R T B M ~ Returning To Biblical Missions

"Turn Out the Lights"

Back in the 70's, ancient history for some, "Dandy" Don Meredith, former Dallas Cowboy player, was best known for his singing, "turn out the lights, the party's over. . . ", when it was obvious that the game was over during Monday Night Football.  Although I do not wish to sing, I can say that the party is over for the RTBM blog.  It has been a good outlet for me and others to discuss the issues critical to missions and the missionary effort.  

I am appreciative of the support and encouragement that I have received over these past several years.  I hope at some level others have be positively impacted by what they read at RTBM.  So very soon when you click your link to www.rtbm.typepad.com or if you have RTBM set up on an RSS feed, you will find that the site is gone.  The part is over.

However, as one season ends another one begins.  I am resurfacing in another blog that is more personal in nature as we embark upon a new chapter in our life.  The new blog is entitled:  Urban Phobia   Hope to see you there soon.

http://urbanphobia.wordpress.com/

Where Is Urban?

On many occasions we toss around terminology and ideas as if there is a consensus to the meaning of these terms.  One example of this, in the midst of a new emphasis upon the global urban challenge, is how to answer the question, where or what is urban?

More than presenting a traditional definition of the term urban, many are choosing to describe it's nature and characteristics. However, even a cursory search of discussions related to cross-cultural efforts, there appears to be a fair amount of disagreement on this topic.  This process of identifying an urban setting has the tendency to be more subjective than objective.

The word "urban" itself is an adjective derived from the Latin "urbanus', from "urbs" meaning city. At the same time it is interesting to observe that Webster's online dictionary defines urban as, "relating to, characteristic of, or constituting a city".  These two points do not seem to be much help in that you now have to define the characteristics of a city.

Factors such as population density, total population within a specified geographic area, sociological uniqueness, core versus metropolitan geography, and the understood economic core of a location seem to play a significant role in one's understanding.  How far out within a metro area can you travel and still remain urban before passing into suburbia?  Another way to approach this question is to ask, where is the city?

At this moment in my own investigation and understanding of where is urban, two factors have come to the forefront of my thinking.  The factors of population density and self-awareness seem to have a significant impact in developing a description of a city.  The concentration of people along with one's understanding of where they live is critical to defining a city.  But can you have a city but still not be urban in nature?

The quest for understanding continues.

From the Prayer Closet to the Office

I'm curious.  When did the missionary's prayer closet become the missionary's office?  In my own life as well as many of my colleagues the idea of a place to get away to hear a word from the Father tends to be overshadowed by a need to go to the office.  There is no doubt that the missionary task is a conglomeration of various activities and practices.  Our perspective of this fact can easily lead us in a direction that is challenging at best.

Our perceived drive to complete the tasks of our work often impedes the work of the Holy Spirit.  We too often forget, or maybe at times ignore the fact that our power is found in Him and not in effective strategies.  Practice followed by the obligatory, "Lord please bless our efforts", rings hollow the halls of heaven.

So much of what is done in the name of the missionary task has little to do with the Kingdom growth.  We have substituted busyness for holiness, best practices for prayer, and good intentions for following the Father's leadership. 

I have recently been reminded that in the record of the New Testament Jesus never told His disciples to go without telling them what to do as they were going.  Obedience is more than a one time decision, but rather following in the footsteps of Christ; not veering off in another direction.  Before we can teach others obedience based discipleship our lives should reflect a disciple who is obedient. 

There are many issues of life and work that clamor for our attention. The real decision is where will we spend our time; at the office or in our prayer closet?

What if Missions Came to America?

What if US churches were the recipients of missionary strategies and efforts?  On the international field we claim to practice the latest, most innovative strategies for evangelism, discipleship, and church planting.  Does it not then seem reasonable then that we would incorporate these same methods at "home"?

It is difficult to say with any great amount of certainty what the response would be, but it does raise interesting questions that would be answered.  For example:

1. How would churches, associations, and conventions respond to new and non-traditional church models?

2. Would full-time salaried church staffs increase or would a bi-vocational model become the norm?

3. How would tithes and offerings be utilized for both local ministry and global evangelization?

4. Would more church members be directly involved in church planting?

5. Would there be a greater level of accountability leading to a greater obedience to the commands of Christ?

6. Would fewer church buildings be constructed?

7. How would current ecclesiastical structures be impacted?

8. Would there be a greater level of unity or disunity?

9. Would baptisms and the number of new church starts increase?

10. What would a worldview study reveal about the bridges, barriers, and gaps for sharing the Gospel?

Recognizing that my perspective and knowledge of all that is currently taking place in the US in terms of church planting efforts is limited at best, it has been my experience that those partnering with cross-cultural missionary efforts seem surprised when it is suggested that these same practices incorporated overseas can also be implemented where they normally live as well.  Why is this such a shock? 

Could this be why most missionaries struggle when returning to the US?  Is there a reverse culture shock that takes place within the disconnect of cross-cultural missions efforts and US strategies and practice?  May we take much care in not implying that international churches and church planting efforts are not without their shortcomings and challenges.  International missionaries do not have all the answers and are not froth with shortcomings of our own.

Based upon our understanding of cross-cultural evangelism, discipleship, and church planting, would these same strategies and practices make a difference if implemented in a US cultural context?  If nothing else, it is an interesting proposition to ponder.

The Power of Prayer: Tuila - Part 2

Over the next 18 months six more prayer walk teams came to visit Tuila. Each time the people in the village grew friendlier to their coming. After the third team several of the Tuila Baptists once again began to worship in the home of Elias Yat Ca’al. As time went by the number of worshipers outgrew his humble dirt floor home. All the people helped with labor and materials to extend the south end of Elias’ house six meters to accommodate the crowd.

When each team would come to visit and pray the man injured in the accident would always come and ask us to pray for him. Each team would present the plan of salvation through an interpreter. He never accepted Christ during that time. During the visit of the last prayer walk team he stated: “The church in Tuila will no longer be persecuted; it has many friends over the world and they come to visit and encourage our people.”

In the fall of 2002, the K’ekchi’ Baptist Association initiated the construction of a new church building in Tuila. In December 2002 that building was dedicated and stands today as a symbol of “The Power of Prayer”

The Power of Prayer: Tuila - Part 1

The following story is true and recounts the amazing power of prayer as multiple prayerwalk teams did what prayerwalk teams do; they PRAY.  What happens as a result is, well you read for yourself and decide.

#1 Tuila - A small village in NE Guatemala  by Cleve Turner

In March of 1999 the Baptist church in the K’ekchi’ Maya village of Tuila (2-e-LA) held an evangelistic
crusade. It was a huge success and many people responded to the Gospel messages and accepted Christ. Like in many Latin cultures missionaries don't count the number of professions of faith but the number of Baptisms.  When they baptized the new believers, they added about 50% to the membership of the church.

One of those Baptized was the catechist of the Catholic church in Tuila. The leadership of the Catholic Church did not appreciate his going over to the Baptist church so the following Sunday night the priest and some of the church leadership went into the Baptist church with guns. They told the congregation that if they didn’t get out now they would die. They left and then the church was burned. Their families were threatened and they were told not to resume evangelical worship in the town.

One year later they still had not resumed worship. In April 2000, on an overcast, dark, gloomy day, a YouthLink-2000 PrayerWalk team from Georgia visited Tuila. It was obvious that they were not welcome in the village. It was difficult to find someone who would tell the team leaders where the church was. When the location was found and the team went there, a group of men gathered to apparently discuss what to do about this. Two of the Spanish-speaking team leaders went to talk to them. Four team members maintained a vantage point near the vehicles while seven of the young people went onto the property to pray.

All that remains of the church is a rectangle of posts that the wall planks were attached to. One of the girls said “I wish we could go inside and pray.” Another said “Why not, the door is open.” They filed inside and formed a circle. One of the leaders near the vehicles saw them and said “We need to pray right now.” One of the youth prayed that the light of God would illuminate this place and drive back the darkness that is in Tuila. Later one of the girls said that at that moment it felt very warm; she opened her eyes and the sun was shining. The sun continued to shine only on that place while the young people were in the church praying. The group of men made no effort to stop them but they, too, saw the sun shining there. The group finished praying, sang a verse of “We Are Standing on Holy Ground” then filed out of the place where the door once hung back over to the vehicles. At that moment the hole in the clouds closed and the sun ceased to shine.

That is only chapter one. Two weeks after the team prayed there at the church the believers began to once again meet in homes. It was determined that it might not be safe for Prayer Walk teams to return to Tuila. In June, two K’ekchi’ national missionaries approached a team leader and asked if part of the Evangelism team working in the nearby town of Las Casas could visit Tuila for prayer. Twelve people went. The K’ekchi’ brother explained that one of the men that went into the church that night and burned it had been in a truck accident some months previous and wasn’t healing properly. This man was one of the community leaders. He felt that God was punishing him for his part in the persecution. He wanted someone to pray that God would forgive him. The team went to his house to pray. One of the IMB missionaries that went is a former paramedic and was able to treat his infected foot and provide a bottle of Motrin. It was discovered that since he was unable to work that he had no food
for his wife and four children. The team took up an offering among themselves and provided a small amount of money to purchase some food. The man wept. He knew that it was only the love of God that would allow him to be forgiven so completely.

This was chapter two. A month later, when the man learned that another Baptist volunteer team was in the area, he asked if they would once again come to his house to pray. This time another man who had helped burn the church and had also been injured in the same accident was there. He too asked forgiveness and wanted prayer.

The final chapter has not yet been written. Neither of these men have come to know Christ. Pray for a
happy ending to the story of Tuila. Pray that the church will be rebuilt on the same place with the help of those who sought to destroy it.

to be continued . . . . . . .

The Mega-cities of the World: Today's Uttermost Parts of the Earth

Come in by the gold gates or not at all,
take of my fruit for others or forebear.

For those who steal or those who climb my wall,
shall find their heart's desire and find despair.

from C.S. Lewis' The Magician's Nephew

2008 marked the year that the world officially became an urban planet.  More of the world's population live in urban centers than live outside cities in more rural settings.  The urbanization of mankind is a significant development, if for no other reason, this global shift of humanity challenges many of our church growth assumptions.  While the world moves inside the city limits, Christians and churches are fleeing at an alarming rate.

The missions task of taking the Gospel message to the urban centers of the world is lost in the glazed look of those whose life experience does not begin to prepare them for such a task.  Setting the missions task aside for the moment, simply living in an environment that is a direct assault to individual rights strikes fear in most.  The crowded streets, the constant noise, the crime, the cost of living, the homeless and poor, added to an assortment of other realities give even the most bold a moment of pause.

If we as the body of Christ are going to proclaim to all peoples, all nations, ta ethne if you will, then believers are compelled and commanded to live incarnational lives in the city.  Foray evangelism, although falling within our comfort zone, is limited at best as a method for reaching city dwellers.  To impact the lost masses living in the mega-cities of the world, we will have to go where we do not want to go, engage people who we do not want to meet, do what we do not want to do, and stay longer than we wish to stay.  Uncomfortableness is a sacrifice many believers are not willing to make much less consider.

2009 brings an exciting ministry change for our family.  This week we will be moving to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada to begin a new assignment focused upon urban evangelism and church planting.  Our task will be to learn as pratitioners while coordinating a real-time, real-life learning laboratory for those who are following a call to reach the urban centers of the world.  Our learning curve for this assignment is steep and we will be collaborating with the best urban church planters our denomination has to offer. 

In the months to come, many of my posts will be reflections of what God is teaching me about urban missions.  You will read the good, the bad, and most likely some of the ugly.  I will attempt to relate stories and experiences that may also speak to your ministry focus as well.  We are humbled and honored that the Father would allow us such a privilege.  We covet your prayers during these days. 

He led them also by a straight way,
      To go to an inhabited city.   Psalm 107:7


Urban Church Planting: "where the streets are your classroom and city dwellers your instructors."

25 Missions Awareness and Education Ideas for Your Church

Happy New Year to all.  To begin this year's blog posts, I thought it would be fun and beneficial for some to see a list of ways to increase missions and awareness in your church during 2009.  There are several links to resources to assist you in implementing the suggestions below.

As I have worked alongside US church leaders in training events, a common request has been how do we increase missions awareness and education.  Although there is no silver bullet for this challenge, there are many ideas that over time will have an impact.  Here are 25 ideas that you can begin using today to change the face of missions in the lives of your congregation.

  1.  3 minute Missions Moments in worship services

  2.  Missions photos and or missions videos prior to and after services using data projector

  3.  Missions focused SS lessons once a quarter

  4.  Instead of SS and Worship bring missionary in to lead a 2 hour missions awareness workshop

  5.  Study mission’s focus books:
            The Great Omission  by Steve Saint
            Impact Eternity, IMB

  6.  Preach through the book of Acts with a missions focus

  7.  Host international fair highlighting different cultures, languages, foods, customs, and showing   levels of lostness in each of these parts of the world.

  8.  Show missions films or videos during of a Sunday “morning” service

  9.  Bulletin inserts – IMB source or create your own

10.  Send pastor and or staff  on annual trip to another country to follow a missionary for one week

11.  Hall of Missions hallway with information about missions

12.  Provide missions prayer guide for each family

13.  Pray for missionary’s birthdays for the upcoming week in Sunday School / Worship Service How to pray for missionaries Prayer Guide

14.  Adopt a missionary and give weekly updates to church or as SS classes

15.  Take church members on international volunteer mission trips

16.  Host international missions conference at your church

17.  During December, present the life and work of Lottie Moon and other missions efforts

18.  Set-up conference call and interview a missionary on the field during a worship service

19.  Adopt a people group

20.  Host a Missions Training Conference for your church, association or other grouping

21.  Practice strategic missions strategies at home:
            Prayerwalking
            Gospel Saturation
            Evangelism to internationals residing in your community
            Start a new church

22.  Select a Lottie Moon Challenge need.  Receive a special offering to fund this need.  Then track the progress of the impact of your gift to the work.

23.  Order and distribute free missions resources provided by the IMB

24.  Develop a missions education team that will help keep missions in the forefront of the church

25.  Recognize those involved in missions endeavors

Other resources can be found at:  Lead Your Church

BONUS IDEA:
Become an Acts 1:8 Church –
Many churches are satisfied with a “me, my four, and no more” attitude concerning missions and ministry.  To break this mindset and create a new mindset will come through leading the church to capture a global vision which is a Biblical vision.  Develop a vision and strategy that filters all work and expenditures through an Acts 1:8 filter.

The best part is that with few exceptions, these resources are FREE!!

Christmas Reflections With A Missions Focus

Luke 2:15 - 18    
15 "When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.”  16 So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger.  17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child.  18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds."  (NASB)

Christmas for many is the best time time of the year.  The atmosphere of the season brings a flood of memories.  There is a sense of awe and anticipation in the air from kids of all ages.  The lights, the decorations, and the music only add to this festive season.  For those who still believe there is no long-term emotional scaring, still proclaim to their young ones the hope that Santa will visit making wishes come true.

For followers of Jesus Christ there is this tension, a balancing act maybe, between remembering the holiness of this time of year and participation in the cultural expression of the season.  How do we worship the birth of our Savior and all of the significance of that moment in history and at the same time truly enjoy the fellowship of family, friends, and of course, the exchanging of gifts. 

Maybe we would do well to remember that at the heart of the Christmas story is still found the heart of the Father who desires that all the nations hear of this good news!  We see another image of the bride of Christ, His church.  In the Christmas story we find woven so carefully the purpose and function of the church.

WORSHIP

Matthew 2:10 -- "When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him."   NASB  

The well known quote by John Piper brings into focus the true meaning of Christmas.  "Missions exists because worship doesn't."  Christmas is a season that should bring us to our knees in awe and worship of our King.  Before we offer our gifts, we must first give Him our hearts.  By definition, worship is the expression of reverence and adoration.  This worship is a moment of pause to contemplate the fact God came to dwell among us.

MINISTRY

Luke 17 - 19 -- "17 When they had seen this, they made known the statement which had been told them about this Child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart."   NASB

Matthew 2:11b -- "Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."   NASB

Ministry is about bringing encouragement to others.  Giving to God and giving to others in an act of ministry is also an act of worship.  Mary and Joseph received tangible and emotional support during what was certainly a stressful time for them.  Through the words of the shepherds and the generosity of the Magi, the wonder of the moment was demonstrated.  Simple acts of kindness changed the lives of both the receivers and the givers.

EVANGELISM

Luke 2:10 - 11 --  10 "But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."   NASB

The Christmas story as revealed in the birth of Christ is about proclamation.  It was an exclamation point in the Father's revelation of who He is to man.  This good news was indeed a message to be proclaimed.  It did not take long for word to spread far and wide.  Prophecy has been fulfilled.  A Savior has been born.  This message is not debating whether or not to say "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays" but rather to proclaim, “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life."  John 3:16    The Message

FELLOWSHIP

Fellowship is sharing; sharing of time, presence, and possessions.  From all of the passages quoted an association of diverse individuals centered around the worship of this King.  Biblical fellowship differs from a gathering of family or friends because the focus is first on Christ and then upon others.  The fellowship found that starry night long ago cannot be described as a Christmas party but rather a celebration.  Gifts were not given to each other but only to the One whose life had begun a new community, a new understanding of fellowship.

DISCIPLESHIP

Discipleship is facing the challenges of leading disciples of Christ to a life of obedience to Christ.  Joseph was obedient to what was given to him through an angel.  The Magi was "warned by God in a dream" concerning how they were to depart this holy of visits.  Our western mindset tendency is to package discipleship, molding it into a pedagogical process of increasing knowledge hoping this knowledge will change who we are and what we do.  Being a disciple of Christ is to follow Christ in obedience.  In the life of Christ we see that discipleship can take place over time or it can take place in a moment.  What better time of year to be known as a follower of Jesus Christ.

Some may see all of this as more isegesis than exegesis and this may be true.  And maybe this understanding of the Christmas story was intended just for me.  May you too hear a fresh Word from the Father as we celebrate and remember this wonderful time of year.

GPS Manual - After You Get Home

This post marks the end of the "Go, Plant, Serve" volunteer in missions handbook text.  I hope this series has been beneficial for your thinking process as well as providing a resource that be utilized to further missions awareness, missions education, and missions participation.

After You Get Home

Wow! What a week! Whether you’re a first-time mission trip participant or a veteran of short-term missions, you will never be the same again. But after you return home, the adrenaline rush, the spiritual high and the emotional roller coaster begin to collide with your “normal life.” So what do you now? Below are some suggestions on how to keep the missions flame burning long after your trip ends.

1. If you have not already begun to do so, take time to write down stories, experiences, people you encountered and thoughts and feelings from your mission trip. If you don’t, time will soon erode what you would describe today as memories you will never forget.

2. In your quiet times, ask the Lord to continue to reveal to you lessons He wants you to learn from this experience. If He has asked you to do something specific, now is the time to obey Him. A delayed response is still disobedience.

3. Share with others what you saw, what you did and how you experienced the work of God’s hand. Telling the stories of how God worked through you and others glorifies Him and reminds you and others of the joy of serving. But realize that those who didn’t travel with you won’t share the level of excitement you feel about your trip.  They weren’t there and didn’t experience what you did.

4. Look for ways you can continue to do the same or similar mission projects in your area. Most, if not all, of the strategies employed on the international mission field today can be practiced at home, too.

5. Pray, “What next?” Ask the Lord to reveal to you what He wants you to do now. It may be signing up for the next trip or it might be something completely different. Whatever it is, seek His face and follow His leadership.

Remember, you’re a different person today than you were before this mission trip. God has used this experience to change you and, hopefully, mold you to be more like Christ. Even though thousands travel overseas each year on short-term mission trips, most Christians will never enjoy the gift you have received through your obedience to go. A new missions flame burns within you. Only you can determine if the flame continues to burn—or if it slowly burns out.