When I look at how computers, the internet and emerging technology have revolutionized American life, I can't help but wonder if we could use technology to increase our efficiency at mission work.
Between new (and free) services such as YouTube, Facebook, Blogger, along with video chat services and some pay video conference softwares, I have been wondering how to best utilize these resources for the spread of the Gospel.
Some have already begun posting sermon videos on YouTube as well as their church web sites. Others have begin broadcasting their services live online, while others network using Facebook, and post God's truth using Blogger or Wordpress. I applaud the efforts and advancements being made here, but I wonder if we could use these resources to plant churches and win more souls.
Here's a scenario. Church A in MidSizeVille, Texas, has a burden for the folks of Metropolis, Texas. Church A prays for a missionary, but no missionaries answer the call. The church sends letters to all the associational churches inviting prospective missionaries and preachers to step forward for this church planting mission, but none do. Church A even promises to recommend full salary support and pay for housing. Still, no response. (This happens more than you know.)
Feeling the burden more than ever, Church A then strikes out on its own, and sends a group from the church on a "mission trip" to Metropolis. They canvass neighborhoods, shopping centers and parks, and win a few souls to the Lord. Over the course of a week, a few souls are saved, then baptized, and one of the new converts offers to host Bible studies, but is reluctant to teach.
A member from Church A then agrees to travel back and forth once a week from MidSizeVille to Metropolis to lead this Bible study, but all know that this is unsustainable. So, the newly formed Bible study group and the members of Church A come up with a solution. The member of Church A, as well as the pastor, can both lead the Bible studies via an online video conferencing software. Utilizing two lap-top computers, DSL or another high-speed internet connection, and two video cameras with mics and a video projector, the church member, pastor, or other church leader can actually present a lesson, interact, answer questions and disciple the Bible study members via video conferencing. It's a two-way communication.
At the same time, the Bible study host is trained to take on more of a leadership role. Over time, the Bible study group comes together, having been scripturally saved and baptized, and forms a local new testament church, receiving some of its teaching from the Bible study host, and some from the online video conferencing with the sponsoring church. In fact, the two bodies may actually hold "joint services" on Sunday mornings via video.
Over time, with the discipleship of the emerging leaders, routine visits from the sponsoring church, and the hand-up the new body receives from the sponsoring church, the new church eventually finds meeting facilities and calls a pastor. It then becomes self-sustaining without the need of the sponsor's support, and the sponsoring church moves on to the next project.
Granted, this is a fantasy arrangement of things and I have not taken various mission-work challenges into consideration, but I wonder if we could begin using technology to its fullest capabilities. What do you think about using new technologies to spread the Gospel more rapidly?
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Monday Mission Fields: Austin, Texas
One or two trips down to the Texas Hill Country will convince anyone that the Austin area is one of the most rapidly growing metro areas in America. This premonition is backed up by U.S. Census data that shows that Austin is the third fastest growing city in the U.S. This, along with an absence of ABA-associated Missionary Baptist Churches should motivate any prospective church planter to at least consider Austin as a field.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates Austin's population at 757,000 people. It serves as the state capital of Texas, is home to the University of Texas (T-u for my Aggie friends), is the second most influencial city in Country Music (second only to Nashville) and a major influence on music and pop-culture nationwide. Austin is known as the live-music capital of the world, which gives rise to night clubs, drinking and drug problems. Crime is increasingly becoming a problem in Austin.
Austin is home to politicians, musicians, actors, state employees and high-tech employees. In fact, it is even home to Apple computer. Many high-tech firms migrated from Silicone Valley, Calif., to Austin during the brown-outs of 2001, seeking more stable power supplies and better economic climates than California.
People from all walks of life, and I do mean all walks of life are flocking to Austin for education (UT has an enrollment of more than 150,000 undergrads), job opportunities, and new leases on life. They bring with them just about any type of philosophy and world view imaginable. Evangelism in this area should be interesting to say the least.
Acquiring property and building facilities will be difficult. Austin is very big on environmental protection, so expect there to be numerous environmental impact studies, and expect to have to include "green" features on any facility you plan to build. This may actually be cost-prohibitive, but who knows what God will provide for you.
Renting space will also be costly, but may prove to be a viable option for meeting space. There are also schools, conference centers, convention halls, and so on... but expect some resistance when you disclose that you are renting for church meetings.
Apartment ministries may be the most cost-effective, highest evangelical return rate method to use here, but I have not thoroughly researched this.
The bad news is that Austin is a difficult field. ABA mission works and church plants have failed here before.
The good news is that mission work can be successful in Austin. One church organized a few years ago in Round Rock, a northern sub-urb of Austin. The Missionary Baptist Association of Texas (the Texas state association) provides a generous salary structure, provided that you are sent out by a member church. Texas Mission Development is unrivaled in its ability to raise funds for buildings and land. SO, you do have resources to work with. Plus, you have sister churches to fellowship with in nearby Rockdale, Round Rock, and even as far as San Antonio.
Still interested and want to learn more, click here.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Agree or Disagree?
If you don’t love (agape) your brothers and sisters in Christ, you do not have faith in Christ.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
How-To Thursday: Keeping it Real
As a radio ad executive, I have to be completely sold on the value of my station if I'm going to be effective at selling radio campaigns. I also have to be creative... but I definitely have to be sold on my station's value.
In the same way, if I am going to be a successful evangelist, I must be completely sold out for the Gospel. I have to be totally convinced that it is true, that Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures. If the Gospel is not real to me, or if I fail to see how it has totally changed and revolutionized my life, I'll be unable to present it with any passion and will have a hard time convincing people to believe it.
The problem that the unchurched have with church is not the hymns, the preaching, the "early" Sunday morning service at 11 a.m., the clothing, the "Baptist" on the sign, or even the moral lifestyle. The problem the unchurched have with church is that they perceive it is full of fake people, and the programs, presentation and dynamic services merely mask the fact that they are "experiencing" a fake celebration. They perceive church as fake.
To a degree, this can't be controlled. Church members will fall, people will sin publicly, others will intentionally inflict harm on others' feelings and people will get turned off. However, as a church planter or missionary, you can control whether you are fake, or whether you are real.
What's your motivation for being on the field. Are you there to build a big, strong vibrant church with awesome praise and worship services with a dynamic youth program? Do you dream of a tech-savvy church that utilizes all the latest trends in evangelism and church planting? Do you want to be on the cutting edge of societal evolution? Do you want to show the rest of the association how it's done?
If so, you are in danger of being fake. I have never seen a praise chorus, powerpoint screen, or wind ensemble lead a single soul to Christ. (Conversely, I've never seen a Heavenly Highway Hymnal lead anyone to Christ either.) If you have gone to the field to start another "next biggest thing" organization (commonly referred to as a church), then you are just adding another problem to a field that is likely already littered with "church-growth-driven" casualties.
People need what's real, and what's real is the Gospel. If the fact that Christ paid for your sins on the cross has really changed your life, if you were truly transformed by your salvation experience, then let that be what drives you. Use your passion for Christ to do evangelism. The church that grows out of that will be the church that your mission field needed most.
Don't be program-driven. Be Gospel-driven. Be real, then keep it real. Peace out!
Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
In the same way, if I am going to be a successful evangelist, I must be completely sold out for the Gospel. I have to be totally convinced that it is true, that Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures. If the Gospel is not real to me, or if I fail to see how it has totally changed and revolutionized my life, I'll be unable to present it with any passion and will have a hard time convincing people to believe it.
The problem that the unchurched have with church is not the hymns, the preaching, the "early" Sunday morning service at 11 a.m., the clothing, the "Baptist" on the sign, or even the moral lifestyle. The problem the unchurched have with church is that they perceive it is full of fake people, and the programs, presentation and dynamic services merely mask the fact that they are "experiencing" a fake celebration. They perceive church as fake.
To a degree, this can't be controlled. Church members will fall, people will sin publicly, others will intentionally inflict harm on others' feelings and people will get turned off. However, as a church planter or missionary, you can control whether you are fake, or whether you are real.
What's your motivation for being on the field. Are you there to build a big, strong vibrant church with awesome praise and worship services with a dynamic youth program? Do you dream of a tech-savvy church that utilizes all the latest trends in evangelism and church planting? Do you want to be on the cutting edge of societal evolution? Do you want to show the rest of the association how it's done?
If so, you are in danger of being fake. I have never seen a praise chorus, powerpoint screen, or wind ensemble lead a single soul to Christ. (Conversely, I've never seen a Heavenly Highway Hymnal lead anyone to Christ either.) If you have gone to the field to start another "next biggest thing" organization (commonly referred to as a church), then you are just adding another problem to a field that is likely already littered with "church-growth-driven" casualties.
People need what's real, and what's real is the Gospel. If the fact that Christ paid for your sins on the cross has really changed your life, if you were truly transformed by your salvation experience, then let that be what drives you. Use your passion for Christ to do evangelism. The church that grows out of that will be the church that your mission field needed most.
Don't be program-driven. Be Gospel-driven. Be real, then keep it real. Peace out!
Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Guiding Principles
Yesterday, Jessica and I had a rather in-depth discussion over dinner at Dairy Queen. We discussed the direction we'd like to see the mission go, and the things necessary for the mission to have an impact on the city of Brownwood. Over the course of the conversation, I identified five possible guiding principles for Grace Pointe. They are:
- Everyone deserves to hear the Gospel (see Romans 1:14).
- Every member proclaims the Gospel.
- Every church sends missionaries.
- Every member supports the church's ministry.
- Every household in Brownwood gets evangelized.
Jessica also identified some core practices, such as Service, Witnessing, Application and Teaching (or Training)... to form the acronymn, SWAT. She is developing a program for the ladies auxiliary, and I think SWAT will be the core values there.
All that being said, we will be canvassing north Brownwood neighborhoods this week, and have two major outreach events approaching.
- National Back to Church Sunday on Sept. 13.
- Brownwood Reunion Weekend Sept. 18-20.
I've been told that Grace Pointe MBM is off to a great start... but I don't feel like we've really gotten started. I am amazed at how far the mission has come in the past year, and I anxiously anticipate how amazed I'll be this time next year.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Welcome to the Future
14 consecutive #1 hits... my prediction is that this one becomes the 15th for Brad Paisley. Great Video about where we are, technologically, generationally, and racially. I think this is Brad's best video yet.
Kind of fires me up about world missions, too.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Monday Mission Fields: Falcon, Colorado
Are you feeling your church planting oats? Ready to head to a field that will challenge your abilities in evangelism, discipleship and fund raising? Want to see a church planted, established, and grow alongside a town? Want to be a missions pioneer? Have I got the field for you.
Introducing Falcon, Colorado! Don't be fooled by the wide open spaces and the 2,700 population. Falcon sits on the outskirts of Colorado Springs, and with the Springs overflowing with economic development and population growth (in spite of their best efforts to limit it), Falcon is picking up the overflow. Falcon's population is growing so rapidly that few can imagine where the 2010 census figure will be. Couple that with the proximity to Colorado Springs and Peyton, and you have a vast field to work.
Falcon is not a place for the faint-of-heart church planter. These days it seems that every church planter and their mothers are heading to the Springs metro area, and many are landing in Falcon. So, one of your obstacles is that many of the doors you knock on will have already been knocked on several times. Couple that with the fact that Coloradoans don't like to be bothered, and you have some evangelical barriers. That's the first challenge.
The second challenge is meeting space. Every school in Falcon has a new church plant meeting in it. One is a Presbyterian. One is an SBC. One is a non-denominational, and so on. Storefront space is also limited. While you will be able to get started by holding meetings in a home, the fact is that eventually you'll have to move out into a public venue. This is going to require some creativity. Either (a) you'll have to see about using a school, but holding worship at a non traditional time, or (b) you'll have to pony up and rent a store front (which is expensive and hard to come by in a growing economy), (c) live in an apartment community and use the community room (I'm unsure of the availability) or (d) purchase land and begin the building process (I hope deputation went well.)
In most cases, I shy away from building new facilities, especially in markets like Brownwood where vacant church buildings are plentiful and rented space comes cheap. However, Falcon is unique. Not only are rented venues hard to come by and expensive, but with the town still being built and established, perhaps a hearty building progam is not a bad way to go. Prime real estate is still available, and building now could pave the way for your church to be the cornerstone of Falcon tomorrow.
Building and facilities are only half the battle, though. Before you even get to the point where you are presenting plans to a regional planning and zoning board, you have to have a congregation. Springs area residents are professional people. They work hard, are organized, and have little tolerance for those who do not have their act together. You must be organized and professional, and take your calling very seriously. Furthermore, you have to be able to present the Gospel in a way that no one has before (which shouldn't be all that difficult when you look at what some churches are calling the Gospel these days).
So, if you are feeling up to a difficult field where ministry is expensive, other religions are active, and evangelism is distracted by lots of outside noises, Falcon is for you. But, hey! There are upsides. The Springs area has lots of ways to rest and relax, from traveling up Pike's Peak, to the Imagination Station at Focus on the Family (for the kids of course) to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, R&R is never more than 30 minutes away.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Vick signs with the Eagles
Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick has reportedly signed a one-year contract with a second-year option to play with the Philadelphia Eagles. I'm surprised. Outside of Terrell Owens, the Eagles have generally steered clear of players who might create off-the-field drama.
Mission: Brownwood July 2009 Report
Grace Pointe MBM makes most of rented facility
The mission moved into the new facility that it rented in June, and immediately went to work making the necessary improvements to bring the building up to a place of worship.
Following weeks of intense painting, flooring, and trim work, the mission hosted the Southwest Association Mission Rally on July 25.
Grace Pointe MBM hosts mission rally
The Southwest Mission Rally was a beaming success.
Fifty three people from 11 churches gathered to hear mission reports, give reports, and fellowship as we shared our passions for missions and reaching lost souls.
The district ladies auxiliary shared testimonies and planned a retreat, while the men’s brotherhood enjoyed an informative program presented by Bro. Marion Reed on state missions.
Bro. Jim Slocumb preached the afternoon message, and really challenged those in attendance.
The next Southwest Mission Rally is scheduled to be in Clovis, N.M., in October, but Grace Pointe is eager to host again.
Sizzlin’ summer months not so hot in Brownwood
While the city of Brownwood enjoyed above-normal rainfall and below-normal temperatures in July, the mission did not enjoy lower attendance. Attendance fell off slightly in July, and is on pace to be down in August due to vacations and illnesses. Offerings were up in July, but will likely be back to normal in August.
There are ups and downs in mission work, and we are not phased. We are, however, renewing our outreach efforts, follow up efforts, and ministries such as VBS.
Mission: Brownwood surge!
We are currently reaching a turning point in the discipleship process where emphasis will be placed on fundamentals, and where the mission will have to learn to be a church. The added strain of this, along with the ever increasing need of evangelism, combined with an increased workload at my job, has prompted me to request Rocky Springs to recommend me for full salary at the MBA of Texas meeting this fall. Rocky Springs has honored that request, so we ask you to pray about our pending request for full support. Those with questions may call me directly at (325) 200-8531, or we can discuss the conditions on the field at the pre-associational meeting at Rocky Springs in October. Thank you, and God bless.
By The Numbers…
Attendance
(Sunday Mornings)
7/5 – 17
7/12 – 18
7/19 – 13
7/26 – 24
Finances
Grace Pointe MBM
Offerings –$1,252.75
Memorial MBC (Rusk, TX) $100
John Nickle (Rusk, TX) $25
Northcrest BC (Andrews, TX) $86.44
Jim Slocumb (Jacksonville, TX) $200
Expenses:
TMD - $62.64
Texas state missions - $62.64
Electricity - $70.91
Water - $26.22
Rent - $600
Leland salary - $100
Banking - $3
Mission: Brownwood Fund
Support:
MBA of Texas $1,911
Denson Springs MBC (Grapeland) $300
Salmon MBC (Elkhart, TX) $65
Hickory Grove MBC (Newport, AR) $113.05
Ridgecrest MBC (Levelland, TX) $25
White Rock MBC (Center, TX) $100
Heritage BC (Missouri City) $200
Memory Lane MBC (Palestine, TX) $50
Bassett Road BC (Palestine, TX) $75
Muse MBC (Grapeland, TX) $200
Quaker Ave. BC (Lubbock, TX) $100
Bethel MBC (Tatum, TX) $50
Rocky Springs MBC (Jacksonville, TX)$200
East Side BC (Jacksonville, TX) $100
58th Ave BC (Amarillo, TX) $111.09
Nevill’s Chapel MBC (Mt. Pleasant)$184.13
Sublett Road BC (Arlington, TX) $50
Wyndrock MBC (Abilene, TX) $40
First Baptist Church (Arp, TX) $240
Expenses:
Salary: $1,911
Radio ads: $400
Tables and Chairs: $882.50
Refrigerator: $388.73
Paper goods: $88.56
Mission Rally food: $63.85
VBS Art Supplies: $128.46
Pulpit supply: $101.69
The mission moved into the new facility that it rented in June, and immediately went to work making the necessary improvements to bring the building up to a place of worship.
Following weeks of intense painting, flooring, and trim work, the mission hosted the Southwest Association Mission Rally on July 25.
Grace Pointe MBM hosts mission rally
The Southwest Mission Rally was a beaming success.
Fifty three people from 11 churches gathered to hear mission reports, give reports, and fellowship as we shared our passions for missions and reaching lost souls.
The district ladies auxiliary shared testimonies and planned a retreat, while the men’s brotherhood enjoyed an informative program presented by Bro. Marion Reed on state missions.
Bro. Jim Slocumb preached the afternoon message, and really challenged those in attendance.
The next Southwest Mission Rally is scheduled to be in Clovis, N.M., in October, but Grace Pointe is eager to host again.
Sizzlin’ summer months not so hot in Brownwood
While the city of Brownwood enjoyed above-normal rainfall and below-normal temperatures in July, the mission did not enjoy lower attendance. Attendance fell off slightly in July, and is on pace to be down in August due to vacations and illnesses. Offerings were up in July, but will likely be back to normal in August.
There are ups and downs in mission work, and we are not phased. We are, however, renewing our outreach efforts, follow up efforts, and ministries such as VBS.
Mission: Brownwood surge!
We are currently reaching a turning point in the discipleship process where emphasis will be placed on fundamentals, and where the mission will have to learn to be a church. The added strain of this, along with the ever increasing need of evangelism, combined with an increased workload at my job, has prompted me to request Rocky Springs to recommend me for full salary at the MBA of Texas meeting this fall. Rocky Springs has honored that request, so we ask you to pray about our pending request for full support. Those with questions may call me directly at (325) 200-8531, or we can discuss the conditions on the field at the pre-associational meeting at Rocky Springs in October. Thank you, and God bless.
By The Numbers…
Attendance
(Sunday Mornings)
7/5 – 17
7/12 – 18
7/19 – 13
7/26 – 24
Finances
Grace Pointe MBM
Offerings –$1,252.75
Memorial MBC (Rusk, TX) $100
John Nickle (Rusk, TX) $25
Northcrest BC (Andrews, TX) $86.44
Jim Slocumb (Jacksonville, TX) $200
Expenses:
TMD - $62.64
Texas state missions - $62.64
Electricity - $70.91
Water - $26.22
Rent - $600
Leland salary - $100
Banking - $3
Mission: Brownwood Fund
Support:
MBA of Texas $1,911
Denson Springs MBC (Grapeland) $300
Salmon MBC (Elkhart, TX) $65
Hickory Grove MBC (Newport, AR) $113.05
Ridgecrest MBC (Levelland, TX) $25
White Rock MBC (Center, TX) $100
Heritage BC (Missouri City) $200
Memory Lane MBC (Palestine, TX) $50
Bassett Road BC (Palestine, TX) $75
Muse MBC (Grapeland, TX) $200
Quaker Ave. BC (Lubbock, TX) $100
Bethel MBC (Tatum, TX) $50
Rocky Springs MBC (Jacksonville, TX)$200
East Side BC (Jacksonville, TX) $100
58th Ave BC (Amarillo, TX) $111.09
Nevill’s Chapel MBC (Mt. Pleasant)$184.13
Sublett Road BC (Arlington, TX) $50
Wyndrock MBC (Abilene, TX) $40
First Baptist Church (Arp, TX) $240
Expenses:
Salary: $1,911
Radio ads: $400
Tables and Chairs: $882.50
Refrigerator: $388.73
Paper goods: $88.56
Mission Rally food: $63.85
VBS Art Supplies: $128.46
Pulpit supply: $101.69
How-To Thursday: Arriving at the Field, or Getting Started
Bear in mind that my frame of reference is in state/interstate missions... so the following will not likely apply to a foreign mission field, with the possible exceptions of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and California.
The fanfare of deputation and associational meetings does not last forever. Those who loved you and supported you along the way will eventually help you unload the U-Haul... but then the U-Haul drives away, leaving your entire life in boxes in a house that looked much larger empty. You're there alone (or with your family, if you are married).
Events affect people differently. For me, this time was marked by fear. The moment we were settled into the house, the supporters had returned to East Texas, and there were no more deputation visits-only the work ahead of us, nervousness engulfed my soul. Here, I had spent seven months sharing my call to Brownwood and presenting my plan of action, and now, I had to put action behind those words. The one question that echoed so loudly in my mind that I could hear little else was, "Where do I start?"
"I'll invite people to church." (I have no church).
"I'll talk to my friends." (I don't know anyone here).
"I'll rent a building and hold services." (I have no congregation).
Then, this exchange happens...
(phone rings)
"Hey brother, how many did you have your first Sunday in Brownwood?"
"Five."
"Just your family, huh?"
"Yep."
"Well, don't worry, mission work takes time."
When you arrive at your mission field, you will feel a mixture of emotions. I can't tell you what those emotions will be because all people are different. I will tell you this. Don't fear failure in the first month. Don't be overwhelmed by the enormity of the task at hand. Don't be afraid to start, but don't feel pressured to start the second the U-Haul drives away either.
Feel free to go on to bed and get a good night's sleep that first night. In the morning, if you don't already have to report to a job, feel free to just go into town and take it in. Go to Walmart. Go to the mall. Eat out a couple of meals. Maybe even go to the movies. Put yourself in as many public places as possible over the first few days. This accomplishes a few things.
First, you will begin to get a better feel for the culture of the town. That mall might have seemed like an economic hub during your survey trips, but having spent some time there now, you might notice that it is more of a teen hangout, or a tourist destination than a fishing hole to reach the people of the town. You will find out which establishments the townspeople are passionate about. You will also get a better idea of how they think. And don't think just because you are doing mission work in your home state, or even your home area that you know the culture. You don't. Brownwood and Coleman are only 35 miles apart (spitting distance by West Texas standards), and they are as different as night and day.
The second thing this accomplishes is it breaks the ice for you. You get to relax and enjoy your new life in this new town for a little while. It's okay to do so. You have about three to fifteen years of hard labor ahead of you. Take time and smell the roses.
My approach to this is not unique. In his book, "Gleanings from the Field, or Things I Learned as a First Time Missionary," Jack Spencer, current ABA missionary to Clovis, New Mexico, also advised taking time to acclamate yourself to your new field, and to rest up. I highly recommend "Gleanings" to any prospective missionary. Bro. Spencer shares his experiences in mission work in Maryland, and gives straight forward advice on all the things the new church planting books are too cool to address.
Anyway, back on topic. After a reasonable time of acclamation, get started. I recommend starting by meeting your neighbors and befriending them. (Which is why I also recommend living in town, in a neighborhood or apartment community as opposed to buying a 365 acre ranch). Be open and honest about who you are, and what you are doing, but let it come up naturally. Be a friend. Who knows, you might be meeting your first congregants. From there, continue to make friends and connections, and combine your evangelism approach. This is where having a job comes in handy, but is not a necessity.
There is much debate about street evangelism vs. relationship evangelism vs. servant evangelism. All three have their advantages and disadvantages. Use a comprehensive approach to your field which incorporates all three. Make friends and do relationship evangelism. Go door-to-door and use street evangelism, and if someone needs help, then servant evangelism becomes profitable. And host Bible studies. You need a way to disciple those you evangelize.
If this comes together for you the way it did for me, you'll see a core group emerge in a matter of months, not years. You'll see people being drawn together by the Lord, their common experiences and their friendships. It's a beautiful thing.
Whatever you do on the field, do things the way God leads you to. The conditions on the field and his direction might very well open the door for you to use a completely different approach than I did. However, if you find yourself on the field that first day saying, "Where do I start?" then give this method a try. It worked well for me.
The fanfare of deputation and associational meetings does not last forever. Those who loved you and supported you along the way will eventually help you unload the U-Haul... but then the U-Haul drives away, leaving your entire life in boxes in a house that looked much larger empty. You're there alone (or with your family, if you are married).
Events affect people differently. For me, this time was marked by fear. The moment we were settled into the house, the supporters had returned to East Texas, and there were no more deputation visits-only the work ahead of us, nervousness engulfed my soul. Here, I had spent seven months sharing my call to Brownwood and presenting my plan of action, and now, I had to put action behind those words. The one question that echoed so loudly in my mind that I could hear little else was, "Where do I start?"
"I'll invite people to church." (I have no church).
"I'll talk to my friends." (I don't know anyone here).
"I'll rent a building and hold services." (I have no congregation).
Then, this exchange happens...
(phone rings)
"Hey brother, how many did you have your first Sunday in Brownwood?"
"Five."
"Just your family, huh?"
"Yep."
"Well, don't worry, mission work takes time."
When you arrive at your mission field, you will feel a mixture of emotions. I can't tell you what those emotions will be because all people are different. I will tell you this. Don't fear failure in the first month. Don't be overwhelmed by the enormity of the task at hand. Don't be afraid to start, but don't feel pressured to start the second the U-Haul drives away either.
Feel free to go on to bed and get a good night's sleep that first night. In the morning, if you don't already have to report to a job, feel free to just go into town and take it in. Go to Walmart. Go to the mall. Eat out a couple of meals. Maybe even go to the movies. Put yourself in as many public places as possible over the first few days. This accomplishes a few things.
First, you will begin to get a better feel for the culture of the town. That mall might have seemed like an economic hub during your survey trips, but having spent some time there now, you might notice that it is more of a teen hangout, or a tourist destination than a fishing hole to reach the people of the town. You will find out which establishments the townspeople are passionate about. You will also get a better idea of how they think. And don't think just because you are doing mission work in your home state, or even your home area that you know the culture. You don't. Brownwood and Coleman are only 35 miles apart (spitting distance by West Texas standards), and they are as different as night and day.
The second thing this accomplishes is it breaks the ice for you. You get to relax and enjoy your new life in this new town for a little while. It's okay to do so. You have about three to fifteen years of hard labor ahead of you. Take time and smell the roses.
My approach to this is not unique. In his book, "Gleanings from the Field, or Things I Learned as a First Time Missionary," Jack Spencer, current ABA missionary to Clovis, New Mexico, also advised taking time to acclamate yourself to your new field, and to rest up. I highly recommend "Gleanings" to any prospective missionary. Bro. Spencer shares his experiences in mission work in Maryland, and gives straight forward advice on all the things the new church planting books are too cool to address.
Anyway, back on topic. After a reasonable time of acclamation, get started. I recommend starting by meeting your neighbors and befriending them. (Which is why I also recommend living in town, in a neighborhood or apartment community as opposed to buying a 365 acre ranch). Be open and honest about who you are, and what you are doing, but let it come up naturally. Be a friend. Who knows, you might be meeting your first congregants. From there, continue to make friends and connections, and combine your evangelism approach. This is where having a job comes in handy, but is not a necessity.
There is much debate about street evangelism vs. relationship evangelism vs. servant evangelism. All three have their advantages and disadvantages. Use a comprehensive approach to your field which incorporates all three. Make friends and do relationship evangelism. Go door-to-door and use street evangelism, and if someone needs help, then servant evangelism becomes profitable. And host Bible studies. You need a way to disciple those you evangelize.
If this comes together for you the way it did for me, you'll see a core group emerge in a matter of months, not years. You'll see people being drawn together by the Lord, their common experiences and their friendships. It's a beautiful thing.
Whatever you do on the field, do things the way God leads you to. The conditions on the field and his direction might very well open the door for you to use a completely different approach than I did. However, if you find yourself on the field that first day saying, "Where do I start?" then give this method a try. It worked well for me.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Major Barbara
Did you ever see Major Barbara, the 1941 film based on the George Bernard Shaw play? I did. I watched it during a college English class at Jacksonville College.
Shaw was a socialist, and he satired not only capitalism, but just about every facet of every day life, from business, to marriage, family, and so on. In fact, many of these very things were satirized in the Major Barbara play. Imagine, a Major in the Salvation Army who was a woman, Major Barbara. Or how about a man named Dolly (Major Barbara's love interest?) Or a wealthy weapons manufacturer looking for an heir to his empire (he didn't want to pass it down to his kids because he didn't want his kids to take over a business they didn't understand.) One comical line came during the movie when said weapons manufacturer was asking his son what line of work he'd like to enter into. Upon exhausting a list of possible skills, all of which the son said he didn't have, the weapons manufacturer replied "I suppose then the only thing left for you then is politics."
I don't share Shaw's views, but his plays (Major Barbara, The Chocolate Soldier, and others) were good reads.
One thing that came out in Major Barbara, that I believe is infiltrating the churches of the Lord today is the price of salvation. After Major Barbara compromised her principles in order to receive a large financial gift from a wealthy donor, one of the transients at the Salvation Army began to ask, "What's the price of Salvation now?" He continued to ask this question over and over again.
Over the past few years, I have noticed this question is becoming relevant in today's churches. Business meetings, missions meetings, and associational meetings are dominated, not by the validity of the missionary's work, but rather, if the body wants to commit the funds to it. How much will it cost, what's our obligation, how long will this mission project continue to need financial support, hasn't this work been financially supported long enough, and can't we do something more efficient with this money, are all questions that arise on the floor in any given Missionary Baptist meeting.
Now I agree that we need to be good stewards of the funds God has given us, and I also agree that missionaries should be held accountable for what they do with funds sent to support them. I also agree that we need to have a general idea of what the purposes of the general fund and the missions funds are.
However, while we deliberate the direction of our missions programs, let's not forget the reason we labor, give, request, and report for the Lord. It is the millions of souls in Texas, and worldwide who currently do not know the Lord as their Savior. It is the millions of people who will die in their sins and go to Hell.
Our goal is to win these souls to the Lord, baptize them and disciple them... help them grow in their faith and watch, help and enable their Spiritual growth. The result of this is new churches that are solidly planted in God's truth.
So while we debate questions as to what the definition of missions is, how much a missionary should be paid, how long he should be paid, and how much money he should receive for the mission/church he is working to see planted, let's keep in mind the value of the human souls reached... or to put it another way, "How much is the cost of salvation now?"
Shaw was a socialist, and he satired not only capitalism, but just about every facet of every day life, from business, to marriage, family, and so on. In fact, many of these very things were satirized in the Major Barbara play. Imagine, a Major in the Salvation Army who was a woman, Major Barbara. Or how about a man named Dolly (Major Barbara's love interest?) Or a wealthy weapons manufacturer looking for an heir to his empire (he didn't want to pass it down to his kids because he didn't want his kids to take over a business they didn't understand.) One comical line came during the movie when said weapons manufacturer was asking his son what line of work he'd like to enter into. Upon exhausting a list of possible skills, all of which the son said he didn't have, the weapons manufacturer replied "I suppose then the only thing left for you then is politics."
I don't share Shaw's views, but his plays (Major Barbara, The Chocolate Soldier, and others) were good reads.
One thing that came out in Major Barbara, that I believe is infiltrating the churches of the Lord today is the price of salvation. After Major Barbara compromised her principles in order to receive a large financial gift from a wealthy donor, one of the transients at the Salvation Army began to ask, "What's the price of Salvation now?" He continued to ask this question over and over again.
Over the past few years, I have noticed this question is becoming relevant in today's churches. Business meetings, missions meetings, and associational meetings are dominated, not by the validity of the missionary's work, but rather, if the body wants to commit the funds to it. How much will it cost, what's our obligation, how long will this mission project continue to need financial support, hasn't this work been financially supported long enough, and can't we do something more efficient with this money, are all questions that arise on the floor in any given Missionary Baptist meeting.
Now I agree that we need to be good stewards of the funds God has given us, and I also agree that missionaries should be held accountable for what they do with funds sent to support them. I also agree that we need to have a general idea of what the purposes of the general fund and the missions funds are.
However, while we deliberate the direction of our missions programs, let's not forget the reason we labor, give, request, and report for the Lord. It is the millions of souls in Texas, and worldwide who currently do not know the Lord as their Savior. It is the millions of people who will die in their sins and go to Hell.
Our goal is to win these souls to the Lord, baptize them and disciple them... help them grow in their faith and watch, help and enable their Spiritual growth. The result of this is new churches that are solidly planted in God's truth.
So while we debate questions as to what the definition of missions is, how much a missionary should be paid, how long he should be paid, and how much money he should receive for the mission/church he is working to see planted, let's keep in mind the value of the human souls reached... or to put it another way, "How much is the cost of salvation now?"
Cruel Summer
Sorry for the reference to the old Bananarama song, but here's how things are going in Brownwood.
1. Mission attendance is way down, as are the offerings for August. I feel that this is temporary as some have been on vacation and others are falling prey to Satan's distractions, but still it can be discouraging. I am fully aware, though, that ups and downs are a part of mission work and general church ministry as well.
2. Mission advancement is challenging. Over the next few months I am going to work to teach the fundamentals about being a scriptural church, and even plan to introduce a church constitution and set of by-laws, as well as a church covenant, documents all prepared for one of our sister churches, as an example. I suspect with the watering down of Christianity, and how that watered down system has been prevalently taught in Brownwood, that there will be problems here. Hence, I have been very slow to move in this direction.
3. Missionary time continues to be strained. Due to the increasing workload of my job (namely trying to get the sales caught up), my time and ability to follow up and evangelize is being cut into heavily.
4. For the fourth time this summer, my home air conditioner is not working. It works fine as long as the temperature stays below 80 degrees outside. Here in Brownwood, it routinely tops 100.
Keep us in prayer, the next two years (the time table for being self-supporting) are going to be times of difficult transition.
1. Mission attendance is way down, as are the offerings for August. I feel that this is temporary as some have been on vacation and others are falling prey to Satan's distractions, but still it can be discouraging. I am fully aware, though, that ups and downs are a part of mission work and general church ministry as well.
2. Mission advancement is challenging. Over the next few months I am going to work to teach the fundamentals about being a scriptural church, and even plan to introduce a church constitution and set of by-laws, as well as a church covenant, documents all prepared for one of our sister churches, as an example. I suspect with the watering down of Christianity, and how that watered down system has been prevalently taught in Brownwood, that there will be problems here. Hence, I have been very slow to move in this direction.
3. Missionary time continues to be strained. Due to the increasing workload of my job (namely trying to get the sales caught up), my time and ability to follow up and evangelize is being cut into heavily.
4. For the fourth time this summer, my home air conditioner is not working. It works fine as long as the temperature stays below 80 degrees outside. Here in Brownwood, it routinely tops 100.
Keep us in prayer, the next two years (the time table for being self-supporting) are going to be times of difficult transition.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Hello, old friend
It's been more than a month since I've blogged. While I enjoy writing and sharing my thoughts and the exploits of the core believers at Grace Pointe, things have been ridiculously hectic over the past two and a half months.
We moved into the rented building at the end of May and held our first services there the first Sunday in June. We immediately went to work refurbishing the back rooms (now a kitchen and fellowship hall, both of which can double as classrooms.) We spent a lot of money at Home Depot and several late nights painting walls and installing floor base (also called baseboard.)
Brothers Mike and John Johnson installed new vinyl composition flooring in the back rooms, as well as carpet in the hallway and nursery.
At the beginning of July, Jessica, the kids and I had to go to Colorado to care for Jessica's mother. We were there for two weeks. While it wasn't really a vacation (we were doing home health), we did enjoy a slowed down pace of life for a while, and got to see the top of Pike's Peak. While I was in Colorado, the operations of KSTA basically fell apart, especially in regard to Sunday programming. One Sunday, the WireReady automation software failed to load the Sunday programs... which is not all that uncommon... but no one caught it until well into the day. Other problems later arose when the person responsible for recording the programs failed to record them in the proper file format.
This is one of the latest in a long series of frustrations that has hindered our mission work. The inability of the station to properly operate during automated hours causes me to have to spend my "off time" (which is when I do the mission work) repairing issues with the radio station.
Three Sundays were horribly botched, and that has had a negative effect on the well being of the station. So, when I returned to Brownwood, I had that mess to clean up... as well as preparations for the Southwest Mission Rally and VBS.
The Southwest Mission Rally went very well. Following a great weekend of fellowship, we hurriedly resumed VBS planning, and finding that a number of our volunteers were falling off due to various reasons, we had to reformat VBS to be more of a youth seminar/presentation than a VBS. Think of it as church camp where the kids go home every night. Attendance has fluctuated at VBS, ranging from six to 22 kids.
Church attendance at the mission is struggling as well. A lot of the regulars have become lax in their attendance, which means that I have to do more follow up, which further strains evangelism efforts.
Notwithstanding all of this, the work at Grace Pointe continues, and will continue and God will see His church established in Brownwood. As we see more challenges, we are getting together (Jessica, myself and several of the "members") and praying and adjusting to overcome the adversities. I have heard that battles never go according to the battle plan... the same holds true in mission work. A mission project never goes according to plan. There are adversities, hurdles, attacks by Satan, heartbreaks and dissappointments. However, there are also sweet victories that come when you see lives changed and souls saved. AMEN!
So, be in prayer for us. We are transitioning now to empower and enable Grace Pointe to undertake the Great Commission given to the Lord's Churches, and we are looking at ways to transform the work in Brownwood so that the mission work here becomes even more robust, and more abundant than it already has become. I feel that if we work the fields, God will give an abundant harvest... so in the traditions of our agricultural ancestors, we'll work the fields from sun up to sundown, possibly later.
Thank you for your prayers, and to our financial partners, thanks for your financial support. We'll see you in Jacksonville in October, and Denison in November. Until then, here's hoping I can keep up the Mission: Brownwood blog better.
We moved into the rented building at the end of May and held our first services there the first Sunday in June. We immediately went to work refurbishing the back rooms (now a kitchen and fellowship hall, both of which can double as classrooms.) We spent a lot of money at Home Depot and several late nights painting walls and installing floor base (also called baseboard.)
Brothers Mike and John Johnson installed new vinyl composition flooring in the back rooms, as well as carpet in the hallway and nursery.
At the beginning of July, Jessica, the kids and I had to go to Colorado to care for Jessica's mother. We were there for two weeks. While it wasn't really a vacation (we were doing home health), we did enjoy a slowed down pace of life for a while, and got to see the top of Pike's Peak. While I was in Colorado, the operations of KSTA basically fell apart, especially in regard to Sunday programming. One Sunday, the WireReady automation software failed to load the Sunday programs... which is not all that uncommon... but no one caught it until well into the day. Other problems later arose when the person responsible for recording the programs failed to record them in the proper file format.
This is one of the latest in a long series of frustrations that has hindered our mission work. The inability of the station to properly operate during automated hours causes me to have to spend my "off time" (which is when I do the mission work) repairing issues with the radio station.
Three Sundays were horribly botched, and that has had a negative effect on the well being of the station. So, when I returned to Brownwood, I had that mess to clean up... as well as preparations for the Southwest Mission Rally and VBS.
The Southwest Mission Rally went very well. Following a great weekend of fellowship, we hurriedly resumed VBS planning, and finding that a number of our volunteers were falling off due to various reasons, we had to reformat VBS to be more of a youth seminar/presentation than a VBS. Think of it as church camp where the kids go home every night. Attendance has fluctuated at VBS, ranging from six to 22 kids.
Church attendance at the mission is struggling as well. A lot of the regulars have become lax in their attendance, which means that I have to do more follow up, which further strains evangelism efforts.
Notwithstanding all of this, the work at Grace Pointe continues, and will continue and God will see His church established in Brownwood. As we see more challenges, we are getting together (Jessica, myself and several of the "members") and praying and adjusting to overcome the adversities. I have heard that battles never go according to the battle plan... the same holds true in mission work. A mission project never goes according to plan. There are adversities, hurdles, attacks by Satan, heartbreaks and dissappointments. However, there are also sweet victories that come when you see lives changed and souls saved. AMEN!
So, be in prayer for us. We are transitioning now to empower and enable Grace Pointe to undertake the Great Commission given to the Lord's Churches, and we are looking at ways to transform the work in Brownwood so that the mission work here becomes even more robust, and more abundant than it already has become. I feel that if we work the fields, God will give an abundant harvest... so in the traditions of our agricultural ancestors, we'll work the fields from sun up to sundown, possibly later.
Thank you for your prayers, and to our financial partners, thanks for your financial support. We'll see you in Jacksonville in October, and Denison in November. Until then, here's hoping I can keep up the Mission: Brownwood blog better.
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