I'm wracking my brains thinking, "Sandi? Do I know a Sandi?" and I don't actually think I do, which means yet another complete stranger has contributed to my support! (see comment after "Dear Diana"!) This is actually becoming quite humorous! Thanks Sandi! What a blessing from the Lord.
As you've pointed out, it IS really easy to give on-line via the SIM website. The only reason I gave the phone numbers is because I didn't think you could make a pledge of monthly support on-line, which is what Diana wanted to do. But maybe you can. Can someone leave me a comment and let me know?
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generation, for ever and ever! Amen." Ephesians 3:20-21
That's all I have to say about that!
20 December 2006
15 December 2006
The Seed of the Gospel
This is a little essay I wrote for the Perspectives missions course I'm doing, reflecting on the "Cultural Perspective" section. I wanted to share it because I think it's one of the most important issues I've had to think through on this course and I wanted to give you a taste of what Perspectives is about.
“Do not bring us the gospel as a potted plant. Bring us the seed of the gospel and plant it in our soil.”
This was a statement made by Mr. Murthi, an Indian evangelist, (Hiebert, “Cultural Differences and the Communication of the Gospel) to Western missionaries in India. It forms a very memorable and vivid picture in my mind as to what my goal is as I attempt to communicate the gospel in a very different culture to my own.
As I reflect on my personal experience and the readings that I’ve done in this “Cultural Perspective” section, I can see how the gospel has often been “transplanted” as a potted plant from Western culture to other cultures throughout history. The cultural trappings that missionaries brought with the gospel message sometimes became the message itself. Converts would adopt Western services, music, leadership styles, lifestyles, etc. Sometimes this practice isolated and excluded new Christians from their larger culture and caused unnecessary barriers to the gospel in different people groups. At other times, the majority of the people group would embrace the “gospel” message but at a surface-level rather than at a deep, worldview level. (Kraft, “Culture, Worldview, and Contextualization”) Some of their outward behavior would change, at least temporarily, but their patterns of choosing, feeling, reasoning, interpreting, valuing, and explaining would be largely unaffected by the gospel message. This often lead to syncretism, the blending of surface-level “Christian” practices with deep-rooted worldview beliefs.
If the gospel is brought to a people group as a potted plant, it is essentially foreign and incomprehensible to that people. The key is to bring it as a seed and plant it in the new soil, watering it and tending it as it grows there. This involves directing the gospel message at the worldview of the people. It must be communicated to them in their heart language and in cultural forms that they can understand.
I think this is a very challenging process. The gospel was originally communicated by Christ within the first century Jewish culture, and then by the apostles within the Jewish and Greek cultures. How do we extract the seed of the gospel from Scripture and also try to free it from our own ingrained cultural assumptions in order to plant it within a new culture? I think an important clue is found in Jesus’ teachings and parables. He used ordinary, every-day cultural forms such as sheep and harvesting grain to communicate the message of the kingdom. His stories varied but they imparted the same truth. Another example is Paul in Athens, when he spent time wandering around the city, observing the peoples’ religious beliefs and practices, before proclaiming to them the “god” they worshiped as an unknown god.
In these lessons, I learned about ministering to people in their “felt need”. What are their fears, what are their sorrows, what do they value, and how does the gospel message speak to these? In Scripture, the gospel is portrayed with different illustrations: as atonement, as justification, as the kingdom of God triumphing over the kingdom of darkness. Different facets of the gospel will resonate within different cultures in significant ways. The plant that grows from the seed of the gospel may look a bit different to one in another culture but it will grow from the same roots and the same new life will come from it. (Kraft, “Culture, Worldview, and Contextualization”)
“Do not bring us the gospel as a potted plant. Bring us the seed of the gospel and plant it in our soil.”
This was a statement made by Mr. Murthi, an Indian evangelist, (Hiebert, “Cultural Differences and the Communication of the Gospel) to Western missionaries in India. It forms a very memorable and vivid picture in my mind as to what my goal is as I attempt to communicate the gospel in a very different culture to my own.
As I reflect on my personal experience and the readings that I’ve done in this “Cultural Perspective” section, I can see how the gospel has often been “transplanted” as a potted plant from Western culture to other cultures throughout history. The cultural trappings that missionaries brought with the gospel message sometimes became the message itself. Converts would adopt Western services, music, leadership styles, lifestyles, etc. Sometimes this practice isolated and excluded new Christians from their larger culture and caused unnecessary barriers to the gospel in different people groups. At other times, the majority of the people group would embrace the “gospel” message but at a surface-level rather than at a deep, worldview level. (Kraft, “Culture, Worldview, and Contextualization”) Some of their outward behavior would change, at least temporarily, but their patterns of choosing, feeling, reasoning, interpreting, valuing, and explaining would be largely unaffected by the gospel message. This often lead to syncretism, the blending of surface-level “Christian” practices with deep-rooted worldview beliefs.
If the gospel is brought to a people group as a potted plant, it is essentially foreign and incomprehensible to that people. The key is to bring it as a seed and plant it in the new soil, watering it and tending it as it grows there. This involves directing the gospel message at the worldview of the people. It must be communicated to them in their heart language and in cultural forms that they can understand.
I think this is a very challenging process. The gospel was originally communicated by Christ within the first century Jewish culture, and then by the apostles within the Jewish and Greek cultures. How do we extract the seed of the gospel from Scripture and also try to free it from our own ingrained cultural assumptions in order to plant it within a new culture? I think an important clue is found in Jesus’ teachings and parables. He used ordinary, every-day cultural forms such as sheep and harvesting grain to communicate the message of the kingdom. His stories varied but they imparted the same truth. Another example is Paul in Athens, when he spent time wandering around the city, observing the peoples’ religious beliefs and practices, before proclaiming to them the “god” they worshiped as an unknown god.
In these lessons, I learned about ministering to people in their “felt need”. What are their fears, what are their sorrows, what do they value, and how does the gospel message speak to these? In Scripture, the gospel is portrayed with different illustrations: as atonement, as justification, as the kingdom of God triumphing over the kingdom of darkness. Different facets of the gospel will resonate within different cultures in significant ways. The plant that grows from the seed of the gospel may look a bit different to one in another culture but it will grow from the same roots and the same new life will come from it. (Kraft, “Culture, Worldview, and Contextualization”)
Dear Diana
I guess this is the only way to communicate with you so here's a post dedicated to you! I got your comment (obviously!) and am pleasantly shocked that you'd like to support me. (For those who might be wondering, Diana is a complete stranger who happened upon my blog and, after reading about how little faith I have, would now like to support me monthly!) Thanks Diana and thank you Lord! This certainly gives my little faith a great big boost! How dare I doubt my God when He works so creatively to provide for me? Probably the easiest thing to do is to phone SIM Canada on (416) 497-2424 or toll free in Canada 1-800-294-6918 and tell them that you'd like to support Amy Winger. They'll tell you what you need to do and send me your contact details so I can get in touch with you. Thanks again!
11 December 2006
O me of little faith!
Raising support--the 2 words that strike fear into the hearts of budding missionaries everywhere! It did to mine--I wanted to avoid it at all costs.
When I returned to Canada from England in March, I began looking at different organizations that I could go to Africa with. I had been told about Medair, a Christian disaster relief organization that specializes in "forgotten" conflicts and natural disasters, an organization which I still have the utmost respect for. In April I checked out their website, thought it looked awesome, and promptly began the application process right then and there. (I do things like that) I spent the next 2 weeks feeling miserable in my spirit, sensing that God was displeased with my decision but trying desperately to justify my reasons.
Not that there's anything wrong with Medair but I soon realized that my motivation for applying was all twisted. You see, I'm very interested in disaster relief and find it all rather thrilling. I also greatly revere and heroize (is that a word? well, I guess it is now) those who do disaster relief and I think I wanted to be a bit of a hero too! And the best part was, I wouldn't have to (shock, horror) raise support for this! The first year, I would be a volunteer with a small allowance and expenses paid and after that if I stayed on I would get (wait for it) a salary! I wouldn't have to depend on anyone else and would be free as a bird.
Like I said, I had no peace about this reasoning and motivation but carried on with my plan for a couple of weeks until God had me in a place where I was a captive audience (in a 6 hour car journey from Edmonton, Alberta to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan to be specific) and spoke to my heart very clearly, exposing my motives and pride. I decided to give in to His will and opened my hands that were clutching my precious Medair plan for dear life and let go. My heart was flooded with peace and with an assurance that I was back on track. God seemed to be saying something like this "I don't want you to be a hero--I want you to be my servant and to trust me for all things."
This experience set me on a further search which eventually led me to SIM, a mission that requires each missionary to (cringe, gasp) raise their own support. Well, I was cool with that now. I thought "Yeah, of course God will provide." I was a bit like Peter in the Bible who decided to jump out of his boat to walk on the water with Jesus.
Things were going well until he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the waves around him. Just like I was ok until I actually had to start raising support. Sometimes I feel like I'm going to sink and go nowhere, let alone to Sudan! All sorts of doubts flood in. What an uncomfortable situation! To be asking people for money? Why should they support me and my ministry when there are thousands of missionaries and ministries and organizations out there that they could be supporting? I have now been raising support for about a month and what an emotional roller-coaster it has been!
Well, I felt inspired to write about this tonight because I just received a new pledge which brought me up to roughly 10% of my monthly required support and there have been a number of one-time gifts too. I have felt gently chastised by the Lord the last couple days because yesterday I started to freak out inside about this whole raising support thing again and could practically picture myself, a little old lady in her rocking chair croaking out "Just hit 75%! Should be able to make it to Sudan next decade at this rate!" This was even though I had received an unexpected pledge of a one-time gift the day before and someone committing to some serious prayer on my behalf. That night I checked my email inbox and there was an email from a friend pledging some monthly support. Then another pledge of monthly support today and someone at church letting me know they sent in a one-time gift. And...ok Lord, I think I get the message! You'd like me to trust--you promise to provide. Thank you!
This raising support thing is one of the scariest things I have ever done, but in only one month, one of the things that has also brought me the most joy. I can see tonight that it is completely out of my hands. I cannot control, manipulate, or otherwise manoever this process very much. God is building my prayer and financial support team in His way, in His time. It thrills my heart each time someone writes or tells me that they are either sending in a gift, pledging regular support, or committing to be a prayer warrior. I'm humbled and gob-smacked (great, British expression) that God has given me the opportunity to represent these peoples' heart for world mission and serve Him in Sudan. We'll do it together, some of us in Sudan, some of us back at home.
"Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'"
Matt. 14:29-31
When I returned to Canada from England in March, I began looking at different organizations that I could go to Africa with. I had been told about Medair, a Christian disaster relief organization that specializes in "forgotten" conflicts and natural disasters, an organization which I still have the utmost respect for. In April I checked out their website, thought it looked awesome, and promptly began the application process right then and there. (I do things like that) I spent the next 2 weeks feeling miserable in my spirit, sensing that God was displeased with my decision but trying desperately to justify my reasons.
Not that there's anything wrong with Medair but I soon realized that my motivation for applying was all twisted. You see, I'm very interested in disaster relief and find it all rather thrilling. I also greatly revere and heroize (is that a word? well, I guess it is now) those who do disaster relief and I think I wanted to be a bit of a hero too! And the best part was, I wouldn't have to (shock, horror) raise support for this! The first year, I would be a volunteer with a small allowance and expenses paid and after that if I stayed on I would get (wait for it) a salary! I wouldn't have to depend on anyone else and would be free as a bird.
Like I said, I had no peace about this reasoning and motivation but carried on with my plan for a couple of weeks until God had me in a place where I was a captive audience (in a 6 hour car journey from Edmonton, Alberta to Prince Albert, Saskatchewan to be specific) and spoke to my heart very clearly, exposing my motives and pride. I decided to give in to His will and opened my hands that were clutching my precious Medair plan for dear life and let go. My heart was flooded with peace and with an assurance that I was back on track. God seemed to be saying something like this "I don't want you to be a hero--I want you to be my servant and to trust me for all things."
This experience set me on a further search which eventually led me to SIM, a mission that requires each missionary to (cringe, gasp) raise their own support. Well, I was cool with that now. I thought "Yeah, of course God will provide." I was a bit like Peter in the Bible who decided to jump out of his boat to walk on the water with Jesus.
Things were going well until he took his eyes off Jesus and looked at the waves around him. Just like I was ok until I actually had to start raising support. Sometimes I feel like I'm going to sink and go nowhere, let alone to Sudan! All sorts of doubts flood in. What an uncomfortable situation! To be asking people for money? Why should they support me and my ministry when there are thousands of missionaries and ministries and organizations out there that they could be supporting? I have now been raising support for about a month and what an emotional roller-coaster it has been!
Well, I felt inspired to write about this tonight because I just received a new pledge which brought me up to roughly 10% of my monthly required support and there have been a number of one-time gifts too. I have felt gently chastised by the Lord the last couple days because yesterday I started to freak out inside about this whole raising support thing again and could practically picture myself, a little old lady in her rocking chair croaking out "Just hit 75%! Should be able to make it to Sudan next decade at this rate!" This was even though I had received an unexpected pledge of a one-time gift the day before and someone committing to some serious prayer on my behalf. That night I checked my email inbox and there was an email from a friend pledging some monthly support. Then another pledge of monthly support today and someone at church letting me know they sent in a one-time gift. And...ok Lord, I think I get the message! You'd like me to trust--you promise to provide. Thank you!
This raising support thing is one of the scariest things I have ever done, but in only one month, one of the things that has also brought me the most joy. I can see tonight that it is completely out of my hands. I cannot control, manipulate, or otherwise manoever this process very much. God is building my prayer and financial support team in His way, in His time. It thrills my heart each time someone writes or tells me that they are either sending in a gift, pledging regular support, or committing to be a prayer warrior. I'm humbled and gob-smacked (great, British expression) that God has given me the opportunity to represent these peoples' heart for world mission and serve Him in Sudan. We'll do it together, some of us in Sudan, some of us back at home.
"Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'"
Matt. 14:29-31
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