(Originally posted on 4/3/09)
Adrienne and I are one of two couples from our church who have been called to long-term missions work out of our smallish congregation. Grace Community is from a Presbyterian background, which I know very little about. I have discerned this however: Not a whole lot of missionaries have come from our congregation! There is a lack of understanding among the people at our church about overseas missions and how they are a key part of that, even if they are not going.
Recently, Adrienne and I had a meeting with one of the pastoral staff, ostensibly to plan a commissioning service for us. However, we ended up talking about how we could educate the church on more than just who we are and where we are going. You see, we are going to serve those who are on the front line, those who are waging war against illiteracy and spiritual darkness. We are there to make the job and life of those people easier and more effective, just as those here can do for the two couples from Grace. I think if that message can be explained effectively and consistently by the pastoral staff, the Prince family, and us, then the good people of Grace will gladly get behind us.
Churches, like the people in them, can become consumed in their own problems. Grace certainly has plenty of them. But I say one of the greatest effects of a missions-focused church is that the congregation begins to look beyond it's personal, local, regional, and national boundaries and looks to bless believers half a world away! If I learned anything from Andy Stanley's i-Marriage it is this: "Nothing is more trans-formative than realizing that your needs are not as important as someone else's." And it is no different for a corporate body of believers.
The challenge then is this: teaching people how serve as senders, and in doing that, show them how critical it really is for folks like the Princes and ourselves, to have folks like them backing our ministry.
Side Note: Some of you reading this think I am talking about money. That is not the case. I am talking about emotions, logistics, communications, prayer, and a myriad of other ways you can get directly involved. Money will get us there and help us get along, but it will not make us successful in our work.
"Many hands make light work"
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