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When it comes to effective outreach ministry, context is crucial. The gospel seed sprouts best in well prepared soil. As formerly Christianised nations became more secular, individualistic, and drift from traditional moralities there is an urgent need for us to adapt well to the changed tide, but rarely are we doing it well.
“If you pee in the water you’ll never reach your goals” will make perfect sense when you read the explanation of this modern-day whakataukī! In an era of great fluidity and ambiguity, we need to prioritise what will help us reach our ‘New Creation’ destination. Spoiler alert: it has everything to do with relationships.
Until very recently it seems, Western Christianity has been solely focused on ‘the dark side of the moon’-a pathological perspective of humanity. We should have no illusions about sin’s devastating effects, but neither should we lose sight of our inherent goodness. Missions needs a shift in perspective towards wellbeing.
COVID-19 has hindered missions as the world continues to experience chaos. It is easy to become disoriented and dismayed like the disciples in the storm-tossed boat beside the sleeping Jesus. A 30000ft view can help us appreciate God’s choreography in the chaos and calm our fears with faith.
In the current crisis it can be too easy to overlook health dangers in pursuit of the benefits of ‘opening up’. The economic advantages are understandable, especially for impoverished environments. However, Jesus-followers are called to a different, patient, missional pace—rest, not rush.
Friedman proved that peripheral ideas can become mainstream if acted on as solutions to a crisis. We have an opportunity to shift the conversation about the meaning (and therefore practice) of missions for a new era, from superficial expansion to common-unity commitment.
For all the emphasis on better sustainability of natural resources emerging in the rupture of the COVID-19 pandemic, Christians should be leading the way in Creation Care. But it will not do to base it on oughts and shoulds. We have a compelling reason to do so and it is deeply spiritual.
There is a false narrative going around that during COVID-19 we’re all in the same boat. We are not. We are in the same storm, but different boats. We need to stop playing the victim, hiding behind conspiracy theories, but instead acknowledge the inequities and seek to right them. Jesus would.
In matter of weeks the uncertain fluidity of our times has become an ocean storm. Now, more than ever, leaders need to know how to navigate the waves: the great wave that has just hit, the long wave that remakes everything in its path, and the shoreward wave that will lead us to a new reality.
Integrated into our missional witness is a responsibility to contribute to making this world a better place to live. Treating land as a commodity hinders this. The UN’s SDGs help set a bar we can aim for in missions as we live out our creation mandate.
When leading a community, it is not only advisable to listen to the community but listening should be considered as nourishment to the leader. As the world becomes more resistant to impositional approaches, the attitude of Christ should guide the Christian leader forward.
2020 has kicked off with some troublesome signs of the times. The Biblical narrative encourages us not to be afraid of the proverbial waves in the tempest. Rather, we should wait and expect the Master to call for calm.