Missions tends to reflect the mindset of the missionaries, and the mindset of the missionaries tends to reflect the mindset of the churches they come from, and the mindset of these churches tend to reflect the surrounding culture. Since missionaries during the "Great Century" of Missions and into the 1900s, Christianity has had a triumphalistic …
Category: Money and Missions
The role that money has in missions… both constructive and destructive
Engineering Design as it Applies to Missions (???)
I learned a rule as a Mechanical Design Engineer. Back then I mostly worked on military projects (particularly submarine radar systems). However, occasionally I would work on commercial projects... particularly integrated bridge systems for commercial shipping. Each has very different philosophies. I worked at a company which operated with both philosophies, but it was difficult. …
Continue reading Engineering Design as it Applies to Missions (???)
A Man of God “Worth His Salt” Part II
In the first post, I noted that a missionary (or Christian servant leader) needs trial and tribulation to learn, grow, and bring out the best in himself or herself. BUT... what does that mean regarding missionary preparation and training. I don't know, but here are a few issues. 1. Some churches and mission agencies think …
Classic Quote: Roland Allen
A Quote from Roland Allen in "Missionary Methods: St. Paul's or Ours. A Study of the Church in the Four Provinces" chapter 5 (ca 1912). "St. Paul did not convert or attempt to convert people by working miracles upon them. He did not attract people to Christianity by offering them healing. He did not heal …
Missionary Money Support
I probably should look at more forums, blogs, and such more than I do. However, did come across a nice forum thread on the issues regarding missionary support and church support (and control?) of missions. It has numerous perspectives... all of which are worth thinking about. http://www.puritanboard.com/f71/missions-funding-35179/ Take a look.
Money Matters?
I don't generally think of this blogsite as a place for devotional or exegetical writing. However, missions is highly dependent on money, and missionaries are tempted towards professional success rather than God. Therefore, a bit of analysis on Psalm 49 seems quite appropriate. PSALM 49 (1) Hear this, all peoples; Give ear, all inhabitants of …
The Future of “4F” Missionaries?
What is a “4F” Missionary? This is the traditional missionary of the 19th and 20th centuries. I am going to start with 3F because it works better for a Venn Diagram... but we can add the fourth later. F Foreign (not community, local, or regional) F Fully Funded (not bivocational, or self-funded, but financed by …
Challenges of Church-Based COMDEV in the Philippines (Part 2)
<Continued> B. Challenges Associated with the Philippines 1. Cultural Factors -"Utang na loob". This term literally means "inside debt". This is an implied obligation one experiences after receiving a gift or help. Since community development is about interdependency, "utang na loob" tends to prevent this interdependency. Instead, it tends to promote dependency ("rice Christian" effect) …
Continue reading Challenges of Church-Based COMDEV in the Philippines (Part 2)
Challenges of Church-Based COMDEV in the Philippines (Part I)
This is a brief summary of issues brought up from interviews with community development specialists and church leaders in the Philippines in 2007. I have seen nothing to suggest that things have changed. Community Development, I believe, is a critical component for the church and church members in being salt and light to the world. …
Continue reading Challenges of Church-Based COMDEV in the Philippines (Part I)
Strengthening Missions Suport
I have been lax on adding new presentations. But I did, finally, add a new one, Strengthening Missions Support. It is in the Presentations page on this site. If you want some good PP Presentations in the area of evangelism in a post-modern/post-christian culture, or on growth growth, you could go to http://www.spencenetwork.org/PowerPoints.htm