Optimistic And Opportunistic

The most compelling and powerful message on the planet is Jesus’ Gospel of the Kingdom!  


The Progress in Numbers

According to recent missions research from the World Christian Encyclopedia, here are a few Christian growth statistics through the year AD 2000.  Consider it an update on Jesus’ parable of the mustard seed.  

The world population was 6.1 billion, with 650 million evangelicals.  The percent of believers in the world from the time of Jesus Christ grew to 2.5% by the year 1900.  Then, it doubled to 5% by the year 1970; and by the year 2000 it reached 11%, although unevenly distributed.

The annual population growth rate was 1.5% and the annual conversation growth rate for evangelicals was 0.4%.  This conversion growth rate was the highest among all religions, five times the conversion rate of Islam, while all other religions posted insignificant or even negative conversion growth rates.

Today, roughly 14,000 of 24,000 people groups have been reached with the Gospel.  It is conceivable to finish the 10,000 more groups in the not too distant future.  It is doable.  It is being done.  Today 99% of the world’s population currently lives in areas specifically targeted for church planting.

Jesus Predicts with a Parable

Luke 13:18–19 ESV ““What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air made nests in its branches.””

The mustard seed was a proverbial way of referencing something extremely small.  And the unique feature of this seed is that as a garden plant it becomes a “giant” 8-12 foot tall bush.
  One might even call it a “tree,” since birds can nest in it, and it grows far beyond all seeming expectations.  The power of the tiny seed is seen eventually in the growth of the tree.  It becomes large enough for birds to nest in its strong branches.

We learn a few things about the Kingdom of God from this image.  It will grow powerfully after Jesus’ death and resurrection (John 12:23-24).  The Kingdom will include many from among the Gentiles, as the birds possibly suggest.  And it will be a place of protection, rest, and shade for its members, both now and forever.

This is a somewhat surprising image, being that the strong and stately cedar tree is more often used for the Kingdom.  Perhaps this is to further teach that it will not come all at once, but will grow over time.  This parable is given for the purpose of explaining the small beginning of Kingdom yet its great ending.  

The common expectation was for a glorious cataclysmic appearance of the Kingdom, not the more subdued inauguration that Jesus the Messiah actually brought.  The point of the parable then is that the Kingdom of God may look small and insignificant and ineffective at the time of Jesus.  But, it will eventually become universal under the Davidic Messiah, Jesus, just as predicted, and now alluded to, in Ezekiel 17:22-24.

The Tree Keeps on Growing

We should be optimistic about these words of Jesus, because they have come true, and are coming true as we live and serve the Gospel.  Jesus is motivating us with this parable that the Kingdom has come, is growing, and soon will overtake the world at His Return!

When we proclaim the Gospel the mustard tree sprouts new buds, shoots out new branches, and strengthens its trunk.  When God saves sinners it is more birds coming to rest in the branches of Kingdom blessings.  

The Kingdom of God is not small any longer.  Now it is huge, reaching to the farthest people groups of the earth!  The Kingdom of God is not weak either.  It is taking over the world!  Our role as the Church and as each church is to be optimistic and opportunistic with Jesus’ Gospel of the Kingdom. 

You Weren't Supposed To Learn That In Seminary

Every so often you will catch a pastor saying, “they didn’t teach me that in seminary.”  And church members will likewise remark, “I bet you didn’t learn that in seminary!”  Such statements, whether serious or poking fun at learning as impractical, can be foolish and dangerous.  This is because these are the complaints of anti-intellectual pragmatism.  

It is becoming increasingly popular in our society to belittle formal education and learning, especially among Christians.  It is dumb to think that we will be smarter and more successful by holding only to the lowest levels of education.  Growing in knowledge and reflection is most practical.  As one of my colleagues is known for saying, “nothing is more practical than good theory.” 

Most basically, seminaries should teach pastors how to study and teach well the Holy Scriptures, which is the basis of all Christian life and ministry, and guide them as they begin to think through matters of pastoral ministry and leadership.

But, it is ludicrous to expect to learn everything in seminary, especially the innumerable things that only can be learned by doing, and should be learned by doing.  Insight and success are gained by experience along with an understanding of how to be lifelong learners at a deeper level.

Often stated another way, “I don’t use half of what I learned,” implies that seminary wasn’t really that important for ministry preparation, either.  However, the reality is that we use everything that we have ever learned all the time, because it becomes part of who we are and forms how we think.  

Whenever I hear pastoral colleagues or even parishioners make light of seminary, I am quick to respond, “you weren’t supposed to learn that in seminary.”  This begins an enjoyable and usually profitable conversation on the value of learning, and when, where and how it best takes place.

Where Might Acts 1:8 Take You?

Much is made about being a good and effective gospel witness in the believer’s own “Jerusalem” first, before attempting to reach one’s “Judea and Samaria,” and then again before attempting to reach “the ends of the earth.”  We need to reconsider this popular interpretation and application of Acts 1:8.

Usually, Jerusalem is defined as one’s nearest geographical region and close natural relationships. The next ring includes those who share similarities, but with marked cultural or social differences, perhaps even a little farther away geographically. Additional effort is needed to build these relationships. The third ring is the true cross-cultural experience, or the “foreign mission” field. As churches, we often aim to develop ministries to each of the sectors in a similarly progressive manner, eventually completing our development with a balanced portfolio, or a comprehensive approach. 

The Traditional Application of Acts 1:8

Is the implementation of this concentric ring paradigm what Luke had in mind for his readers when he compiled the Book of Acts? Probably not. Luke presents a much more compelling vision for missions than the typical evangelical interpretation grasps. The standard use of the text is not only inaccurate, but prevents us from fully living and loving the Great Commission.  We need to change our mission paradigm and move further away from an individualistic application of this verse to a more corporate one.

Mission strategies for churches are built upon this concentric ring idea, but in reality, it is a construction we have imposed upon the Biblical text. Our intentions are good, and this model seems to work well for us. It is compellingly motivational, moving many to the mission field. It also makes the passage easy to preach and immediately applicable. These purposes are understandably appealing. 

However, the model obscures the truest application regarding the mission of the Church. There are even greater accomplishments to be attained. We search the Bible to extract the buried treasure of practical models, but we often end up pragmatically using the Bible rather than learning and following its wisdom. 

Four Regrettable Outcomes

First, the standard viewpoint tends to create and sustain a bias to stay put, when Jesus said, “go.” We end up focusing intensely upon local outreach efforts because we believe God has called us to minister where he has placed us. We become thoroughly absorbed (almost exclusively) in the needs around us. Then, often the “remotest part of the earth” gets the leftovers of our energies and resources, rather than the best. We re-define the Church’s mission in purely local terms for ourselves and our esteem. 

A second regrettable outcome of the old paradigm is that we feel so overwhelmed by the first two mission categories that we pay little attention to the third. The gospel ministry is hard work. We work wholeheartedly and prayerfully to figure out how we might reach others with the truth and love of Christ. In our struggle with local outreach efforts, we may no longer feel competent enough to engage people cross-culturally and actually accomplish ministry. We never get to the ends of the earth because our faithful witness at home seems to be ever faltering. Simply put, we feel we can’t make a difference over there.

A third outcome of the typical interpretation of Acts 1:8 is that we can quickly and easily lose perspective and vision. We no longer see what we are supposed to be seeing. This is because we are actually missing the very point of the text, and even the book itself:  to give first-priority to frontier mission--to plant churches among the unreached peoples of the world. 

The final regrettable outcome of the common understanding of Acts 1:8, is that we miss the corporate calling. As North American evangelicals, we tend to speak too much about the individual and the personal, and not enough about the Church as a whole, and even the local church as a community. 

Shifting to a Truly Biblical Model

First, rather than perpetuating a bias to stay put, what if our churches worked to create and sustain a bias to “go?” Most will end up staying to live for Christ at home, and will further the mission by sending out and supporting their brothers and sisters who go. But assuming that we should go, rather than assuming that we should stay would change almost everything in the life of our churches. We would find that this is really a huge shift and that it would lead to many being called and sent out from our churches. 

Isn’t this what we are already hoping and praying for, anyway? We would find ourselves thinking, talking, organizing, and strategizing quite differently. People would talk about positioning themselves to be able to go, thinking along the lines of how it might be possible and not why it never could be. We would find new energy and renewed perspective for local ministry. The sacrifices demanded would also greatly increase, but God’s supply of our needs from his inexhaustible resources of grace would remain.  

Second, rather than being overwhelmed by the first two circles of mission, what if the last part of Acts 1:8b actually energized our mission endeavors? That is what has happened in our congregation. (For the story see the complete article “To the Ends of the Earth,” Evangelical Missions Quarterly 42:4 (October 2006), 434-439.) Focusing on the unreached peoples of the world has provided the courageous faith and motivation needed for local and nearby missions. 

Third, rather than losing perspective and vision, what if our churches rediscovered Luke's original emphasis? The emphasis of the verse is not on the “Jerusalem,” but upon the “remotest part of the earth.”  

The Book of Acts was written by Luke as the second part of his Gospel account to show the advance of the gospel of Christ’s Kingdom by the Holy Spirit through the Apostles and the Church. Jerusalem is impacted first, by the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and the subsequent preaching and witness in the city by the Apostle Peter and the church. Then, the “Samaritan mission” in Acts 8 was the gospel’s first great advance after Pentecost. The Gentile mission begins here. Luke then shows us further movement through the conversions of the Ethiopian proselyte, and Cornelius the God-fearing Gentile. The full-on ministry to Gentiles begins in chapter 11 with the ministry of the Antioch church, and the Pauline mission flowing out of this and continuing the progression. We, as the Church, are to follow the arrow and continue the mission until the Return of our Lord Jesus Christ!

Acts 1:8b is not about everyone’s three different realms of witness (Jerusalem, Judea/Samaria, and remote), but about these actual historical transitions, which are now over. The Apostles and the early Church completed the first two and started on the third. What remains is the really exciting part--the relentless drive to the mission’s end! Acts 1:8b is meant to rivet our attention on the “remotest part of the earth” section. Our mission ever since the beginnings of New Testament Christianity, is to go to the ends of the earth and hasten the coming of that day of worship by those Jesus purchased with his blood, “from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Revelation 5:9) 

Fourth, rather than following our inclination to apply the biblical text to ourselves individually, what if we considered its meaning for the global Church first? Replace the question “What does this mean for me?” with the question "What does this mean for us?" Turn the focus from the individual to the Church globally and locally. What if we saw our churches as local teams, not as a collection of individuals trying to accomplish the Great Commission? Understand Acts 1:8b as being not so much about a personal mission, as it is about the group’s mission. 

Individually, we cannot complete the Great Commission, nor do many of us do very well in that which we do accomplish by ourselves. This group approach actually inspires and accomplishes much more in the personal realm in our churches as we all work together to increase our own spiritual health and maturity and usefulness in the mission of planting churches that reproduce. We expand our vision and look at the bigger picture outside of ourselves. We can focus on a specific area in the world and are start to ask longer range questions about how we can even better utilize all of our people and ministry resources.

We live in perhaps the most thrilling time in the history of redemption, when the gospel is actually reaching the very ends of the earth, and God is calling out for himself a people to worship him forever. Convinced that we live to serve the Lord God and his Gospel, may we be willing to take great risks for his glory among all peoples, and let us yearn to see their full enjoyment of him. Let us follow the arrow and go to the very ends of the earth!

Prayer Is Our Real Work

We are all prone to timidity.  Timeless then, is our Apostle’s urgent appeal in Ephesians 6:18-20 to pray in the Spirit with persevering alertness for the Church’s boldness in its Gospel proclamation.  At the conclusion to the Apostle’s discussion of fighting valiantly in the spiritual war, we come to the absolutely crucial matter of prayer.

Praying in the Warfare

Ephesians 6:18 ESV “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”

Prayer is not a piece of the armor, but it is clear that this praying belongs with the discussion above because of the participial form of “praying.”  In other words, after the soldier is outfitted for war, he is to pray a lot because the battle again is won by the Lord, not one’s skill in the battle or his spiritual merits.  

Dependent prayer accesses the power crucial for success in the spiritual war, being aware of both our spiritual goals in situations, and our very real weaknesses.  We can have real confidence going to prayer, and while praying, and then we will find real power resulting from prayer.

We are to pray at all times, at every opportunity, for the struggle never stops, for us or for others.  To pray in the Spirit means under His influence and with His guidance and assistance.  It is not a special way to pray (e.g. speaking in tongues), but a way of stating exactly what prayer is--intense spiritual activity.

In performing this constant prayer, we are to be alert in intercession for others in the war, as well.  In fact we show our love for all the saints by our prayer for them.  Alertness means perseverance and vigilance in petitioning for others according to their need.  It means keeping spiritually sharp and focused in our prayers.  

Prayer is powerfully effective in the spiritual war and does make significant gains.  The Holy Spirit guides our prayers to pray according to the will of God.  God then answers our spiritual prayers empowering His Church.  We really are accomplishing remarkable work in the Mission by praying for our church partners.

Praying for the Boldness

Ephesians 6:19–20 ESV “and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.”

The Apostle Paul is in prison in Rome and will soon have an opportunity to speak of the revealed mystery of the Gospel before Caesar or his deputy.  How important and daunting!  His chains in this passage speak more of his obligation with God for the Gospel as His ambassador.  He does not pity his difficult situation, but rather he revels in his own mission and this opportunity!

Even the Apostle Paul requests prayers on his behalf for boldness in testifying to the Gospel.  However, this is not asking out of weakness.  He does not distrust or doubt, instead he is eager to fulfill his ministry faithful to the very end.  He desires strengthening so he will know what to say and how to say it without fear.  He wants to be able to speak freely, and have powerful expression, and be clear.  He knows that the prayers of the church will be effective for this outcome and so asks for them.

So, if the great Apostle asked, then we should not be ashamed of asking for boldness, for all of us are still in the body of weakness.  Often, we all need and want prayer for the same things; and so we ask and pray such for one another.  It is true that our Gospel partners need our many prayers for their boldness; and we ourselves need theirs for us.

2 Corinthians 1:11 ESV “You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”

Colossians 4:2–4 ESV “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.”

We Need a Renewed Understanding of the Work of Prayer

Romans 12:2 ESV “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Pastor Ben Patterson, in his book Deepening Your Conversation With God asks, “Why don’t we believe we’re getting anything done when we pray?”  He answers, “Two reasons:  the world’s view [secularism] and the world’s pace [busyness].”  The logic of secularism is busyness.  When we get busy, prayer is the first thing to go, when prayer is what will rescue us.  But, prayer is our real work--giving up on human efforts and trusting God to work.

Pastor Adoniram Judson Gordon (1836-1895) of Clarendon Street Baptist Church in Boston, a model for many of a “dynamic mission station,” put it clearly, “You can do more than pray after you have prayed; but you can never do more than pray until you have prayed.”

Four Valuable Concepts When Preparing A Team

People need far less training than they think they do for short-term mission trips.  In fact, there is a danger in providing too much training, or over-training.  There is much greater value in under-training, if you will.

Clearly, people need an overview of the trip and training on what they are going to be doing.  They need to hear the bigger picture and how they fit in and will help move the vision forward.  Understanding their strategic role is critical, as well.  And surely they need some basics on ministering cross-culturally.

But, what is most needed is a team saturated in the Gospel and prayer before they get on the plane.  I typically have each team member pick a Gospel account and read and re-read it and pray through it extensively for three months.

Then, when we get to the cross-cultural training portion of our twice monthly team meetings, I spend time discussing four words:  humility, learner, servant and unity.  With these four concepts and carefully selected bits of training and non-training the team is actually better prepared to be used by God.

Humility

Too much training can build too much confidence.  And then comes the urge to walk in tall and charge ahead.  Though it would be done politely most of the time (from our cultural perspective), we still don’t need an outside team moving ahead unaware of their misplaced confidence.

It is preferable to have team members in a posture of dependence upon the Lord and one another.  Getting the ministry done well during the short time there requires trusting our national partners and following their lead, thankful to be a part of God’s plan under their direction and plans.

Learner

Too much preparation leads to people who are too prepared.  Then they will want to teach something to someone.  The experts are our partners not our preparation manuals on culture and ministry.  Such preparations should be kept general and in the background; rather we should build anticipation to learn from actual real people.

It is preferable to have team members show up as joyful observers of culture and ministry, prepared to change the way they think and do ministry.  By providing minimal training at home there is no option but to learn by experience alongside a believer from another culture.  

Servant

Too much training prepares people to be in charge and direct events to unfold as they envision them.  They come ready to give out, but not to think though what would best serve their brothers and sisters.  It tends to focus their efforts on making a successful trip happen by their own cultural standards.

It is preferable to have team members who feel less able and less in control.  This way they are more observant of true needs and willing to take direction from others, especially from our national partners.  Also, realizing they have less to give puts them in a position of wanting to do whatever would be most helpful from our hosts’ perspective.

Unity

Too much training makes for independent-minded people with their own goals.  They will more likely attempt to forge their way and make their own trip happen.  The relational stress level in taking a team cross-culturally is high enough and over-training just adds all the more opportunities for disunity.

It is preferable to keep people working in the project together with an inter-dependent spirit.  Maintaining unity is the greatest team challenge.  With barely enough training the team is more likely to realize how much they need one another to accomplish goals and glorify God in all they say and do. 

A Team Prepared to Head Out

Understanding these concepts, along with personal time with the Gospel of Christ, and then purposefully not training the team any more than is truly necessary, prepares them well to live out these concepts for their brief time in the field. 

Training on these four concepts has been the most helpful preparatory lesson for the teams I have led.  It ends up being most helpful to the mission’s advance, and to themselves as growing Christians.  The team as a team becomes more effective at sharing the Gospel; and then upon returning, they are even more eager to discover what God might have next for them in His Mission in the world.