We hear the term “Calling” a lot in Evangelical churches. > God’s call to the ministry > God’s call to “full-time professional Christian service” > God’s call to “bi-vocational wholistic mission service” I think it has had a very negative effect on Christian ministry. That doesn't mean it is always bad. But sometimes it is. …
Month: December 2010
An Evangelical Critique on Evangelical Evangelism. Part 2
Read Post #1 first. 5. Evangelism tends to be too focused on “the conversion event.” James Engel developed the Engel Scale to show conversion is part of a longer discipleship process that goes from complete ignorance of God to a faithful steward of God. Anything that moves a person from the low end of the …
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An Evangelical Critique on Evangelical Evangelism. Part 1
I have to admit that I might not be the right person to criticize “evangelism” as it is practiced today. As a student and teacher of missiology and as an administrator of the Christian Counseling Center, evangelism (as it is presently defined) is something I only do rarely. (On the other hand, I have organized …
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Quote from William Tyndale (1494-1536) on the Value of Scripture in the Vernacular
"I had perceived by experience, how it was impossible to establish the lay-people in any truth except the scriptures were plainly laid before their eyes in their mother tongue that they might see the process, order, and meaning of the text... I wish that even the weakest woman should read the Gospel--- should read the …
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Another Kind of “Power Encounter”
Missionary Tom comes in and wants to start up a new ministry. Where does he go to get manned with the most competent, driven people? To other local ministries, of course! Tom has more money and so can lure the best people away from other local ministries. Maybe Tom’s group is ultimately effective, or perhaps …
Are Christian Leaders Indispensable?
Missionary Ron is a great organizer and a great planner. He has a good local network and is discipling them to be effective parts of the team. Good things are happening. The ministry is growing, and missionary Ron is fulfilled in leading such a fine group. But one day, Missionary Ron is gone. The captain …
What Should Be Christian Missions “Rule #2”?
While in the Navy, I had to learn the US Coast Guard Rules of the Road. This provides rules for navigation of vessels on the water. I thought it was a masterful booklet. Part of its greatness is its brevity. It is not hugely detailed. It provides guidelines, with flexibility. This Rules of the Road …
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Christian Missionaries Need Critics
No one likes critics... at least when the critic is leveling their critique at them. In theory, a critic can give positive or negative comments... but we tend to associate critics, and critiques, with negative comments. Christians are often very thin-skinned about criticism in matters of faith. We often feel that criticism of Christians, Christianity, …
Can Christians Celebrate “Pagan” Holidays?
Living in the Philippines, Christmas is a big event. It has at least as much noise, food, gifts, parties, songs, and fellowship as the United States. But there are two major groups here (groups that draw from a common Christian heritage) that do not celebrate Christmas. One of these is "Jehovah's Witness" while the other …
Reflections on Good and Bad Acculturation in Christian Missions
J.W. Berry (1980) described 4 modes of acculturation. Assimilation. One's cultural identity is lost in the dominant culture Integration. One seeks to integrate one's cultural identity with the dominant culture. Separation. One maintains one's unique cultural identity, rejecting the dominant culture. Marginalization. One loses important parts of one's own cultural identity while simultaneously adding, …
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