I ran across this article today. Quite interesting ready. I think our friend in Portugual makes some deep observations. If you have a few minutes, read his articles.
So you wannabee a missionary?
Portuguese blogger (online author) Nuno Barreto wrote a series of articles on missions. He says: "I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly of foreign missionaries to Portugal, and it's time to speak out. This is for everyone that wants to know how it feels to have missionaries sent to him." Joel News summarized his unconventional advice for wannabee missionaries:
1. Skip Bible school; instead learn how to plant churches in real-life.
2. Engage with the culture, but dare to be authentically foreign; don't imitate the locals.
3. Count the cost and learn the language.
4. Get a job that helps you meet lots of people, and join a club.
5. Forget about targets and 5-year plans; get a (family) life.
6. Resist the temptation of forming a holy bubble with other missionaries.
7. Beware of support with strings attached; stay financially free to be able to move with God.
8. When you plant a church, don't stay on as a pastor; your best gift to the church is to move on.
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2 comments:
Great advice! Welcome to the missionary blogging world. Look forward to reading more.
Blessings,
mr. t in South Asia
I've been meaning to comment on this, but have taken forever to get to it. Oh well...
In general, I think Nuno's comments are on the mark and quite interesting for me, coming from a Southern European context.
I do think there is probably a need, at least from our IMB context, to differentiate between the roles of "front-line church planters" and "CPM catalysts." I would say his suggestions apply mostly for "front-liners." Of course, even "CPM catalysts" need to model what they are hoping others will learn and put into practice. But, for example, it is perhaps more important for a "CPM catalyst" to have a little more formal theological training than a "front-line church planter."
I especially think point #4 is interesting. At least in Western Europe, I would agree with Nuno that effective evangelism hinges upon effective relationship buiding. And, effective relationship building takes place most naturally, especially in the case of men, on the workplace.
I believe this is perhaps part of the success of World A ministries in recent years. The "m's" have been forced to find "platforms" that provide roles for themselves among their people group, other than "religious professional."
The big question is how to apply this within our IMB structure, and in countries in which traditionally we have not sought out secular employment.
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