• 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!

Central Office Calling (II)

Posted on July 18, 2012 by wtdavid

Howard Brant writes: “God alone knows the exact numbers of workers coming out of the new initiatives.  What we can identify, however, is the epicenters of the largest movements.”  He then goes on to talk about Korea, China, Nigeria and other non Western countries that are sending out significant numbers of new workers to “participate in the Mission of God.”

One of the questions we raised in a previous post is how would new workers from such non Western countries join with the existing missions force?  What would common training look like across this multicultural work force?

A couple of principles come quickly to mind that should direct us in our mobilization and training.  A first principle would be to over communicate widely.  In the process of over communicating widely, we make people from many ‘epicenters of mission’ [other Support Centers, partners, other mission sending initiatives] aware of our own cultural expectations and assumptions as well as allow opportunity for these people to help us better frame our efforts in a more global manner.  A second principle would be to have an open learning stance.  An open learning stance means you see benefit in ideas and experiences shared from a variety of perspectives, different from your own, and that these ideas and experiences actually influence your own plans and strategies.  A final principle would be to seek to demonstrate humility.  The shift of the base of world Christianity to the southern hemisphere places many of us in a decreasing ‘power’ position.  We can no longer act as if we are the center, as if we are the ‘central office’ alone.  The Gospel drives us towards humility by the simple understanding of grace.  It should drive us to humility in  our relationships with this ever growing multicultural work force as we become one of many workers sent out into ‘the Mission of God’.

Navigating this shift can seem daunting. However, it is also thrilling to be part of God’s larger mission not only to gather people from all tribes, tongues and nations to His worshipping community , but also to send people from all tribes, tongues and nations out to reach others and invite them into His  worshipping community.

 

Filed under: Collaboration, Global realities, Partnership | 2 Comments »

Central Office Calling

Posted on July 11, 2012 by wtdavid

“Yet arguably of greater significance, though certainly less widely acknowledged, is the enormous change in the demographics of Christianity worldwide.  Whereas in 1900 the majority of Christians were in Europe and North America, and Christianity was identified as a Western religion, today most Christians reside in the non-Western world, and Christianity is in decline in much of Europe.”  These are the opening lines from the collection of essays on belief and practice in an era of world Christianity entitled: Globalizing Theology. 

There is much that we could “mine” from these few lines, but one thought comes immediately to mind in light of the global shift we are experiencing.   The center from which our ministry emanates is changing.

When we look for resources [workers, funds, prayer, talents and other], where do we often turn?  We go to our ‘central’ or ‘home’ office.  What we learn from the global shift we are experiencing is that our ‘central’ office is no longer one specific Support Center.

Calling our ‘central office’ will mean connecting with Australia, Canada, US, European & Latin American partners and others who will join the larger World Team Global Alliance network.  Resources will be flowing from everywhere to everywhere.

Obviously, this shift raises lots of questions.  For example, what would be our common training across our community?  What would the support of workers from various locations look like and how would those funds be moved towards their support?   Navigating this shift, however, begins with a change in our own heart attitude as to how we see and approach the tremendous growth of the Church in the majority world.

Filed under: Collaboration, Partnership | 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 »

More Lessons Learned

Posted on November 17, 2010 by wtdavid

The more I reflect on what I heard at the Lausanne Congress, the more I realize how many applications and take-aways there are.  But, I would like to wrap up with just two more at this point. 

One is: develop, mentor and release younger leaders.  This has been the subject of numerous posts in the past (see posts starting 05.06.2010), and it was also a major theme of Lausanne both verbally and practically.  Time and again, presenters encouraged experienced leaders to give of their time to engage younger leaders; to develop them as well as learn from them.  More than 700 participants at the conference were younger leaders.  As I said in a blog post several months ago: “We as well are faced with the difficulty of adequately trained (or prepared) workers to continue the ministry.  And it stems from a lack of mentoring or coming alongside new workers as they enter into ministry.  The mission we promote and serve is worth so much more than that of the construction business.  It is imperative that we re-evaluate our priorities and take the time to come around and support/mentor those who are stepping forward to enter into ministry.” 

Secondly, we should live humble, simple and authentic lives.  That is so easy to say, but the implications are profound.  Chris Wright in his presentation on Saturday of the conference ably framed the parameters of what this means for us today as “ministers”, “ambassadors” of God’s Gospel of reconciliation.  At the very least, it means that our lives should be characterized by a prayerful heart as we realize how the roots of selfishness and pride run deep in our hearts.  The result is reflected in the way we hold on to and use the resources God has entrusted to us.

Here’s my list so far:

Number❶ take-away: Preach, proclaim, and share the Gospel fearlessly. 

Number❷ take-away: Recognize that we are living in the 21st century. 

Number❸ take-away: Live out our identity. 

Number❹ take-away: We cannot accomplish the task on our own. 

Number❺ take-away: Develop, mentor and release younger leaders.

Number❻ take-away: Live humble, simple and authentic lives.

 

Would you join me in seeking to live these take-aways out in our lives and ministries and praying to that end?

 

Filed under: Cape Town 2010, Humility, Mentoring, Partnership, Prayer | Leave a comment »

Lessons Learned❹

Posted on November 12, 2010 by wtdavid

Number❶ take-away: Preach, proclaim, and share the Gospel fearlessly. 

Number❷ take-away: Recognize that we are living in the 21st century. 

Number❸ take-away: Live out our identity. 

Thinking further, my number❹ take-away would be: We cannot accomplish the task on our own.  Cape Town 2010 made me realize how “small” my world still is, and how great is our need for global church partnerships.  With the dramatic shift of the center of Christianity to the Global South, more than ever we must explore how to work together with other agencies and national churches/associations.

But even more so, when we are faced with the reality of the immense lostness of our world, we recognize how we need one another to fully participate in God’s great mission:

  • 27 million slaves in the world today, with 10-15 million being children
  • One half of the world population lives on less than $2 USD/day
  • There are more than 18 million orphans
  • 3.5 billion people are either Muslims, Hindus or Buddhists
  • There are 640 Unreached People Groups that do not have any worker among them, nor any worker heading to share the message of Jesus Christ with them

I would encourage you to watch Patrick Fung’s presentation (OMF International Director) from the last day of the Lausanne Congress: http://conversation.lausanne.org/en/conversations/detail/11415.  It is hard hitting, but it made me reflect on what I think about partnerships, and how to approach partnerships from a gospel heart.

If partnerships are bathed in trust, what is my (or our) current trust level with others?  And what small step to further build trust should I (we) take today?

Filed under: Cape Town 2010, Gospel, Partnership | Leave a comment »

Lessons Learned❷

Posted on November 4, 2010 by wtdavid

If the number❶ take-away was: Preach, proclaim, and share the Gospel fearlessly.  Then the number❷ take-away would have to be: Recognize that we are living in the 21st century.  Simply put, we have transitioned from the 20th century to a new era with a new context and new challenges.  We will need to adapt, shift, and yes even change some of our ministry methods and approaches.

In terms of technological advances, internet is a paradigm shifting media tool as was the printing press in its day.  Over one third of the population of a Gulf nation is on Facebook alone. We will need to harness its potential while resisting its alluring appeal to drive us farther away from God and face to face community.

In terms of social changes, there is more slavery and human trafficking occurring today than during the time of William Wilberforce who worked tirelessly to have slavery abolished throughout the United Kingdom.  Not that we should shift our focus from establishing communities of believers, but those communities must engage the world around them.  As John Piper said, “For the sake of Christ, we Christians care about all suffering, especially eternal suffering.  If you feel a resistance to the second half of this statement, then you have a defective view of hell.  If you feel a resistance to the first half of this statement, then you have a defective heart.” 

In terms of changes in religious faiths, today over 1 billion people in the world call themselves M’s. Few are the resources that are being directed to reach out to this people.  Many M’s are in unengaged, unreached people groups with no known worker among them or being sent to reach them.  That reality must be taken into consideration as we seek to mobilize human, financial and prayer resources.

In terms of mission, it is becoming harder to mobilize workers to ministries.  “Support raising”, as traditionally understood, is taking longer.  We will need to find creative ways to “support” workers in ministries.  Workers are coming from everywhere wanting to be sent everywhere.  With this, come all the difficulties of communication in a multicultural team in a cross cultural context.

Recognizing that we are living in the 21st century should cause us to lean more dependently on God, listening to His voice as He enables us to adapt, change and serve him joyfully in a world in flux.

Filed under: Cape Town 2010, Mission, Mobilization, Partnership | 6 Comments »

« Previous Page — Next Page »

  • Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    Join 206 other subscribers

  • Categories

  • Recent Comments

  • Archives

  • Goodreads