• 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!

Going global

Posted on June 15, 2012 by wtdavid

Later this month, the current World Team International board will decide whether to approve the launch of a new global structure to oversee World Team, which would be called the World Team Global Alliance (WTGA).  One question I have often heard is: “Why the word change from ‘international’ to ‘global’?”

One reason is that research on global structures showed that international does not mean global.  What people mean in organizations that use the term, “international”, is that they desire to be global in their efforts, but they are actually working from a one culture perspective.  Whereas, the term, “global”, conveys a sense of inclusion of a larger number of equal partners committed to the fulfillment of a common objective or vision.

A second reason would be our desire to make collaborative partnerships between our different Support Centers, partnering agencies and workers more relational.  Partnership, alliance, networks are all buzz words in our circles these days. They are excellent concepts.  However, all of these flow out of a relational community that exists between us as believers around the world.  Therefore, what we do together should flow out of and enhance our spiritual relationship and community with one another.  [My thanks to Detlef for this insight.]

The apostle Paul underscores this thought when he writes: “And you Philippians yourselves know that in the beginning of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with me in giving and receiving, except you only.” (4.15)  Paul speaks of the partnership, the working relationship that existed between himself and the Philippian church in the context of his desire to send Timothy and Epaphroditus to them.   It was the relational community that existed between them that allowed each other to share tangible gifts (4.16), as well as people (2.19-30) for the purpose of mutual support and edification.

Going global is not a journey that happens because of a word change.  It involves a commitment to live out of and in community with one another.

 

Filed under: Global realities, Mission, Partnership | 1 Comment »

Are you gathering for prayer?

Posted on January 24, 2012 by wtdavid

Tomorrow marks the start of some important meetings. From Wednesday through Friday of this week, members of the global structure task force are meeting here at our house to finalize a proposal for creating a global network or alliance to better support and resource our World Team ministries. 

Right after that (starting Saturday), our leadership team of Area Directors and Sending Country arrives for a weeklong conference where we will share draft project plans for the coming years that seek to further our global vision in light of global trends.  There will be much discussion and feedback intended to refine and improve these project plans.

We have asked for prayer for both of these meetings for the past number of weeks.  I am asking again for your prayers during these days.  Would you gather for prayer with others and pray for these discussions that God would give wisdom and insight?

It is not an easy task to gather for pray.  We often find ourselves coming up with numerous reasons why we should put it off times of prayer until another more “convenient” time.   On February 2nd or 3rd, World Team is setting aside a Day of Prayer.  This is an opportunity for us to celebrate what God is doing and to pray for current needs.  This is an opportunity for us to be innovative in our approach to prayer together.

  • Perhaps gathering might mean inviting a group of workers by Skype conference to pray together online for half an hour.
  • Perhaps gathering might mean opening your home or apartment in the morning for an open time of prayer.  People could come whenever they wanted, and stay to pray as long as they could.
  • Perhaps gathering might mean meeting for a meal, praying before the meal, during the meal and after the meal for World Team ministries.

Maybe you have other ideas about how to gather for prayer.

 

Filed under: Global realities, Prayer | Leave a comment »

In the midst of change

Posted on December 12, 2011 by wtdavid

Over the past year, we have been dialoguing together on the impact of global currents on the outworking of World Team’s global vision.  Many of you have either been involved in working groups discussing this topic or have freely shared your thoughts and ideas with me.

Earlier in the year, I made available the Global QuickVIEW document on this blog.  Now I would like to make available two documents that were given to all our leaders: “Leading Well in the Midst of Change” and “Resources Supplement”.  Simply right click on the link below to save these documents for yourself.

Leading Well in the Midst of Change

Resources Supplement

Working through all the input that was given by workers in the WT community, a series of ‘guiding principles’ were drawn up to direct our next planning process.  The “Leading Well in the Midst of Change” document is an attempt to provide a framework for the development of ministry plans over the coming months, knowing that change will be needed for the new contexts that we find.  The “Resources Supplement” summarizes all the input given as to possible broad-based solutions to our global vision in light of global currents.

As you read these documents, I encourage you to ask yourself and your team these questions:

  • What concepts, ideas, or insights do I resonate with as I read through these documents?
  • What trend(s) is most at work in my area of ministry?
  • What changes will I (we) need to make in order to carry out more fruitfully our vision of innovative teams multiplying disciples and communities of believers bringing the Gospel within reach of lost people everywhere we go?

Filed under: Assessment, Global realities, Vision | 3 Comments »

We are global

Posted on November 9, 2011 by wtdavid

Traveling around to our various regions, I regularly hear comments like the following: “We need to make sure the home office is aware of this information,” or “who is the person in the home office that I need to talk to about this issue?”  I will inevitably respond by asking: Which home office do you mean?  Now I know what office the person is referring to.  He/she is talking about the US Ministry Support Center, or to put it more simply, the US office.   However, World Team has ‘home offices’ in Australia, Canada and the US.

We are global.

I realize that we could chalk this up to a simple oversight on our part, given that a large portion of our workers come from the United States.  However, the reality is that we are now mobilizing workers from a variety of different locations.  Should other Sending Countries be established, which is a live option in the coming year, the pool from which workers could be mobilized would further increase.

We are global.

Several of our Team Leaders, Field Leaders and Area Staff are non North American.

We are global.

The World Team International board is discussing a proposal to create a global alliance where selected members of each Sending Country would participate together in the oversight of global ministries.  In this scenario, a global alliance would be made up of an equal number of Australian, Canadian and US representatives plus a number of other international representatives.

We are global.

It’s a small change, but it would signal a step forward towards becoming more international, towards becoming WT Global.  Instead of saying ‘home office’ with the understanding that ‘home office’ equals ‘US office’, let’s specify which office we are referring to: the Australian office, the Canadian office or the US office.  Try it out!  Encourage others in this ‘name change.’

We are global.

Filed under: Communication, Global realities | 4 Comments »

Trends Update

Posted on November 7, 2011 by wtdavid

Ed, one of our most experienced and insightful workers, writes:

“According to James Glassman, a senior economist with JPMorgan Chase in the October 31 –November 6, 2011, issue of the Bloomberg/Businessweek we are globally in the middle of a dramatic change.  We have never witnessed structural employment like what we have now.  Industry has always preferred to hire people that have the ability needed to pull their weight on the job from day one, but we have never seen this amplified as it is today.  Businesses are benefiting from extensive new markets opening globally; yet, fewer young people are getting jobs since businesses are putting and emphasis to a degree never seen before on experience, education and skills.  Globally young people without these qualities can not find jobs.  This phenomenon is not due only to the recession but also due to the forces of globalization and the global shifts in economic power.  This is one of the majors causes of youth discontent, unrest, and even riots from Greece to the Occupy Wall Street movements, which will likely continue long-term since a major contributing cause is globalization.”

What does this trend mean to WT with it God-given mandate?

How will this trend impact us in areas such as –mobilization, criteria for acceptance as a cross cultural worker, and ministry?

What biblical truth will seem relevant to these disillusioned young people?

How will the churches planted be perceived by these unemployed and unemployable youth as having any answers to their top felt needs?

What decisions should WT make now in the light of this trend?

Also what strategic actions should WT implement viewing this trend short-term and long-term?

Filed under: Church planting, Global realities | 1 Comment »

GQV Save

Posted on June 23, 2011 by wtdavid

I have uploaded the Global QuickVIEW document to this TATJ blog post.  You can simply right click on the file below and save it to your reading.

Global QuickVIEW June 2011b

This document is the fruit of a working group that I put together in early January 2011.

As you read this document, reflect on these questions:

  • Which trend(s) are you recognizing the most already in ministry?
  • Which cited trend catches you most unaware…or perhaps you are doubtful of?
  • Which trends do you believe will more directly impact church planting?
  • For which trends is WT currently least prepared?    …best prepared?

In conjunction with reading the Global QuickVIEW, I would encourage you to listen to an audio interview with Fritz Kling, author of The Meeting of the Waters, at http://www.themissionexchange.org/media/leadersInterview/kling.mp3

Filed under: Global realities | Leave a comment »

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