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 Medical Missions Events in the 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 Medical Mission Events in the 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 Medical Mission Events in the 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 Medical Mission Events in the Philippines, Part II
Since my dissertation for medical mission events in the Ilocos Region, Philippines has been approved, I am going to start putting a few posts together that look at some aspects of this. I particularly focused on the role of churches in medical missions who wish to have long-term impact in their community. A. What are …
Continue reading Medical Mission Events in the Philippines, Part I
Many years ago, an aunt of mine died. At her funeral, the pastor of her church got up to speak. He chose that time to provide a number of scientific "proofs" of Christianity. Back then I was a nuclear engineer so I was somewhat comfortable with the natural sciences. I knew that much of what …
The mission of St. Boniface and that of the Celtic Peregrini were considerably different. The table here shows a few broad differences: The Peregrini had a mission of translation (in terms of Lamin Sanneh) in that there was a genuine effort for the work of God to be adapted to the local culture. St. Boniface, …
Celtic Cross. Image via Wikipedia History The Peregrini (exiles) were Celtic monks who chose to follow the call of Christ by leaving their monasteries behind and traveling to different parts of Europe to share the Gospel, disciple new believers, and educate. The most famous Celtic missionaries were typically Irish, but they came from many Celtic …
Some mission organizations are highly controlling, built on a strong hierarchal system with precise policies limiting resources and activities. Some mission organizations are far more relaxed-- limited accountability, and opportunities given for missionaries to show their own initiative. Saint Boniface ("Apostle to the Germans") Image via Wikipedia My own mission board, Virginia Baptist Mission Board …
Acts 1:8 speaks of missions outreach beginning in Jerusalem and expanding to Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Of course, this statement simply could be looked at as descriptive... what has actually happened in missions. Additionally, it could be looked at as thematic... providing the structure for the book of Acts. …