Anyone who knows me knows that I have had the privilege over the last 10 years of travelling multiple times to Ethiopia and Uganda, with a trip to Kenya thrown in there as well. I have met and worked with some amazing Christian leaders and thinkers serving in the Majority World.
These men and women stretch our outlook and understanding of the Great Commission. As followers of Jesus in North America, we need these brothers and sisters – because, like it or not, we do not have all the answers, or necessarily the best answers for seeing the kingdom of God spread to the ends of the world.
Obstacle 1
We tend to function as though the Western, North American Church is the centre of God’s work in the world. We tend to think we know best. We know how to do missions and discipleship and leadership and justice. The truth is the church here in North America (both Canada and the USA) are in decline. Christianity is more cultural than real, and it is fading fast. In the Majority World, Christianity is growing many times faster than in the West.
Instead of standing in the role of teacher, we would do well to take the posture of listener and learner. The act of humbling ourselves to learn from our sisters and brothers around the world will be good for our spiritual health.
Obstacle 2
We often act and think as though our particular denomination or tribe has some exclusive claim on mission expertise. Whatever our label, we assume our tribe is the one that really understands how to reach the world. I am not saying that our church networks are somehow insignificant. Not at all. It is just that God is working across denominations throughout the world to fulfil his own purposes. We get to be in on that. We lessen Kingdom work when we ignore or insult faithful Christians outside our particular network who are faithfully serving the Lord.
Obstacle 3
We have let an unbalanced view of evangelism keep us from investing in the work of the Global Church. Jesus’ words, recorded at the end of Matthew’s Gospel, are for his followers to go into all the world and make disciples. And even though the word “discipleship” is clearly in this passage, we have often acted as if what is important is mass evangelism efforts with people responding to the gospel. But that is not what the passage says. It clearly says
- make disciples of all nations,
- baptise in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
- teach them to obey everything I have commanded you.
Instead, we have substituted our version of spiritual awakening with a little moral teaching thrown in. And that, sadly, leaves little room for intentional discipleship. It is no wonder than that there are places where, after a so-called Christian awakening or revival, we see the growth of movements that depart from orthodox Christian teachings.
Focusing on quick multiplication isn’t the answer, even though such movements are filled with lots of excitement and a sense of momentum. The growth of the church requires intentional discipleship and well-trained leaders so that it faithfully reflects Jesus’ commission to the church.
Moving Forward
When I am invited by my friends in Ethiopia and Uganda to come and teach, encourage, build up pastors and other leaders I do so with a sense of these are people who are on the frontlines. Many sacrifice much to come together.
My focus is on discipleship. On building up leaders and churches. I think it is difficult for a person from the outside, like myself, to do effective evangelism. For a couple of reasons:
- Evangelism, which leads to discipleship and life transformation, takes time. More than the week or so that I typically spend with a group.
- Evangelism requires speaking to the heart, and that requires speaking the local language.
In our sessions, I am often asked questions about how to do something related to pastoral ministry. While I can share some of my stories, I always preface them with "this is how I do this in my culture." But many times I respond with "I don't understand this culture well enough to answer that, but here are some biblical things you need to keep in mind, as together you wrestle with how you live this out."
When I raise support for my trips to East Africa, there is a large component for the ministry expense of bringing people together and supporting them while at the conference. Then, with God's help, I play a role in equipping and encouraging them for ministry in their local settings.
Comments