Time to Revamp Missions
January 24th, 2008
“We still do missions as we did it two hundred and fifty years ago. we want to learn a language; we want to send our missionaries to plant churches; we ignore the presence of an indigenous church movement, the restrictions of nations. . . The world outside the church is telling us, if we are going to get the bottom line to have its highest return, we must move from the paradigm of independence to interdependence. Missions in the context of globalization must understand that there is greater leverage in building synergy than establishing our banners. It is amazing how secular organizations have understood the concept and developed partnerships that have brought great dividends to their companies. . . . It’s time to stop establishing our identity and begin to bring our resources together and work together in the context of interdependence. We must find ways to enter nations from all sides and with every opportunity; we should let the values of the scripture speak through us so that the lost are reached and discipled into the kingdom of God. . . The missionaries of colonialism failed the church when they failed to see the handwriting on the wall and prepare national leadership.”
Dr. Paul R. Gupta, President of the Hindustan Bible Institute and College in India
The key question is, “what is our motivation?” Are we motivated by the love of God? Are we motivated by self interest? Are we motivated by a savior complex?
There is a fine line between paternalism and service. It starts in the heart - then becomes a motivation - then becomes a series of actions, good and bad. Service is love in action which expects nothing in return. Service is done in a safe environment of acceptance. Paternalism is narrow and rigid, expecting something in return.
We are all needed to change the world. All of us working together, using our gifts and passions. We can not afford paternalism, politics and self interest.
February 19th, 2008 at 6:31 am
I am a senior youth ministry major at Central Christian College in McPherson Kansas. This week I have been shaken by God. I can’t ignore the fact there are so many people being enslaved throughout the world and the people in my world are relatively untouched [many even unaware] of what is happening. I have begun praying for the victims of human trafficking. I am planning to raise money with a group of other students, but I want to do more. I want to work with the victims. I want to be a part of bringing the hope of the gospel. I feel unqualified and I don’t know what I need to do to begin to work in this field. Where should I start?
March 4th, 2008 at 1:51 am
When I read the quote, the question that came to my mind is how do we work together with other like-minded organizations in our “field” without attaching our particular label (denomination or mission) to the work? We can do that in some limited ways but with current funding structures, people in N. American churches want to see that their resources are being used to further their particular brand of ministry.