Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Hot Topics
I sat in Dr. Peed’s office yesterday catching up on life over the past few months and just chatting about different thoughts till our discussion turned to some of the issues that are affecting global ministry in general and specifically in our own denomination. Since then I’ve been wondering what are the topics that needs wrestling with by missionaries, nationals, and those "back home". So I bring the question to you. What do you think is a missions related subject the needs to be brought to the table of discussion?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
9 comments:
I think the value of short term missions should be examined. Not that there is no value, just that it better be thought through.
This may seem silly, but I think the way we support missions should be discussed--I have some good friends and acquaintances who are struggling in order to meet the minimum faith-promises in order to embark on their mission ministry (I do understand that visiting churches is also part of said ministry). Isn't there a better way than our current system? I believe there's a way where local churches can be more involved than just a stopping point for fundraising appeals. I have some thoughts on the subject...
yeah, what jeremiah mentions was the other thing i was going to say. we've really been thinking about this a lot in the past few years. here are some thoughts
1. churches shouldn't just send a bulk some to headquarters, they should pick individual families to support
2. it is better to support less missionaries more fully
3. try to set the standard at 10% of church income or higher going toward missions.
4. if the church is going to take a short term missions trip, look into the possibility of going to help one of your own missionaries
Matthew, so true. We often just accept that all short term trips are good and some times even better than long term. Taking a closer look is needed.
Jeremiah, that is one of my biggest frustrations. I am interested in hearing your thoughts. Matthew seemed to have some strong and good thoughts on the subject.
I was thinking each week looking at a different topic. But with only two given maybe one discussed this month and one next month.
Anyone else have a 'hot topic'.
Matthew, I was thinking along the same lines. I would love to see local churches 'adopt' missionaries, partnering with them to the extent that a church is working toward fully supporting one missionary (and then two...). I think it would be great to provide missionary families with a solid link back 'home,' a comfortable place to live when they're on furlough, and partnering teams from the church who travel to take part in the mission. It seems to be a great way to be more 'glocal', don't you think?
plus, glocal is just a fun word. Yeah, i also love the idea of a church more fully supporting a lesser amount of missionarieis. I definitely see value in fully supporting 1 (and so on), but i also like the way we are doing it right now. We've decided to support 1 missionary/family in each continent and we're trying to make the amount more and more significant as time goes on. So far we're up to $2500 per family, but I'd really like to see us approach $5000
Isn't it about time you updated this blog?
This is a really interesting thread. I really agree a lot with what Matthew and Jeremiah have suggested. In 2009 we supported 12 different missionaries with 12 different faith promises--one for each month of the year, with the idea that once a month our church would focus on that one country. That was too many missionaries for our church to 'get to know'. Our people couldn't keep them straight, and the missionaries themselves were not getting quality emotinal/prayer support from us. The other negative part was that when a missionary would come to the island that we were not currently supporting, but won the hearts and prayers of our people, we were unable to pledge to corporately support yet another missionary as our missions budget was already quite high and stretched to the max.
I think 1,2, or 3 missionary/families would be plenty. We could be MORE faithful to these, and we could be MORE focused in prayer for certain areas and regions of the world.
The other thing I question is going around to the different churches to gain support. We like them coming, but when they come, especially to our island they have to spend a lot of gas and ferry fees just to get here which comes out of the monies they have already fundraised. EEEK! That's expensive. Could we connect through internet and youtube blurbs that are personalized from each missionary to each church? Wouldn't that save a ton of money?
Post a Comment