Quote page 108, “I hope you now agree that the primary function is to actively move into the culture to embody and enflesh the good news into every nook and cranny of this world. The function of the church is to be God’s missionary hands to a world that is looking for something tangible to grab onto.”
When I was 14- I felt strongly that the Lord was calling me to be a missionary. I imagined far away places such as Mexico (that was far for a 14 yr old). I took Spanish in school and thought that was where I was headed. I was open for adventure- many times over I committed myself to God and wherever He would take me.
Off to Bible College- which by the second year I had to make the fateful decision of which course of study I would take. Would it be missionary work or would it be pastoral? I felt very strongly that I was to go… pastorally. I wasn’t sure why the change. It didn’t make sense to me- but I figured I must have not heard God correctly at 14 yrs old.
Fast forward some years later- and I remember a prophetic word spoken over Jason and I that we were to see ourselves as missionaries to the youth of Clark County. It struck me- we were missionaries. That yes- God did call me to go into another culture- it is amazing how different the culture of a generation removed from me is. I have never been the same.
We are missionaries- to a community of people in which many of us have lived our entire lives in- yet for most of us- it is a community we know little about. It is a community that sees church as an institution that is not be trusted and pastors as gold diggers. It is a community that sees our faith as good for us but not necessary for them. It is a community that cries out for something real and tangible but is too wary of Evangelicals to hear what we have to offer. As missionaries we are to become experts at our culture. We are to immerse ourselves in their life- so that they then can experience God in us- and that through our love for them they may see the One who loves them the most.
Are we up to that challenge? I think Hugh said it best in chapter 9- are we up to live out the Gospel that is massive, challenging and even scary?
Amy
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The challenge for me reading this chapter is 'Welcoming Sojourners'. Of course I want to welcome them, but it's the part when he talks about having them on worship team and teaching kids. I want to say "yes" I'll do this. But it would be such a change from my former way of thinking, that someone has to be at the church for so long and has been a christian for so long before they can "serve". It makes me think of people who in church commit a "big" sin and you pull them off a team for so many months or years. I know it would be a case by case scenario. Just something for me to think over.
I know I'm blogging ahead of the group. I just have to write down my thoughts as soon as I read the chapter or I think I'll forget. But I am checking back to see what others are writing.
Well I am just trying to catch up and finish what I started so even if no one reads this I think I will still type.
One thing that stuck out at me was the plans at the top of page 116, they had a mission and a plan when they set out and I was just thinking I don't really know our plan or mission and I know we are waiting somewhat till after our prayer sessions but just have the vision and dreams scetched out a little.
But I have to agree with Monica, yes I want "sojouners" to be a part right away but just as he said it may be scary and there may be problems with that, I just need to be more open to it and really I guess work with it good and bad (I just haven't really seen it first had so who knows).
I also just will comment on the bottom of page 117 "People still think the church is a more sacred space than the Barnes & Noble coffee shop." I want to be doing and living church everywhere but I have a long way to go.
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