Get Out of the Way!

I was at a mission conference in 2000 when I heard a speaker say, "If you are not going to those who have never heard, get out of the way!"  A mission bully.  I am certain he meant well, but what he communicated is that what I do was not as valuable as what he did.  He was wrong.  I have never known how to say that in a kind way.  Grady does a better job in his post today than I could have ever pulled off.  Either click on the link above to read his thoughts or read them below.

Few can dispute the impact of the 10/40 window concept coined by Luis Bush in 1990.  As we closed in on the new millenium it became the rallying cry for all involved in missions.  Not only was it a brilliant marketing idea and educational… it also helped to redefine strategies for mission agencies all over the world.  The movement has been supported with countless conferences, books, music and other merchandise…and it’s worked…more people are aware of the overall needs of the 10/40 window than 20 years ago.

Sadly there have been a few side effects of this focus.  First, other areas of the world have seen drastic reductions or even elimination of missionary presence. Areas deemed less “unreached”, outside of the window, have been crossed off the list (which doesn’t line up with Acts 1:8).  Europe has seen a drastic reduction in the size of it’s missionary force while at the same time the culture has moved to be increasingly post-Christian and even more Muslim in certain countries (thanks to immigrant movement).

The other side effect is mission elitists. There seems to be a mentality that real missionaries serve in the 10/40 window and those who can’t cut it serve in Europe or South America.  When we were going through training to serve in Barcelona we felt it and we heard it.  Do we really think that God sees it this way?  Do we really think that one guy can be more lost than another one?  Will God judge the lost man from Norway differently from the lost one from Libya?

I’ve heard the arguments.  “No one deserves to hear twice until all have heard once.” Where is that in the Bible?  Did you respond after hearing once? Does Jesus mention that in the GC or in his final command in Acts 1:8?  And actually…do any of us actually deserve the Gospel?  No, we all deserve death and hell, it’s by God’s grace that He allows us to hear and respond to the Gospel.  A lost soul is a lost soul, regardless of Geography.  We need to get past comparing and thinking that the harder the place, spiritually and physically, the more God is pleased with our ministry.  Isn’t this a Buddhist concept?

I’ve seen a lot of people come to the field because of guilt, and they don’t last long.  I’ve seen alot of people feel called to Europe, Central-South America, Japan and yet feel the pressure by the mission bullies that only the real missionaries serve in the 10/40.  I don’t think Jesus feels this way and I don’t think this was Luis Bush’s intention in 1990.  I agree that reaching those in the 10/40 window is vital.  But don’t do it out of guilt, or trying to please God with your suffering.  Do it because he’s called you and remember that those serving in other places feel that same calling.  There is life beyond the 10/40 window.

Science and Christians

I majored in science education more than 25 years ago and took lots of science classes at university.  Geology and biology were my favorites.  There were some great professors and lab instructors; a few of the other kind as well, but mostly really good teachers.  As a new believer, I was surprised by two things: the animosity of scientists against the church, religion, Christians, and God AND the animosity of the church against scientists and science.  I did not understand.

Robert Jastrow wrote a book during these years called, God and the Astronomers.  Jastow's book ended with the following, "For the scientist who has lived by his faith in the power of reason, the story ends like a bad dream. He has scaled the mountains of ignorance; he is about to conquer the highest peak; as he pulls himself over the final rock, he is greeted by a band of theologians who have been sitting there for centuries."  Powerful stuff.  I heard things at churches and from Christians against modern scientific endeavor which left me questioning sanity and intelligence.  I began to understand the animosity.

The church of centuries ago persecuted many believers and scientists for making scientific advances.  The confess-the-universe-revolves-around-the-earth-or-be-tortured-and-executed" mentality in real life.  The church of today, primarily from the fundamental and evangelical side, has many who would have fit into that era without a hitch.  Working toward kindness, not animosity, seems to be a better approach than ridicule, negativity, and belittlement.  And, it definitely seems better than the torture-and-execute-if-you-won't-agree approach to engaging people.

Wade Burleson has a blog article today worth reading.  In particular, the story, links and book are worth taking some time to read.  As I have shared with atheists, the approach found here has been much more effective than the sledge-hammer-theory of evangelism I have seen and heard of.

Jesus Needed EE!

A great article by Alan Knox, who write a blog called, The Assembling of the Church, challenges many assumptions about what is the proper way to explain our faith to others.  The argument could be made that it is not fair to evaluate the methods of Jesus by those we would apply to ourselves, as he had a bit more insight into each individual's circumstances than we typically do.  Of course, the argument could also be made that possibly God did not create us all exactly the same and expects us to do things differently.

It really is okay to be positive with our brothers and sisters in Christ, even if they are different than we are.  It really is okay to be open and teachable to new ways of "doing" ministry.  It is okay to be positive, uplifting, and encouraging, even when we may not agree 100% with our fellow Christians or others.  It is okay, and it is based not upon unity in practice, but unity in Christ.

Still a Virgin?

An interesting and encouraging piece from Kevin Bussey about Tim Tebow, his faith, service of the Lord, and handling a sports writer's question about his sexuality.  He is a virgin and plans to stay that way until marriage.  A good example to share with your children never hurts!

My Heart Bleeds

I have felt like, well, really bad this week.  It has, I have allowed it to anyway, affected my attitude and spirit.  The details are boring on both illness and bad attitude fronts, but I thought a cure might be helpful.  Remember what Christ has done and to read about those who have truly suffered with a great attitude.

First, I downloaded the free .pdf book from Piper, "Filling Up the Afflictions of Christ."  Reading just the first pages this morning and already realizing what a wimp I really have been this week.

Next, checking out some more Piper resources like, "You Will Be Eaten by Cannibals!  Lessons from the Life of John G. Paton."  You can listen to this one or download it.  Sometimes there are certain officials who block us at seemingly every turn for whom, being eaten by cannibals that is, this seems like a just punishment; however, just the promo quote has left me thinking that a little illness is not worth a bad attitude!

After that, I followed another link and found Piper's series called, "Men of Whom the World Was Not Worthy."  There looks to be some great stuff in this and I was reminded to remember "the great cloud of witnesses" who have gone before.

Last, I read Wade's blog post from today and was reminded in it of a young man who dies serving through Awe Star ministries during a summer missions project.  You can read that article here.