In Evangelical circles there has been a strong emphasis on the "Great Commission." Of course, as I have noted numerous times, there are several presentations of the Great Commission. The two most popular (again, in Evangelical Circles) are in Matthew 28 and in Acts 1. Acts 1 is popular because it points to the outward …
Category: Social/Medical Ministry
Theology of Holistic Missions
<I was recently asked to create a Bachelor's level course on Holistic Missions. I think it will be called, "Foundations of Holistic Missions." Anyway, in my latest book, "Walking With: A Theological Reflection on Christian Missions," I had written a chapter on holistic missions--- or at least theological perspective that supports holistic missions. However, in …
Why I Don’t “Do” Evangelistic Events Anymore
The title says it. I don't involve myself in evangelistic events anymore. Years ago I did... and I will go into that. I have a number of reasons to, perhaps not oppose them but, choose not to support them. I will give two. #1. Historical. I come from Western New York. This area had the …
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As the Father Hath Sent Me…
My favorite "Great Commission" is the one recorded in John "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." (John 20:21). But it is not the most popular one. Some people prefer the one in Acts 1:8. That sending forth nature of the Gospel Call is inspirational. I recently read one writer who noted …
Christian Medical Missions— Can it be Done in a God-honoring Manner?
Twelve years ago, I finished my dissertation at Asia Baptist Graduate Theological Seminary. It was on medical missions in the Northern Philippines. Although I would have written some of it different now than I did back then; still, the findings were solid. I hope that the findings are helpful to people, but all too often …
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The Potato Blight and Pastoral Theology
My wife is a certified pastoral counselor, so I sometimes get pulled in on CPE (Clinical Pastoral Training/Education) groups to lead a small training session. This weekend, I led one in Pastoral Theology. I utilize the definition for Pastoral Theology used by Margaret Whipp, in her book "SCM Guidebook: Pastoral Theology," PASTORAL THEOLOGY IS THE …
Is Social Ministry Just a Distraction from “REAL” Missions?
This question is one of my favorite questions, and I have talked about it a few times. However, here are two other articles that are very informative on the topic... so I don't have to write more. Just Distraction: What does the Bible say about social justice? By Katherine Ladd (2019) When John Stott Confronted …
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Three tests of Quackery: Too Much, Too Well, Too Costly
All three of my children were afflicted with atopic dermatitis. Two of them have got beyond most of the symptoms. One of them still has problems with it. Over the years we got an awful lot of advice on how to treat it. A few were thoroughly unhelpful... but most had at least a bit …
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It Takes a Network to Make Missions Work
Back in May 2005, we had an opportunity to do a ministry project with the market kids of Baguio City, Philippines, The market kids (also known as “batang palengke” or “plastic boys”) are children who work in the public open market in the center of Baguio City. They sell plastic bags for the shoppers, offer …
The Cheshire Church
The following is a quote from the book by James F. Engle and William A. Dyrness, "Changing the Mind of Missions: Where Have We Gone Wrong?" (InterVarsity Press, 2000). Who can fault legendary evangelist Dwight L. Moody, who captured the mood of evangelicals at the end of the nineteenth century in his declaration, "I look …