"When you begin to think outside the box, you often become some other "leaders" lousy follower. That usually costs something" (Andy Rayner)

"Our guardian angels are bored." (Mike Foster)

It's where I feel I'm at these days. “In the second half of life, it is good just to be a part of the general dance. We do not have to stand out, make defining moves, or be better than anyone else on the dance floor. Life is more participatory than assertive, and there is no need for strong or further self-definition” (Falling Upward. Richard Rohr.120).

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Best Way to Promote Missions- Join God in what he is doing!

"Lack of interest in mission is not fundamentally caused by an absence of compassion or commitment, nor by lack of information or exhortation. And lack of interest in mission is not remedied by more shocking statistics, more gruesome stories or more emotionally manipulative commands to obedience. It is best remedied by intensifying peoples’ passion for Christ, so that the passions of his heart become the passions that propel our hearts.......Efforts to provoke interest in mission are often based on bad news- natural catastrophes, complex humanitarian disasters, unreached people groups, oppressed and exploded minorities, urban or suburban problems and civil wars. These things are important, but the gospel begins with, "I bring you good news of great Joy!"".... I must confess I once challenged and provoked people into mission using statistics similar to those mentioned above. I’m not at all suggesting that these are not real needs. The point is this: How shall we respond to these needs? Good-hearted people always want to respond with compassion and kindness. We worked ourselves into exhaustion with exhortations to give more, do more, be more, care more, serve more, love more, sacrifice more. As fruitful as this could be, something always seemed to be missing......Not surprisingly, this commitment to the missionary enterprise of the Church produces exhausted servants. The tasks are so great and our resources appear to be so small.... people can not handle relentless exposure to catastrophes and crises....we must change how we communicate missions opportunities. Instead of relying entirely on presentations of need, we must begin inviting people to participate in God's Work."


("Beyond Duty".Tim Dearborn. "Perspectives on the world Christian Movement", 1999, William Carey Library, Pasadena California . Pg 90-92)

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