The Mongolia-Hawaii Connection

“Oh, how you must suffer for Jesus”.

That’s the typical initial sarcastic response I get when I tell people that we are doing Missions conferences for the churches in Hawaii. In February. And it’s true, we’re not suffering here, too much. Warm air, sea breezes, awesome sunsets and breathtaking vistas add to the inherent pleasantness of what is already a truly beautiful place. Perhaps the most beautiful place I’ve ever visited. And the food … well, I won’t even get started with the food.

However, our time here has not been spent drinking piña coladas on the beach (believe it or not).

The conversations we’ve had with church leaders in Hawaii have been enlightening and stimulating. I have come to the conclusion that Hawaii is a strategic launching point for the Great Commission, particularly in reaching Asian lands. I was speaking with a young associate pastor of a church here about the possibilities of Hawaii becoming a center for Missions and Leadership training, as this is his vision. It is exciting to see what may take place.

I’m also thrilled to see what may happen with several partnerships that are developing and may be developing here with Mongolia. A Hawaii-Mongolia connection is happening. There is already one church on it’s way to an official strategic partnership with the field. (Shout out to Leeward!) There are others who expressed serious interest in this, as well. Mongolia needs partners. It’s a privilege to see God making a way for more partners to form from these beautiful islands as we travel from church to church.

I am praying that the Hawaiian churches will continue to mobilize for mission, and that the saints here will lay down their lives so the Nations will achieve their purpose.

“I will be exalted among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth” Psalm 46:10

And He will be exalted in Mongolia, as we work together for the beauty and glory of Jesus.

So, please pray for the churches of Hawaii. There are struggles they face which are unique to these islands. The Lord has His people here. It’s been a privilege to connect with them.

And I’ll just say that our suffering here has been minimal. Especially at meal times…

Monday Morning Missiology

This week finds me (Bernie) in the preparation process for final examinations as I finish out stage one of higher education. I’ve mentioned it here before, but, for those who don’t know, I am doing graduate work with the University of South Africa in Missions and Christian Spirituality. During this first week of February I will complete my “Honors BTh” degree and hopefully gain entrance into the Masters program later this year. (If you’re really interested in how the educational system in South Africa differs from ours, you can check it out online. I am a fan of UniSA and recommend it to any of my American friends who want to finish out a degree).

In any case, my recent reading for Missiology has been the tome written missiologist David J. Bosch entitled “Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission”. This is a book that has become more precious to me as I read. Bosch wrote prophetically about how missions has moved and will be progressing over the coming decades. While I take issue with things he says here and there, overall, I highly respect his research and insights. In particular, I am listing here 18 points he makes toward a “constructive understanding of evangelism”. As I read through these things it’s a breath of fresh air. Even though this book was written in 1991, it wears contemporary relevance like a comfortable jacket. It’s fairly weighty reading - and probably not something most would read from cover-to-cover. However, if you are involved with missions in any way, Chapter 12, “Elements of an Emerging Ecumenical Paradigm”, is necessary reading (this “chapter” being about 142 pages in length) in which he lists and explains what he sees as thirteen elements of mission for the twenty-first century. It is truly prophetic writing. Bosch was killed in a car accident a few years after this was published. In my mind, this was the loss of a world-class, modern day missionary statesman. He has another little volume called A Spirituality of the Road. I highly recommend this to anyone working in cross-cultural missions.

One of the critical elements elaborated on is “Mission as Evangelism.” He gives an helpful list of points to understanding evangelism. They are as follows:

1. I perceive mission to be wider than evangelism 

2. Evangelism should therefore not be equated to mission

3. Evangelism may be viewed as an essential dimension of the total activity of the church

4. Evangelism involves witnessing to what God has done, is doing and will do

5. Even so, evangelism does aim at a response.

6. Evangelism is always invitation.

7. The one who evangelizes is a witness, not a judge

8. Even though we ought to be modest about the character and effectiveness od our witness, evangelism remains an indispensable ministry.

9. Evangelism is only possible when the community that evangelizes - the church - is a radiant manifestation of the Christian faith and exhibits an attractive lifestyle.

10. Evangelism offers people salvation as a present gift and with it assurance of eternal bliss.

11. Evangelism is not proselytism.

12. Evangelism is not the same as church extension.

13. To distinguish between evangelism and membership recruitment is not to suggest, though, that they are disconnected.

14. In evangelism, “only people can be addressed and only people can respond” (versus Societies, etc. It’s individual. But not individualistic.)

15. Authentic evangelism is always contextual.

16. Because of this, evangelism cannot be divorced from the preaching and practice of justice.

17. Evangelism is not a mechanism to hasten the return of Christ, as some suggest.

18. Evangelism is not only verbal proclamation.

This seems to be a thorough list. I think I would add something to clarify that evangelism at its core involves proclamation of the cross of Christ. However, if you assume that this is the essence of evangelism by definition, this seems like a solid list of points to understand.

What do you think? Additions? Corrections? Deletions?

Like Wild Horses

Check out this absolutely gorgeous photography of horses in wintery Mongolia.

The Ellipse

“For you always have the poor with you…” Jesus (Matthew 26:11)

The contrasts between Mongolia and Franklin, Tennessee are flat out Brobdingnagian (Yeah, I’ve been waiting to use that five-dollar word for a long time. With the new Gulliver’s Travels movie coming out, maybe this will become a popular new adjective?) The above photo is not one that will ever be taken close to my home in Franklin. I'm currently living in a place that's prosperous and wealthy, and an epicenter for contemporary Christian culture, music, art, literature and more. Honestly, today, as I was driving down the oak and maple lined downtown streets and sliding by my favorite Starbucks store in the world, I have to admit that this is truly an ideal place to spend a one-year home assignment. I love our home church. I love the fellowship and community that we experience here. And while I do feel a bit disconnected (even now after 8 months), I must say that this is Hobbiton for me. It’s the Shire. It’s everything that represents comfort and home, this side of heaven. At least, for me. I know I am sometimes critical of America, American culture and often of what has become my hometown. However, ultimately, this is probably the one place in the world I would choose to be, if I that choice were mine to make.

In Mongolia we work with some of the very poor. In Franklin (while I was pastoring) our church was (and still is) located in one of the poorest neighborhoods in the city. This was intentional. Far too often, James 1:27 takes on a rendering of “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: … to keep oneself unstained from the world.” So we live our lives and protect our children and do what we can to keep from “worldly defilement,” at least as far as that meets our definition. The ellipsis is “to visit orphans and widows in their affliction.” Care for the poor and for the “least of these” is not an option, nor is it even an obligation. If I understand what the Bible teaches correctly, it’s something Christians do. Period. It’s unfortunate that things like social and economic justice have been so horribly politicized in the evangelical church, to the point that many people who hold to a conservative theology (it’s probably true in politics, as well) are downright afraid of this kind of work. Someone told me recently that they would not go to a church that uses language like “justice”, for fear that they’d have sold out the Gospel. That’s simple ignorance I suppose, but “justice” is Biblical language, and is at the very heart of the Gospel and needs to be practiced and demonstrated by the church. However, that’s a discussion for another article on another day.

The question I bring up is the way we work help the poor. How do we intervene? I’ve observed work with the poor in Mongolia and in Franklin and I’ve worked with the poor in both of these places. The way is not always clear. Issues can be complicated. Contexts can be tough to discern. Perhaps one of the most helpful books I’ve read on this subject is Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert’s “When Helping Hurts.” Anyone working under the auspices of the Gospel to help the poor must read this. Not all poverty is created equal. Sometimes the need is relief, sometimes it’s rehabilitation and sometimes the real work is in development. Not every situation we run into requires immediate relief. Some require long-term, well planned and strategized development.

This is article very intentionally for those who care about “the ellipse” of James 1:27 and know that Jesus wants His followers to serve the most powerless in our society. In other words, if you’re reading this and you don’t really care: stop reading blogs and go read your Bible until Jesus changes your heart, you repent and you do begin to care.

For those who do care and who are working with the poor and powerless, I think it’s important for us to understand that there are two ways we can fail, with best intentions. Many know that serving the poor is important, even required. Some may study the right ways and means for serving the poor. However, there can often be a lack of genuine love and concern for people as human beings, to the point where action is minimal, at best. This is knowledge knowledge without zeal. While that’s definitely a potential fail, I don’t think it’s the common one. Maybe in some academic circles. Maybe a stray theologian. But most people who are actually getting their hands dirty will face the other potential fail.

There’s a greater problem, particularly among Americans working with the poor, both domestic and foreign. We have such abundance and great means. So we try to give away massive amounts of money, food, clothes and more - with great zeal, but with no knowledge. Without intention we give in such a way that we even cause harm to the recipients. Zeal without knowledge is a fail we need to face.

This would not be the place to deal with this question in a comprehensive manner. The issues are complex and even a little unclear in many cases. However, I would like to propose that before beginning extensive ministry to the poor and the powerless, the following to be considered:

1. Read the Bible with intensity and let the Holy Spirit put His heart for people (particularly the poor) into your psyche. That will consist of learning what it means to love people with a whole heart, fervently.

2. Have real-time conversations with the people you serve, with the honest intension of learning from them. Arrogance is the American’s greatest relational obstacle when working cross-culturally. We must recognize when we are being wise in our own eyes and learn what it means to become a true servant.

3. Learn the difference between relief, rehabilitation and development; and learn when each of these should be applied. In most situations I have observed, relief is being administered when the real need is rehabilitation or development. The work of relief tends to be the easiest and provides quick and immediate gratification. However, the longer, harder work of rehabilitation and development is seldom even considered, let alone really practiced. We need more long-term thinking that leads to long-term solutions and less flash-in-the-pan.

I highly recommend two resources for further reading on this subject. “When Helping Hurts” by Fikkert and Corben along with another book entitled “Building a People of Power” by David Linthicum are “must read” resources for working with the poor and disenfranchised, in any context. I’d love to get your reaction to these both of these books.

What do you think about the issue? How do we best help the poor from a Biblical and a pragmatic perspective? DO you know of other helpful resources that bring greater understanding to how we help the poor? “The Ellipse” cannot be ignored. However, we should give serious thought to how we “help without hurting.”

Winter Update and Info

Home assignment has led to rather infrequent posts here ... and we do apologize for that. However, it seems to me that a lot of pictures from America are not nearly as interesting to our US residing readers.

That said, I actually have several things to post here over the next week or so which I hope will be thought provoking and helpful. I was going to include this "personal post" in one of those ... but thought better of it. This is worth its own spot. Maybe.

We are wintering well here in Franklin, TN. We've enjoyed the cooler temps and the snow. I (Bernie) had a good Fall tour up in Wisconsin. I visited many churches, made lots of new friends and learned a lot, as well. Sold lots Yak Polo shirts and had an overall good experience. I hope that we've gained some Cheese-Head followers at RememberMongolia.org! Christmas with family was great ... and snow since the new year has been fun. Jonathan is doing well at school in South Carolina. Cori is busy with her Junior year of High School ... and is trying out for a play next week. Renee' and I are preparing for our next tour (coming up in less than three weeks) in the Central Pacific District. I'm not going to lie to you. We're looking forward to it, since the "tour" involves Renee' and I visiting eight churches in Oahu. Yeah, that'd be Hawaii. Sorry ... someone has to do it.

In the meantime, we're praying daily for the work in Mongolia - and we sincerely ask that you join us in that. The field is faced with many serious challenges right now, not the least of which being another brutal Mongolian winter. Pray for our team members. They have a lot on them and need the strength which only God provides.

That actually brings me to another issue. One of the Home Assignment goals that I have us to raise up prayer partners for the work of God's Kingdom in Mongolia. If there's one thing I've learned since coming back to the US last June, it's that we ("we" being all of us who are working on the field) will not make it without prayer. I'm not just saying. I believe it. I really do. So much so, that I am working on a complete re-design and re-focus of RememberMongolia.org. You'll be hearing a lot more about this, but my end-game is to see God raise up prayer groups all over the world consisting of three or more people who will commit to pray together for the work in Mongolia for at least one hour a month. I'll be writing more about this soon. So stay tuned! RememberMongolia.org will soon be THE place for information and resources you can use to pray for God's Kingdom to come in the land of the Khan.

The countdown has also begun for our return to Mongolia. We're only five months out now. Your continued prayer and support for our family is appreciated. We're not looking forward to returning without Jonathan. However, we are looking forward returning to a new Ministry Assignment and a new apartment. Our work will be focussing on Leadership Training and development, which is really what we felt called to do in Mongolia in the beginning. This will be challenging, but joyful.

Your gifts to the Great Commission Fund, our Work Special or our Outfit Fund are all greatly appreciated!

Above all ... please pray. It's the first work.

More to come soon.