• Our hope-filled future is bound up in sharing the story of Jesus, in discipling others, in bringing those disciples together into communities of believers, and in developing and releasing those believers to create other communities... till Jesus the King comes again!

Ministry practice 1.2

Posted on October 11, 2011 by wtdavid

What is that we actually do as cross cultural workers?  The CPM Roadmap (like the WT Continuum) makes an attempt at ‘painting a picture’ to describe the ministry in which we are engaged.  It is a good model, a good
framework from which to work.

Could we look at cross cultural ministry from another perspective or outlook in order to help better grasp the task or the journey that we are on?

The first step we take in cross cultural life and ministry is to engage others in spiritual conversations. Spiritual conversations are not an attempt to contort everything that we are talking about around to some Scripture verse or biblical principle.  Spiritual conversations are engaging others in talking about what forms the framework for the way they see the world and live.  It is a dialogue between people where we seek, as the opportunities arise, to share the gospel framework in such a way that it arouses interest and reflection.

The Bible describes our role in one way as that of being an “ambassador”.

It is not an easy task.  John Wesley describes his struggles in a journal entry in 1738: “went several times the following days, with a design to speak to the sailors, but could not. I mean, I was quite averse [willing, wanting to] to speaking; I could not see how to make an occasion, and it seemed quite absurd to speak without. Is not this what men commonly mean by, “I could not speak”? And is this a sufficient cause of silence, or no? Is it a prohibition from the Good Spirit? or a temptation from nature, or the evil one?”

So, what do we do?  Pray.  We need to ask Him to open up opportunities for spiritual conversations.  Depend on the Spirit.  The Spirit must prepare and open a person’s heart for them to be responsive to any conversation. We must ask Him to move in people’s lives.  Timing.  We cannot force a conversation.  Divine opportunities are just that, divine opportunities.  We seek for open doors, and wait for God to open those doors up to us.

 

 

Filed under: Communication, Crossing cultures, Listening, Prayer, Sharing the Gospel story | 6 Comments »

“Inbetweeners”

Posted on March 18, 2011 by wtdavid

I ran across this quote today and thought it was worth posting in place of our ongoing discussion on what we mean by “church”.  I have used the word “workers” to replace the normal word used:

“All workers now have a new role of inbetweeners.  They are bridge-persons, culture brokers, who stand between worlds and help each to understand the other. They stand between the church and unreached people and between churches and missions in different lands.  This calls for a new understanding of the psychological, social, and cultural nature of the workers of the future.  They must truly be bicultural or transcultural people, living in different worlds but not fully at home in any of them.”

I am an “inbetweener” in my life as a believer as I experience the “already and the not yet”, seeking to bridge living in this world with the longing to be in the full presence of my Father.  But I am also an “inbetweener” in my work with others, seeking to build bridges of relationships whereby the message of the Father can be shared with many.

There’s a lot to consider in being an “inbetweener”.

Filed under: Contextualization, Crossing cultures, Mission | 2 Comments »

Are You a Lifer?

Posted on December 3, 2010 by wtdavid

Words are a tricky thing.  Different meanings can be attributed to the same word depending on the context, culture and generation.  For example, the French equivalent for the word “opportunity” is “l’opportunité”.  That is practically the same spelling.  However, the meaning of the word in each language is very different.  In American English, it means a chance or an occasion [to do something].  Whereas, in French, it means a one off opportunity that may not soon be repeated.  So, you can probably understand why French believers snickered one day when the American leading worship said: “I am grateful for this ‘opportunité’ to lead worship this morning.

We need to better understand our context and audience, and then adapt our language in order to communicate clearly.  That is a little of how I feel in our mobilization discussions.  Those of us from the earlier generations (that is, pre 80s) talk about short-term and long-term workers.  Those terms can have either a negative or a very different meaning for those from later generations (that is, post 80s).  Probably not the best word choice to be using in our discussions.

There is no question about the need for ‘longer term’ work.  There are many things that simply will not happen in cross cultural ministry if sufficient time is not given to that effort.  But how do we express a key principle in other words?

That’s why I’m starting to call myself now a ‘lifer’ (see Global Mission Handbook, 166).   A ‘lifer’ is a person who has simply chosen to give his/her life, to make his/her career to minister in cross cultural contexts.  Those who come out for short or midterm opportunities are a certainly a vital part of the larger ministry.  But, “it’s the [lifer] who, over time, builds relationships with the people, understands their culture and sensitively contextualizes the gospel within that vibrant reality.” (166)

We’re looking for ‘lifers’.

Filed under: Crossing cultures, Mission, Mobilization | Leave a comment »

God Is Up To Something

Posted on October 15, 2010 by wtdavid

We apostolic workers can forget sometimes what it means, what it feels like to cross into another culture.  We can so adapt ourselves to the cultures where we currently minister that we become “one culture” focused again, acting out of that cultural mindset. Having ministered in a European context for the past twenty years, I know that I, like others, have become guarded or cautious about effusive expressions of graciousness or kindness from others, like many Europeans.  That was quickly dispelled by a few “divine encounters” here in Cape Town. 

  • Sitting on the flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town, I had pulled my Bible out to do some reading when a guy going by me, taps me on the shoulder and says, “Great book you’re reading.”  I was actually reading Psalm 98 which is an interesting read in light of the Lausanne Conference.
  • As I passed through customs and out the exit, I was greeted by a number of people in yellow Cape Town 2010 tee shirts.  “Where are you from?” they asked, “May the Lord bless your time here.”  It felt sincere, it felt good, and it felt like a blessing.
  • As about 100 of us lined up to take one of the many shuttles to the International Conference Center of Cape Town, we were “welcomed” by a South African singing & dance troupe like none I have ever seen in Europe.  Their joy was explosive and contagious, and they didn’t stop until the shuttle bus started to pull away.  

I was crossing again into another culture (into numerous cultures when one thinks about the overall conference) and the anticipation, the uncertainty and the thrill of the experience was coming back.  You remember what it was like.  And you remember that though you thought it was really about you and what you were going to do, God showed you that it was really about Him and what He was going to teach you through the experience as well as what He could do through you.

God is up to something here at Cape Town.  I trust He is “up to something” where you are as well.

Filed under: Cape Town 2010, Crossing cultures, Gospel | 2 Comments »

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