Terminology and Classifications I planned to get to Missions Theory. But the topic got me thinking about terminology and classifications. "Weakness Missions" is not a satisfying term. After all, there are many ways to be weak... many of them are unproductive. I considered "Subversion Missions." Unfortunately, there are numerous definitions for subversion, some of which …
Month: June 2013
The Power of Missional Weakness: Part 1
I am teaching a History of Missions class at Philippine Baptist Theological Seminary. Again, I have been struck at two streams of missions work. The first might be called "Power Missions." The other might be called "Weakness Missions." Others have written on this (at least one that I know of), but I feel that not …
A Healthy Mind, and the God Who Is
Although I do missions work, and teach missions in seminary, my primary day-to-day job is as an administrator of a pastoral care and counseling center in the Philippines. As such, I read more books on counseling and pastoral care than most in missions. A recent one I have been reading is "Theology & Pastoral Counseling: …
Why do Christian Missions Anyway.
In "Ninety-two Questions on Humility in Theology and Science" (1999), Sir John Templeton listed as question #74: "Is trying to help in God's creativity processes a way to express our worship and thankfulness?" I suppose that is a good question. One of the seeming defining characteristics of Man is the ability to be creative, and …
A Parable: The Pilgrimmage
This story was inspired by a poem by Howard McCord ("Ontology") and by the expression "You can't see the forest for the trees." Thomas lived in the desert lands as a child. There is much beauty in such barren places, but also many important things lacking. Thomas would ask his father, “When can I see …
What is Transformation
Definitions may be boring to many... but a lot of confusion and wasted activity occurs when we don't know our terms. If we think that transformation is a worthy goal... we best should have it well-defined.
In Search of… A Stable Foundation
I have read a number of blog posts and such which are "trashing" postmodernism or postmodern Christianity or postmodern-emergent theology. I have to admit that I cannot describe myself as being postmodern in any sense of the word. However, I feel that some of these posts are really misguided. 1. To say that one disagrees …
Theology and Psychology: Brief Consideration
I wrote this article/post for our Counseling Center website. I suppose it is not, strictly speaking, missional. However, in missions we need to deal with human problems (including psychoemotional and psychospiritual). It is important to know what we believe regarding psychology and theology, focus and philosophy. My personal training is primarily in Pastoral Care and …
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Are There Times it is Better NOT to Minister?
I was glancing through a little humorous book that I have had for decades. It is called "Best of Gravestone Humor" by Louis S. Schafer. People used to write the most amazing things on gravestones... some of which are quite humorous. One struck me today: "Here Lies Jane Smith, Wife of Thomas Smith, Marble Cutter …
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Oral Transmission and “Rida Rida Ranka”
I would like to use an example. I am a 3rd generation American of Swedish ancestry. When I was young, my father would say a Swedish nursery rhyme to me. He could not speak Swedish, although he knew more Swedish than myself. He learned it from his father who knew Swedish somewhat but not fluently, …