Let's Allow Everyone To Learn By Doing

There is often too cautious a reception to hearing the amazing stories being told of God’s glorious workings in the world.  After suspicious listening come the probing questions to determine whether or not huge mistakes are being made.  

Christians excited about the Gospel can be made to feel like they are undergoing a medical examination, tax audit, or answering the supreme inquisitor:  “Have you done this?”  “You haven’t done that I hope?”  “You know, you really need to be careful about something.”  

This is a real problem.  Everyone makes mistakes and everyone has successes.  Why does it seem that only some are allowed to make mistakes and others are not trusted to do so?  As a whole, mistakes are too harshly criticized and learning by doing is too undervalued.  And the reality is that some have forgotten that this is how they got where they are today.

Stories the New Testament Tells

The success stories of the Twelve and the Seventy-Two from their village to village short-term preaching ministries were received by our Lord Jesus with joy and intense delight (Luke 9-10).  The church at Antioch listened intently to the stories of the Apostles Paul and Barnabas as they recounted that first real “to the ends of the earth” missionary trip (Acts 13-14).  And the Gospel success stories only continue to mount throughout the New Testament.  In fact, that is the very content of the New Testament and its reason for existence--the Gospel’s progress throughout the world.

Did the Apostles ever make mistakes?  Of course they did.  But, mistakes are not recorded because mistakes are just not that important.  Besides, the Gospel is powerful unto salvation by itself (Romans 1:16), and it is impossible to really mess it up if one just declares the Gospel.  Yet, one sure way to mess things up (speaking from a human perspective) is not to clearly proclaim Jesus at all.  Even the Apostles become better over time because they practiced in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Tell Stories to Those Who Will Listen

American Christians generally think there is more power in human persuasion and cultural insight than God has placed in His Gospel inherently.  As a result, mistakes are very serious matters.  This theological and perspectival blunder is also why so few believe the stories of success when they hear them.  It seems too good to be true; something must not be right.

However, when understanding things rightly, there is great freedom in Gospel proclamation and great encouragement to keep on learning how to do things better.  There is trust in God for God’s work.  The joy is for those who believe the stories because they believe the Gospel is more powerful than human hearts and ingenuity. 

Keep Proclaiming, Making Mistakes, and Learning by Doing

It is much more preferable to encourage the preaching of Jesus and trust Jesus to take care of His own Gospel, its success, and even the proclaimers and the hearers of it.  He is much better at this than we are at being its guardians.

What if we unleashed people to proclaim the Gospel with only a little training?  And then, what if we listened to their stories without telling them what they did wrong?  And then, what if we encouraged them to keep preaching Jesus?  

What if we shared in the joy and delight of the success of God’s Gospel along with them?  What if we let them get better on their own, perhaps just facilitating their learning together?

Every Church A Mission Team

At a mission conference a few years ago, I attended a small session led by a highly creative and strategic-minded woman.  She was leading a seminar on mission strategies to reach the unreached cities and peoples of Asia.  She proposed a simple but powerful idea:  what if churches became strategy coordinators for this?

I was greatly stirred by this proposal.  Up until this point it had never occurred to me that a local church could play such a vital role in world missions.  I could see how this might work, and work so much better than the typical models of church involvement, where the church contributes very little at the strategic level.

After the session, I spent a significant amount of time with her discussing the details of what such an approach might look like in a local church and how to get it done.  I attended a couple more of her consultations.  And then as a church we set out to strategically engage an unreached people.  How freeing and revitalizing for ministry and mission it has been to be both a sodality and a modality!

The Split

Many Christians are not familiar with the terms “sodality” and “modality,” or understand their meaning, but ever since they were introduced in 1974 by Ralph Winter, the relationship of local churches to the world mission have changed.  Churches have come to accept the position of being a modality, focusing primarily on their local ministry, while giving up their leadership role and responsibility in world mission to the sodalities, that is to agencies, to operate independently, while only utilizing the churches. (n1)

We should be suspicious of this two-tiered structural analysis of the Church in its splitting the Church and local congregations from their primary responsibility in missions and evangelism.  Instead of empowering the Church, this new paradigm has inappropriately shifted power to the para-churches by legitimizing them as another form of church. (n2)

The Splice

What if we could mobilize complete congregations in world evangelization and strategic church planting, especially among the unengaged unreached?  Might the results end up being healthier and more effective churches, both here and abroad?

What if agencies even made it their goal to serve local churches in helping them take the lead in world mission and get the job done?  Might it be more helpful to re-think the meaning of para-church, or even use a new term like dia-church, that is “through the church?”
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¹ Eckhard J. Schnabel, Early Christian Mission, rev. ed. (Downers Grove:  IVP, 2004), vol. 2, 1578-1579.  See also David J. Hesselgrave, Planting Churches Cross-Culturally, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids:  Baker, 2000).

² Bruce K. Camp, “A Theological Examination of the Two-Structure Theory,” Missiology 23:2 (1995), 197-209.

What Spurious Christ-Followers Need To Hear

Jesus knew the three would-be disciples in Luke 9 and their situations well.  He gave insightful and appropriate responses they needed to hear if they were ever to become genuine followers of His and be helpful in His Mission.  We see these same three today.

The Hasty Would-Be Disciple

“As they were going along the road, someone said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go.’  And Jesus said to him, ‘Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.’” (vv.57-58)

This follower is too eager to follow and so Jesus makes some of the costs plain.  One’s lifestyle would be severely altered in following Jesus; it would become one of self-denial.  Jesus is not necessarily rebuking, nor inviting, this man; He is simply stating the nature of the case.  His mission would involve an unsettled and often uncomfortable lifestyle.

Whenever it is popular to follow Jesus many say they want to join though they fail to count the cost.  It is important that the Church put forth the hardships of discipleship, as Jesus did.  We must be careful not to hastily accept hasty assertions of faith in Christ.  In our evangelism we want to call people into true discipleship according to Christ Jesus Himself.

The Hesitant Would-Be Disciple

“To another he said, ‘Follow me.’  But he said, ‘Lord, let me first go and bury my father.’  And Jesus said to him, ‘Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.’” (vv.59-60)

Jesus calls this man with His famous words, “follow me,” but this man seeks to postpone his enrollment.  His excuse for delay seems reasonable--family duty.  But, it also could be that he is one of those people who is very good at using very good excuses.  He is too slow for Jesus and is told to follow now if he is going to follow at all.

To follow Jesus “someday” is not acceptable.  Jesus’ disciples must place the interests of the Kingdom of God above all other interests, prioritizing their priorities correctly, with Jesus as first priority.  Jesus refuses to accept hesitancy in disciples, but calls them out of hesitation into true discipleship.  Likewise, we as the Church need to challenge people to the rigors of genuine faith in Christ.

The Half-Certain Would-Be Disciple

“Yet another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.’  Jesus said to him, ‘No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.’” (vv.61-62)

This potential follower also says he will follow, but he must say “good-bye” to his family first.  Perhaps we are to look a little deeper and see that this is an excuse to double-check with others before following.  He is too tied to others’ opinions, or to his past and still present life, in order to move full speed ahead.  He still is only half-certain that following Jesus as a disciple is the thing to do.

Jesus is very strict with this man in telling him that he must keep moving forward.  This kind of discipleship--always looking back--is no true discipleship at all.  To follow Jesus only after checking it out over and over again with others is not allowed.  Such would-be followers must be challenged to give to Christ Jesus an undivided loyalty, a decisive single-minded discipleship.

Helping Them and Helping Ourselves

There will always be those who are too quick in promising, too slow in performing, or too unsure about it all.  We help them best by being honest about what Jesus requires from His followers, as well as encouraging them that such a life is truly worth it.  We help ourselves by presenting this kindly and directly, and being hopeful that we will recruit those helpful in moving forward in His Mission.

This passage calls us to self-examination just as much as the examination of other followers.  We are encouraged to stay the course, even re-align our own discipleship, or perhaps become a real disciple of Jesus.  As His genuine disciples, we also know that He will assist us by His grace, and make it all worth it as we go along proclaiming the Gospel of the Kingdom until the very end. 

Don't Always Join The Best Church In Town

There are many important factors in selecting a new church when new in town, such as the church’s doctrinal commitments and its ministry offerings, among many other things.  When church shopping the typical approach is to look for the best deal:  the church with the best preaching, best facility, size and location, best staff and programming for all ages, best music and the best people.  We all have our own list.

What if we didn’t assume we were supposed to find the best church?  What if we sought to join a less appealing church, even one struggling and in need of hope, one that seems to have very little to offer us?  Two brave examples come to mind, one a family with three grade school children, and the other a single white female college student.  

A Young Family Finds Challenge

A young family was relocating, and they were concerned about finding a good church.  They were a solid Christian family and they had also grown significantly as mission-minded Christians in their time at our church.  I challenged them to transfer what they had learned about being missional to a church community that was still trying to figure it out, rather than going on a search for a similar church and one that would meet their needs, as would be typical.  We talked about being a humble and gracious agent of change and how to tell stories of God’s glory in His Mission.  

They did it, but it was extremely hard.  The church they joined was doctrinally sound and so they received good biblical teaching, but it was lacking in affection, unwelcoming, and sometimes downright mean.  As the months passed, the congregation warmed toward them, though haltingly.  It was no easy task, but the young mother was able to motivate them and lead them in their first serious outreach attempt.  The church succeeded in that ministry effort and began to absorb her contagious joy for life and ministry in Christ.  It was a faith adventure with God that was filled with greater blessings because of the hardships.

A Young Adult Finds Community

A college student I know chose not to attend a church with many other students like herself, in fact she purposefully went out of her way to select a church with hardly anyone like her at all.  It was a small struggling Hispanic church plant, even having some spiritual health issues.  She was a Spanish major, but nonetheless this was a bold unconventional move to make.  She was determined to enter community as a learner.

Every Sunday she would have to push herself across language and cultural barriers, and trust the Holy Spirit to build genuine relationships.  And she would have to make extra effort outside of church to listen to biblical preaching to benefit her soul.  God was faithful to bless the church with her and her service over these past four years, and He probably blessed her even more by the church family that loved her greatly.  Everyone benefited because of the intentionality of this college student.

Try Something Different Next Time

We move around a lot these days.  Next time you move you might prayerfully consider selecting a church using atypical criteria, or encourage your friend who is moving to do so.  Certainly, this approach is not for everyone, nor for anyone all of the time, including the two examples earlier.  However, the Lord might like to bless you and your family as you encourage a church in need of encouragement, even as you assist them in fulfilling their role in His Mission.

This is just a suggestion, but this could be yet another way to experience what the Apostle Paul wrote about in Romans 1:11-12 (ESV), “For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”

We Are Just Pastors After All

When the phone conversation concluded only then did I realize how disturbing it was.  

Pastors concerned about their missionaries serving overseas should be able to talk with the sending agency in confidence, with openness yet discretion, and be taken seriously.  

As I was explaining a delicate situation and one with significant relational implications, it became apparent that the agency’s representative didn’t really care.  He listened but didn’t want to understand or trust my judgments.  

He was saying in effect, “what would you know about missions, you are just a pastor?”

Shut Out from Above

As pastors we are often sought out but then kept out.  We are sought out because we are the gatekeepers of people and money.  Once people are captured and funds plundered, we are seen as partners only as long as we continue to be useful in the same ways.  We are not asked to be real participants in the missionary work, just non-meddling suppliers.  Further attempts to be involved, if perceived as too threatening, are brushed off by these experts as the experts.  Some churches have realized this and have ended their relationships with certain agencies, or all of them deciding to go it alone (not usually the best course of action however).  When mission agencies act like this they miss out on the potential for valuable partnerships with pastors.

Shut Down from Below

Then pastors can get slapped on the other cheek by their own congregations having been instilled with tidbits of expertise by these mission experts.  They echo the sentiment that they don’t think their pastors know much about missions, or ever really could.  Many churches simply want their pastor to serve them and their communities, and they shut down any serious attempts to engage the mission endeavor.  When congregations act like this they miss out on astounding opportunities to be used by God in reaching the world for Christ, being led by their pastors whom they love and trust.

Shut Up from Within

As pastors we sometimes stay in our realm because of intimidation from above and below, or because it is more convenient, comfortable or peaceful to do so.  We retreat perhaps to focus on ministries and ministry management that only we can do and do well, or that we enjoy most and for which we are most appreciated.  We can end up accepting the view of ourselves that we don’t belong in missions, at least not at the level of strategy and direction.  We might only be used for resources and knowledge and yet we seem to be okay with that; but when we act like this we miss out on broader influence for the Kingdom of God.

Leadership and Partnership

Most pastors are successful in ministry and are faithfully teaching the Word.  They are helping to bring about spiritual transformation in the lives of many people in a wide variety of life situations.  Pastors are doing the work here that we are all attempting to accomplish over there on the field to one degree or another.  Many have been doing it for years, and will continue doing it for years to come.  The gift of pastor-teacher is a true biblical position not to be downplayed but highly honored.   To have pastors strategically involved in leading in the mission only makes sense.

I am looking forward to having more pastors leading in the Gospel mission; and to having more congregations acting like mission teams under the direction of their leaders.  And I am looking forward to more genuine strategic partnerships functioning among agencies and churches, which will lead to the greater results we all dream about and pray for, results that I believe can only be attained by such quality partnerships.

The Time Has Come

Our Lord Jesus taught His Apostles in Luke 24:46-47 (NASB), “Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”

We are familiar with the prophetic nature of the first part about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but notice in part two that the Mission of the Church was also written in the Law of Moses, Prophets and Psalms.  There was no missional requirement nor missional practice for the people of God under the Old Covenant.  However, the Mission would become a significant part of church life under the New Covenant.

One of the reasons Luke recorded these words of Jesus was so that every church might see its mission efforts and successes as actually fulfilling prophecy!  Since “it is written,” then it must be fulfilled--this makes it all the more exciting to go, to send, to give and to pray!  

Likewise, the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 15:20-21 (ESV), “I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written [Isaiah 52:15], ‘Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.’”

His well-defined practice of establishing new churches among new people groups and in strategic locations was motivated by understanding Isaiah 52:15.  It was not simply his preference, personality or ego, rather it was in accordance with God's design and command to reveal His salvation to the world.  He knew the time had come in the history of redemption for the Mission!

We do live in perhaps the most thrilling of times, when we can see for ourselves that the Gospel is actually reaching the very ends of the earth and God is calling out for Himself a people to worship Him forever.  Since the time has come, may we confidently take great risks for His glory among all peoples and their full enjoyment of Him!