When
we were living in Indonesia, I intentionally dressed like the Indonesian
businessmen. I liked the Indonesian batik style that many men wore and the
Indonesians often complemented me on my dress. I felt by having an
Indonesian’s appearance that I was accepted as an Indonesian businessman. However, as I grew in my ability to speak the
language, people would remark with much joy, “You are becoming more and more
like an Indonesian.” Then, over time, as
we adjusted the way we set up our house, and as May began to cook Indonesian
dishes the local way, people would visit and comment “Now you are one of us.” And as I kept the fast of Ramadan, and practiced
some of their traditions my friends would exclaim, “Now, you are truly
Indonesian!” Several friends began to call me, “my brother” and would introduce
me to people as “my brother.” I felt
like an insider, but was I really
part of the community?
Recently
Nasser, one of my “brothers” texted me after a visit to his home, he wrote,
Thank you for
being one of my family. It was our honor to hv u here in my house and bro
Patrick we really appreciate yr contribution towards me & our family. Only
God will pay u back for all the kindness that u hv shown towards our family.
In
receiving this text, I felt God’s peace rest upon me. I knew Nasser was seeing Jesus through my
life – a life that sacrificed my old way of living to be God’s light to those I
was now living among. Yet, paused and I thought back to the early years and the
surface changes I had made, and how I believed by making those surface changes I
was “one” with the people. I realized how much I’ve learned about becoming “one”
over the years.
Today
I am in Milwaukee Wisconsin, where I grew up.
Earlier today May and I drove around my childhood neighborhood. It was fun to reminisce over the past and to
see all the changes. Nearly everything
was different. The streets are wider,
the trees are taller, the stores where I hung out are gone, and the fields
where I played now full of houses. Last
night we met with 20+ friends. Everyone
of these friends has known me for over 30 years. We discussed at length how the neighborhood
and the world has changed since we moved to SE Asia. We talked about ways churches and mission organizations
do things nowadays too. People realized
that compared to other industries such as business, education, the arts,
entertainment, even the neighborhood; that revolutionary changes have taken
place the past 30 years. Yet mission
structures and strategies are relatively the same. Many organizations claim to be making changes,
but their changes are very much on the surface.
They applaud themselves for their changes, but like my wearing batik, we
wondered together if these are but surface changes. We discussed what steps
need to be taken toward a needed, deeper, change. I am asking myself, and may I ask you; Have
mission agencies really entered into the present times –August 12, 2015?
Jesus says to us, You know the saying, ‘Red sky at night means fair
weather tomorrow; 3 red sky in the morning
means foul weather all day.’ You know how to interpret the weather signs in the
sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the signs of the times!
(Matthew 16:2&3 Living)
What deep changes do you feel need to be made within
missions to impact this, and future generations for Jesus? I look forward to hearing your ideas.
Mission agencies, like churches, will continue to struggle to make significant change quickly. Part of the issue is the ossification and inertia that happens to any organization over time. But there are streams and breezes of change that give me hope. Most come from emerging young leaders, some outstanding churches, and a new generation that is passionate about social justice and the genuine development and growth of the Kingdom.
ReplyDeleteFrom my perspective as a career coach for Christians in ministry, there are three significant areas that need some focused attention if we want to see deep change in missions.
FUNDING MODEL: The current system of support raising and funding workers needs serious attention and overhaul. Like the US tax system, it has become less effective and increasingly complex. While it does work, it is not efficient and the challenges posed to potential workers cause some to give up and not answer the genuine call that is on their lives. This is true for traditional and non-traditional field workers alike. It is way to easy for people to give for tax purposes and not feel like they are partners in the ministry. This is both unscriptural and wrong! Both sides of the system, worker and supporters, need to sit at the table and fix this system.
EXPECTATIONS: Many of the problems field workers face are related to poor communications and unspoken expectations. Missions needs to focus more attention of defining roles of sending and supporting churches, agencies and donors. There is way too much being assumed by both the organizations and the workers. Many of the assumptions are simply not correct. This leads to confusion, dropping of important actions, fumbling, disappointment and breakdown of partnerships and ministry. A better emphasis on who does what, how and when and more honest transparency and accountability is needed.
LEADERSHIP: Passion alone won't cut it on the field. Missions needs to apply good discipleship principles in preparing and giving pastoral support and care to frontline AND supporting workers. Far too many workers on both sides of the oceans that separate us have inadequate pastoral care and accountability. Out of sight--out of mind is not an option when we send our best to do important Kingdom work. They need ongoing encouragement, listening ears that guide and NOT judge, as well as experienced help in spiritual and business/ministry matters. "A multitude of counselors..." comes to mind.
If this is work we do together for God's Kingdom, we need one another to accomplish things that will glorify our Lord!
Well said, Kelly
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