Consider two different imaginary retail companies for a moment. The first company is Baguio Lighting Solutions (BLS). The other is Dagupan Lighting and Glass (DLG). Both companies want to sell lights of one form or another. But they have different methods to do so. BLS is in a big building without windows. Sales people walk …
Continue reading Demonstration Versus Proclamation in Christian Outreach
Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus. While there is disagreement as to when this epistle was written we know it was quite early. Some place it back to around 130AD. Some place it closer to 200AD. I, personally, think that the parts of the epistle noting the newness of Christianity does suggest that it is an …
Continue reading Letter to Diognetus: Critical Contextualization in the Early Church
<Note from 2026. This was a sermon I wrote in the early 2010s, before "building walls" became hyperpolitical. However, that probably makes it even more true. We live in a time to tear down walls.> Ecclesiastes 3:3 states that there is “a time to tear down, and a time to build up.” At first glance …
Suppose you are a young teenage man. There is a pop star who you think is just wonderful. She looks beautiful on TV. She has a great voice. Her songs really speak to you, and you just know that such soulful singing expresses a beauty that lies within. But, sadly, you live in Nowhere, Kansas. …
Continue reading Religiocentrism and Religious Exoticism. Opposite Concepts from Common Roots
I have been a bit down on "Power Encounter" as a missiological method... especially on this website. Power Encounter has been popularized by Charles Kraft whose understanding has been affected by his work in West Africa. He found the animistic beliefs there made the people receptive to Christianity marketed in terms of power. And perhaps …
This is the last section on Medical Mission Events. This is based on my dissertation. The focus of the dissertation was the use of medical mission events in the Philippines for long-term impact in a community by a local church. As such, the traditional medical mission is inadequate. Traditional medical missions typically have little long-term …
Continue reading Research on Medical Mission Events (Philippines), Part V
Partnership is necessary, albeit unpleasant at times. Some churches often do not desire to work with local government because of mistrust. NGOs often feel the same way about churches. These feelings are, sadly, often justified. Creation of solid partnerships is done due to necessity, not because it is easy or enjoyable. Theoretical Proposition Two. In …
Continue reading Research on Medical Mission Events (Philippines), Part IV
This is some material from my dissertation, STRATEGIC USE OF MEDICAL MISSION EVENTS IN LONG-TERM LOCAL CHURCH OUTREACH: A CONSULTANT-STYLE FRAMEWORK FOR MEDICAL MISSION PRACTITIONERS IN THE ILOCOS REGION, PHILIPPINES. I will give a bit of a top-level look in this post, and some propositional work in Part IV. The characteristics of "REAL" Medical Missions: Right …
Continue reading Research on Medical Mission Events (Philippines), Part III
Why NOT to Do Medical Missions To fully go into all the reasons not to do medical missions would take too long. So here is a short version. NOTE: I think there are reasons why medical missions should be done, and can be done successfully... but one must honestly face problems. 1. Strategic Problems. Medical …
Continue reading Research on Medical Mission Events (Philippines), Part II
A. What are Medical Mission Events? A medical mission event is a one-time (or at least short-term) activity where medical people come into a community to provide various types of health care. These include medical screening, hygiene training, general medical treatment, dental screening, tooth extraction, eye care, minor surgery, circumcision, etc. It may include other …
Continue reading Research on Medical Mission Events (Philippines), Part I