I really appreciated Eddie Chee’s unconventional thoughts on Missions this past sunday. He made some really good points. Here’s 3 thoughts I’d like to add to the conversation.
1. I hope that we really do cultivate a more critical and balanced view of missions. We do need to call things as they are – if it’s a mission trip that serves others, or if it’s an observation or learning experience. I also hope though that we don’t simply act when we have a purist notion of missions and feel guilt when there seems to be something in it for you. I’m committed to loving my wife unconditionally, but I do find joy in the fact that she loves me in return. Genuine relationships are mutual and bidirectional. The apostles experienced contentment and even Jesus had ‘joy’ as he endured the cross.
2. Regarding tentmakers – I don’t think it’s as narrow subsection of people as we think it is. If you’re a follower of Jesus and you earn an income – You’re a tentmaker. In Ephesians Paul talks about how we ought to work, so that we can give. As opposed to simply working, so we can pay our bills, and do what we want. There are many degrees of direct ministry a person can be involved with, but lets not forget all of us are missionaries, and many of us are tentmakers, and that’s something to be honored.
3. About funding and supporting missionaries – Mosaic, you’ve already begun doing so prayerfully and collectively with me. I’m thankful not only for the opportunity, but that you’re paving the way for a new way of fueling the movment, and helping people join Jesus in what He’s already doing, all around us!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks Lon for continuing the conversation.
1. I certainly didn’t mean to imply that there can be no benefit to us as we do missions (short or long). I know too well the idea in some Christian circles that full time pastors and missionaries are expected to suffer for their ministry! All of the benefits that fall onto the ‘missionary’ or mission agency side of the equation are real and for the most part ‘good’. Perhaps it would be clearer if we were to weigh the question in terms of purpose. The benefits of spiritual growth and inspiration, real sharing and connecting, wonder and excitement, satisfaction in action etc should be the natural consequences of meeting our original purpose of service to the poor and needy rather than the purpose itself.
I am reminded of watching a CBC documentary where the reporter went to explore America’s ‘Bible Belt’. He went to a Christian school and interviewed the young people all of whom regurgitated the Christianese purposes of being called to live radically of Christ and impacting their generation for the glory of God. Then he followed them as they went from their Christian campus, to attend Christian concerts, Christian motivational workshops, attend Christian worship, shop at Christian businesses and vacation at a Christian theme park. Throughout all these places he interviewed the Christians who pretty much said the same things the young people said. The reporter didn’t have to comment at all; every viewer is asking the same question; when and where do any of these Christians get a chance to interact with the non–Christian world never mind having an impact on it? Everything they did was for themselves to enjoy the upper-middle class suburban lifestyle based on over consumption (of things and experiences) while calling it ‘following Christ in a radical way’. I felt ashamed to call myself a Christian. We are constantly telling the poor to eat cake and don’t even realise it. We are so engrossed in ourselves that even our aultrism reeks of it.
2. I agree that tentmakers really would include all working Christians. The point I was hoping to make but probably did fumbled was that there was and is a need for fulltime Christian work and Paul certainly argued that these people are worth their keep; he himself was supported by people like Lydia and some of the churches. In the OT God set aside one entire tribe out of 12 for fulltime service and they were supported by the remaining population.
3. When I was asked if there was another funding model I did want to elborate but knew that time was against us. Money is the root of all the problems. Some Christians argue that there is no such thing as tithing in scripture, but they certainly cannot claim that giving and giving generously and even sacrificially was not instructed and honoured. Besides there are many very good and practical practices in the church today that are not in scripture. I did some calculations when I was pastoring that if every Christian family tithed the church would have more money than it would know what to do with. We as Christians could end hunger, and bail out every failing mega corporation in the world and still have money to spare. Heck Christians in America alone have the financial strength to force ‘peace’ if it meant buying and destroying every small arms in the world! Think about it, think about what we’ll have to answer for!
thanks for the great feedback Eddie! I love your statement “We are so engrossed in ourselves that even our aultrism reeks of it.” – this one rings far too true sadly.
and yes, i totally agree, full-time dedicated missionaries/ministers are definitely validated throughout scripture, and continue to need special support today.
and totally hear you on the wealth we’ve accumulated in america as well… we certainly have a lot to account for.