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!
How was the collaborative whiteboarding session of Nehemiah 2:1-8? Hard? Awkward? Not your thing?
Just so you know drawing thoughts isn’t quite my thing either, here’s my first draft verse by verse as I experimented with it first (just so you don’t feel bad)
Here’s my 2nd try with more reflection and synthesizing of thoughts
2nd one’s not the greatest either, but visually working with things definitely helped me grapple the text more and reflect upon my own life.
I’m really trying to find all means possible to bring the scriptures as close to you as possible each gathering. I hope we can become really familiar with the story of Nehemiah this year, but even more so be shaped by it as individuals and as a community.
Things to keep in mind, especially if you weren’t there
- Nehemiah’s concern was for those on the ‘outside’ and it led him to attempt rebuilding a city
- Context – this city had been plundered multiple times, and there were already two unsuccessful attempts at rebuilding it.
- What would it be like to hope and pray and persevere for months for a single concern?
- Nehemiah’s prayer and preparation led him to be able to discern an opportunity, and not be at a loss for words when that opportunity came
- This was a massive request by Nehemiah – but don’t assume on behalf of others that they’d say no
- What does this story show you about how to engage our surrounding culture?
by Lon on August 18, 2008
Here’s the passage you can refer to
Some personal reflections
- I’m so glad the law is just a shadow – there’s so much more to life than following rules.
- I wonder what it looks like for us to be perfected? What would it look like for you and me to head towards that today?
- It describes Christ as beign faithful… ie. full of faith. What might that mean?
- A popular verse is mentioned in this chapter about not giving up meeting together and encouragement. It’s so easy to think that we dont’ need one another, or the person right next to us needs encouragement. The Scriptures remind us not to ever stop these spiritual disciplines.
