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When Jesus prayed “that they all be one” (John 17) we interpret that one-ness in all manner of ways that fail to match our lived reality. But if we understanding it to mean an inseparable family bonded in/by the blood of Jesus (via faith in/allegiance to Him) our reality matches perfectly: warts and all. The challenge then remains: how to align.
We do not like to talk about it, but we cannot keep our head in the sand. The energy required for church and missions in the West to flourish is depleting, but there is good news: it is thriving elsewhere! This post reflects on these hard facts and concludes that Western Christians still have much to contribute alongside the global Church.
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.
Leaders full of confidence but without substance are all too easily accepted in a world that favours superficial image over character depth. We need leaders who humbly bring treasures from their depths as collaborative offerings for “The Great Commitment” to help build a better post-pandemic future.
The world seems to be heading into deeper divisive fragmentation. When the New Testament calls so strongly for unity, how might this be achieved? This post considers the need to seek understanding and be willing to surrender outdated views in order to move missions forward with agreed action.
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.