What they expect?

Posted At : February 24, 2006 1:35 PM
Related Categories: Missional Hands

Check out the comments on the "What do your hands look like?" entry. They hit on an interesting issue. What do the people we are going to work with in a given country expect of us? What assumptions do they have about us? Are we ready to deal with those?

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What do your hands look like?

Posted At : February 20, 2006 10:37 PM
Related Categories: Missional Hands

What do your hands look like? Who cares . . . I guess that depends on what you are going to do with them. The bigger question is, "What do pure hands look like?" If you are going to be a missionary, what those hands look like becomes pretty important.

But sometimes we think that it only matters what the hands can do.

Phil O'day, Director of Mobilization for CAM International (www.caminternational.org) makes this point well. "When we think of missions in the 21st century compared to prior centuries, what often comes to mind is a greater emphasis on and more effective use of technology, new tools, and enhanced skills. And while that is a huge and imporatnt part of where we are today in missions, the most important characteristic for a new missionary today probably remains what it has been along: an intentional process of personal spiritual formation.

Robert Mulholland, Seminary professor and IVP author, defines spiritual formation as "the process of being conformed to the image of Christ by the gracious working of God's spirit, for the transformation of the world." I think this is a good definition that emphasize both personal transformation and Great Commission responsibility. Among the important and desired characteristics of a 21st century missionary we could list things such as adequate pre-field training, cross-cultural sensitivity, and relevant ministry experience. But all of these very important characteritics are just building blocks that are built on the solid foundation of humility, character, and spiritual maturity that is born out of a life-long process and commitment to being spiritually well formed. That is ultimately what will lead to effectivness on the field, and is what nationals on the field will be looking for when we step into their culture."

Phil makes an interesting point with that last comment. Your hands will be the first thing that many of the people in your new cultural context will see. They will see your character and your Christ-likeness even more clearly because you are out of your element.

Sometimes it is easy to hide our "self-focused" lives when we are in an environment that we control. But when you are in a new culture you are out of control and who you really are will shine through - make sure that people can stomach what they see!

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Another Thought on Collaboration

Posted At : February 16, 2006 5:57 PM
Related Categories: Missional Hands

As I have been thinking about collaboration, one of the most challenging things is when we are asked to collaborate with people who are different than ourselves. In today's missions environment, you might be asked to work closely with ministry staff from different countries, with different theological backgrounds or maybe with very different views on teamwork.

Are you prepared to work with people that are so different. In our American culture today, we praise diversity, but the vast suburbia doesn't provide much opportunity to practice it.

Unless you are getting out there and getting to know people who are different, you will struggle to collaborate and connect with the co-workers that God will bring into your lives.

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Hands that Collaborate

Posted At : February 13, 2006 2:38 PM
Related Categories: Missional Hands

The new missionary isn’t floating away in a boat to be disconnected from the world for 30 years. Missionaries today are global citizens with networks of people around the world. That takes a particular type of person – someone who thrives on interacting with others and building relationships.

Jim Rathbun, Director of New Member Development for TEAM (www.teamworld.org), says that this is one of the key characteristics they look for. “A significant characteristic distinctive to prospective missionaries in the 21st Century is to place a high value on collaboration with workers from other organizations, cultures, ethnicities, and languages in light of globalization as the gospel goes “from everywhere to everywhere.’”

Now, not all collaboration means being an extrovert. There are many introverts who also value partnership and relationships. But no matter what your personality, missionaries must see their network of relationships as one of the keys to ministry in a global context.

So now it comes down to it – what are you doing today to build your network and expand your relationship skills? Are you ready to interact with people from every continent as you play your part in the Great Commission?

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Disclaimer: These blogs are the words of the writers and do not represent InterVarsity or Urbana. The same is true of any comments which may be posted about any blog entries. Submitted comments may or may not be posted within the blog, at the bloggers' discretion.

What they expect?

What do your hands look like?

Another Thought on Collaboration

Hands that Collaborate

Urbana Stories