• 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!

He was here first

Posted on February 21, 2014 by wtdavid

I read an interesting article in the French evangelical journal, Théologie Evangélique, this past week.  The article presented the ministry of David Bogue who was the impetus behind a missionary training centre in the UK in the late 18th century.  Though he never served as a cross cultural worker, he was instrumental in the preparation and sending of numerous workers to many parts of the then known world.god_is_here

What particularly caught my attention was the fact that several workers from this school either came from Europe or left to serve as workers in Europe once their training was completed.  I have often looked upon Europe or other parts of the world as somewhat ‘untouched’ by the Gospel.  However, God has been ‘working this soil’ for quite some time.

He was already here building His Church in Europe (and elsewhere) long before we arrived in the late 80s.

Two takeaways come quickly to mind.  First, we should see our work in the larger context of His work, of His mission.  Doing so, will allow us to recognize that the success or fruit in our ministry does not ultimately depend on us.  Second, we need to read more history.  I was stunned by the fact that this British pastor, with limited resources, had a vision so much larger than many today, and saw the fulfillment of that vision.  To think that France, for one, was already being touched by the Gospel efforts of one man in the late 18th century should  encourage many of us in the further work of sowing now in the 21st century.

No matter where we are in the world, God was there before we ever got there.  He is still seeking out people.  The amazing truth is that He chooses to use us as part of the means to accomplish His missionary purpose.

 

Filed under: Mission, Reflection, Wisdom | 2 Comments »

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 »

What’s our responsibility?

Posted on April 27, 2012 by wtdavid

Sometimes when I’m reading along in a book, a quote just jumps off the page and really forces me to reflect at a deeper level.

That was the case with this quote I read the other day:

“The responsibility of the church in the new age is the same as its responsibility in every age.  It is to testify that this world is lost in sin; that that the span of human life – no, all the length of human history – is an infinitesimal island in the awful depths of eternity; that there is a mysterious, holy, living God, creator of all, Upholder of all, infinitely beyond all; that he has revealed himself to us  through Jesus Christ the Lord; that there is no other salvation, for individuals or for nations, save this, but that this salvation is full and free, and that whoever possesses it has for himself and for all others to whom he may be the instrument of bringing it a treasure compared with which all the kingdoms of the earth – no, all the wonders of the starry heavens – are as the dust of the street.  An unpopular message it is – an impractical message, we are told.  But it is the message of the Christian church.  Neglect it, and you will have destruction; heed it, and you will have life.”

I had to ask myself again if my life and ministry are aligned with that singular purpose and responsibility. Then I asked myself if our lives and ministries together as a community reflect a singular commitment to this calling.  It certainly makes you sit back and reflect.

 

Next post: Spheres of influence?

Filed under: Church, Mission, Reflection | Leave a comment »

Ministry practice 5.0

Posted on November 3, 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.

As we continue to look at cross cultural ministry from another perspective, we said that the first step is to engage others in spiritual conversations.  The second step is to encourage others to read God’s story contained in the Bible. The third step is to journey with people in their discovery of God.  Another step then might be to invite people into community.

We work, most of the time, from the following model  when we invite people ‘into’ community (described by Stuart Murray in his book, Church Planting: Laying Foundations):

Belief   [which leads to]        Behavior  [which leads to]        Belong

 

Right belief is seen as a prerequisite for participating in the community.  That belief should then give way to right behavior which demonstrates the authenticity of one’s commitment to Christ.  There is certainly much truth in that statement.  As the Bible says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”  (Matthew 5:16)

However, what would happen to our thinking about community if we flipped this model/process in this way:

 
Belong   [which leads to]        Behavior  [which leads to]         Belief

 

What if we invited people, people on the journey to discovering God, to first experience the community of believers?  Would they experience Christianity in a different way?  Would Christianity become life rather than just adherence to certain propositional truths?

It’s an interesting discussion.

So what should we do?   We pray boldly asking for God’s wisdom to know how to invite people into community, the community of God’s people. We depend on the Spirit to lead people in seeing real Christianity (right belief issuing in right behavior) as they journey towards Him.  We trust God’s Spirit to lead many to come to a living and vibrant faith in Jesus.

Filed under: Church planting, Community, Mission, Sharing the Gospel story | 4 Comments »

Ministry practice 2.4

Posted on October 25, 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 is to engage others in spiritual conversations. The second step is to encourage others to read God’s story contained in the Bible. The third step is to journey with people in their discovery of God. We live in a world that is hurtling forward at light speed. Every day, businesses as well as we as people are confronted with a multitude of decisions that must be made seemingly within microseconds. However, the shifting of the spiritual framework that directs our lives will not happen in a nanosecond, a microsecond or even a few minutes. That is why we must journey with people.

People are not ‘projects’ for our cross cultural work. People are relational beings, created in the image of God, but ostracized from Him by the disruption of sin. Our work is to call people back to relationship with the Creator God. Relationships are a building process; they are a journey that has its highs and lows.

This is why prayer is so critical to the journey. In prayer, we recognize that people are set on this journey, and ultimately only discover God because He works to open their hearts.

So what do we do? We pray boldly asking God to open people’s eyes to discover Him. We depend on the Spirit for the patience to journey with others well, not dragging them to God, but allowing them to discover God for themselves. We trust God’s Spirit to lead many to see the outcome of that journey to be the discovery of the God of grace and of His unfailing love.

Filed under: Gospel, Mission, Sharing the Gospel story | 2 Comments »

Which One Is It?

Posted on March 30, 2011 by wtdavid

Ministry is our life, but when we come down to “assessing” that ministry, we run into a seemingly endless debate. 

Some will argue that what God asks of us is nothing more than to be “faithful”.  Any accomplishment or fruit is ultimately His work.  We should not focus on “success”, but on faithfully carrying out the work that God has called us to.  Texts such as 1 Corinthians 4:2 “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” and 2 Timothy 2:2 “And these things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also” are offered to support this thought.

Others argue that God has called us to bear fruit for His glory.  God entrusted us with a message, and desires that this message bear fruit in more disciples, more leaders, and more communities.  Texts such as John 15:8 “By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples” are put forth as clearly teaching that our work needs to lead to something.

What about if both of these elements have flaws?  I have always thought the simple answer was that you needed both in ministry.  But, as I reflected more on this discussion, I realized there are questions that arise with each element.

For one, if faithfulness is your primary value, the hard question would be: what standard will you use to assess how you have used God’s gifts to you?  Over and over, the Bible makes reference (through parable and straight up teaching) to the wise use or investment of God’s resources, and the subsequent “return” on those resources.  Certainly, some of that “return” may not happen in your lifetime, but this is a legitimate question that arises.

If fruitfulness is your primary value, the hard question would be: at what moment does your “work” become an obstacle to the further expansion of God’s work?  The emphasis in the Scriptures is making disciples who will make disciples; it’s a ‘giving away’ of our work and fruit.  Yes, God wants us to bear fruit, but we must show ourselves as faithful “stewards” of what God has given to us, always moving out of the way, and giving away what He allows us to see as fruit.

Being “faithful” and “fruitful” requires that we be willing to address these hard questions.

Filed under: Faithfulness & Fruitfulness, Mission | 2 Comments »

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