will go.  We are not trusting in ourselves or in others but only in Him.

This is the environment in which believers in Kyrgzstan find themselves. We need to pray that God gives them the grace to trust in Him as they continue to live out and share the gospel in their communities.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 is certainly applicable to this situation: “I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

• Pray for Kyrgzstan

Informative worldwide media coverage:

• Kyrgyzstan violence: Uzbekistan closes border to refugees

• UN says violence in Kyrgyzstan was orchestrated
• Notes on Kyrgzstan

Posted in Missiology | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

M Trivia 2.5: Answer

An M Trivia question was asked in the latest edition of the MM Express, a regular email update sent out by Missions Mandate. Below is the answer:

M Trivia for MM Express 2.5: Recently, several Lebanese chefs broke the world record for preparing the largest amounts of two Middle-Eastern dishes. One was hummus, what was the other dish? (Hint: It sounds like what you say when you are sick.)

Correct answer: Falafel. (hint: I “feel awful”; cheesy, I know). On May 8, 2010, approximately 300 Lebanese chefs cooked up up 5.5 tons of falafel (a fried patty of crushed chick peas and/or fava beans - think hush puppies) and on May 9 they prepared an 11.5 ton dish of hummus (Middle-Eastern dip made of chick peas, sesame paste, garlic, and lemon juice - and it’s actually good!). Read the press release.

Come to the Arab-American festival in Dearborn, MI this weekend for some amazing humus and falafel!

Out of the correct answers submitted, a winner was selected at random. He has been notified via email and will receive a free copy of Samuel Zwemer’s Islam and the Cross.

Sign up to receive the MM Express and participate in the next M Trivia!

Posted in Missiology | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

Technology’s Impact on Missions

In a discussion on short-term missions (preparations before taking one, their long-range effect, the perspective of the Global South on them, etc.) Paul Borthwick provided some helpful thoughts about missions and technology (pp. 2-3 of the article):

Question: What new global trends are likely to impact the way short-term missions is done in the future?

Answer: Probably the most significant trend would be technology, and it’s both a positive and negative influence. Positively speaking, short-term teams today come back with more ability to stay in touch with the people they served alongside of.

Unfortunately, technology can also have a negative impact. It’s getting increasingly difficult for Westerners to be emotionally present where they’re serving. Rather than becoming culturally immersed, they go out during the day and do ministry, but come back at night to check their Facebook pages and update their blogs. They don’t become part of the local culture because technology is keeping them connected to home.

Paul also gave some helpful advice (which he received from residents in the Global South) regarding the make-up of short-term teams:

I emailed some of my non-western friends and asked, “If you were going to speak to this group, what would you say?” The number one answer was, “send us smaller teams for longer periods.”

If you send a team of six to work with six people from the host country, you’re much more likely to become “culturally embedded” than with a team of forty.

View complete interview by Round Trip Missions.

Cf. discussion of this topic on Brother Euguen’s blog.

Obviously, we at MM are not opposed to using technology (websites, blogs, videos, etc.) for the cause of missions, but articles like these ought force all of us to stop and reevaluate how we use the various forms of media that are available to us. Like anything, they can be distracting, used as a tool for slander, etc. Let us bring these tools before the throne of Christ and ask Him how we can best utilize them for the sake of His name and glory.

- Tim Aynes

Posted in Missiology | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |

Pray for Kyrgyzstan

The Central Asian country of Kyrgyzstan - specifically the southern region - is being ripped apart by ethnic violence. Uzbeks - people from the neighboring Uzbekistan - living in southern Kyrgzstan and native Kyrgz have had skirmishes before and many fear that a civil war could erupt.

A temporary government that came to power in April of this year is unable to maintain control and is requesting outside aide for help in quelling the violence.

Please pray that God would mercifully restore peace to this region of the world; that believers would boldly explain to their neighbors, family, and countrymen that the turmoil that they ought to fear the most is that they are at enmity with God and that He is at enmity with them because of their sin and that Jesus is their only hope to true peace;  that God would allow believers to continue to meet for instruction and fellowship in the form of public worship; and, lastly, that God would send gospel laborers to Krygyzstan and Uzbekistan.

Posted in Announcement, World Issues | Posted by taynes | Print This Post |