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Is There a Joshua You Need to Commission?

Is There a Joshua You Need to Commission?

Pass the baton. You know this principle. 2 Timothy 2:2 says it so clearly. Paul discipled Timothy, Timothy entrusted the teaching to faithful men. They passed it on to others also. Leaders who hold on to authority may grow powerful. The scope of their ministry 

How Do You Reach Your Neighbor Who Follows Another Faith? (Part 2)

How Do You Reach Your Neighbor Who Follows Another Faith? (Part 2)

When you see a Muslim woman, dressed in her hijab, many Christians feel afraid. They avoid talking to people of other cultures. One of my relatives recently befriended a woman from another faith background. It’s been interesting to watch her reach out. As far as 

How Do You Reach Your Neighbor Who Follows Another Faith? (Part 1)

How Do You Reach Your Neighbor Who Follows Another Faith? (Part 1)

I’m not finding anyone who is open to the gospel,” he told me in a call. I asked further questions. “Who are you wanting to reach?” He described his vision to reach high caste Hindus in his area. As we talked further, I asked him how he went about sharing the gospel. “I tell them they shouldn’t worship gods made from hands but should worship The One who created everything instead.”

A true statement, but not the best place to start with devoted Hindus. At some point, you need to speak the truth in love to those who follow other gods, or ways of approaching God. Jesus is indeed the only way to the Father. He said of himself, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man comes to the Father, except by me.

Attacking another person’s religion and cultural values is neither wise nor fruitful. It is distasteful, unkind, and creates huge barriers for them to “hear” the gospel you are trying to share. At the same time, we live in a day and age where being tolerant has become a more important virtue than loving people enough to share the truth. We need to learn to boldly and relationally share the reality of who Jesus is for us and who He can be for them as well.

Giving Up Hamburgers and Steak

When we first went to Nepal, our first several years were devoted to language and culture learning. Our hearts longed to share the gospel with the unreached around us, but we faced a huge language barrier. In some ways, this was good. It slowed us down and forced us to take time to learn more about the Nepali Hindu worldview.

At first our learning was on the surface. We noticed things like food, clothing, how their houses were built, how they greeted one another. Slowly our language ability increased. We began to learn about deeper worldview issues. Things like what they believed about how the world began, the caste system, and reincarnation. This understanding would inform our witness.

Being foreigners, when we visited a Nepali home, we were welcomed warmly. Nepalis are generous and hospitable people. We’d sit on the floor, drink delicious cups of sweet chai, chit-chatting about their family, the weather, and other things.

Almost always, sometime within the first ten minutes of conversation, a question would surface. “Do you eat cows?” This question particularly came up, if we mentioned any kind of spiritual topic.

Most Hindus in Nepal (at the time we were there), had never heard about Jesus. They had little idea of who He was, why He came to earth, or what He did when here. His life, death, resurrection, and the reason for those things, was new information for them.

What they had heard though, was that Christians eat beef.

Hindus worship the goddess Laxmi who is represented by a cow. The cow is sacred for Hindus. In Nepal, it was against the law to kill a cow. At the time we lived there, the punishment for this was as great as the punishment for killing a person. It was a very big deal to them that Christians ate beef, a major barrier preventing their coming to faith.

If this obstacle didn’t come down, it was hard for them to listen to our message.

Soon after we moved to Nepal, my husband and I made a decision. We would stop eating beef as long as we were focused on reaching Hindus. It was not easy to do. Before this, hamburger had been a staple part of our diet.

Reading 1 Corinthians 8, we knew that food was not what was important. It could indeed be a stumbling block. We stopped eating beef completely.

After that when people would ask us, “Do you eat cow?” We had an answer ready. One that removed the barrier. “No, we don’t. We know that the cow is a sacred animal for Hindus. We want to respect your culture so we don’t eat beef.

We then could move beyond that barrier into further relationship and begin sharing the gospel message. As we continued to learn, we identified other important barriers and bridges. This informed how we presented the gospel in that context.

“But food does not bring us near to God; we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. Be careful however that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.”

1 Cor. 8:8-9 NIV.

3 Best Practice Principles for Sharing Jesus Cross-Culturally (Part 1)

In this article, I will share the first three of eight points. Next week, I’ll add five more.

1. Respect, honor, and curiosity are a great starting point.

When approaching someone from another culture or religion, be respectful. Don’t attack their culture or beliefs. Typically, Western cultures place little value on tradition. Youth around the world, tend to disdain the traditions of their ancestors and enjoy exploring new things (be it drugs, sex or a new religion or cult). That does not mean their interest will stick as they age, mature, and marry, nor is it a good pathway to reaching their entire family.

Instead of attacking their beliefs, show value for them. They are “God-fearers.” If they pray five times a day, that shows a certain hunger for God. You can affirm that. If they fast, or go to the temple, or have certain important rituals, be curious. Ask what those things mean to them. Be respectful of their devotion. This is a great place to begin.

2. Ask questions, listen and discover where they are at.

Within other religions, as with Christianity, there is a wide range of people. Some are radically devoted, others are nominal. Most have some level of allegiance to their religion that is greater than most “cultural Christians” have. This is because religion is strongly tied to community and identity. You can’t underestimate the degree of loyalty they will have to a religion they don’t actually practice much nor understand well. It’s there, under the surface, even with the most nominal or rebellious teen.

Get curious and ask open questions. As you do this, be careful that your questions are to learn and understand, and aren’t perceived as a hidden attack.

For example, you might ask a Muslim friend something like, “I’ve noticed that many Muslim men have beards. I’m super curious…what is the reason men in your culture don’t shave?” Listen well and repeat back to them what you hear to make sure you’ve understood their perspective.

3. Get rid of “my religion” vs. “your religion” language.

When talking with someone from another culture and/or another faith, stay away from my God/your god language. You want to build bridges, not walls (more about that in the next article). Don’t compare using these kinds of words. They divide and separate you from them. Instead, recognize their desire for spiritual things, spirituality, etc. Are they a seeker of God? Do they respect and honor God in some way, even if they don’t yet know Him as you do?

In Acts 17, Paul was in Athens. He began his conversation with the Athenians by talking about one of their altars. It had the inscription “to an unknown god.” He didn’t condemn them for making this altar or say, “We don’t make altars like that in our religion.” Instead, he used that as a bridge to help them understand who the God they were worshipping is!

Start a Learning Conversation

Do you have people of another faith and culture around you? Maybe they work in your office, or their kids go to your kid’s school, or you meet them at the market. Begin relationship with them by showing respect, interest, and being curious about their beliefs.

Who will you start a learning conversation with this week?

I would love to hear how these conversations go in the comments below or on the Missionary Life Facebook page.

Powerful Analogies for Reaching Your Hindu Neighbors

Powerful Analogies for Reaching Your Hindu Neighbors

You love Jesus and want to tell other people about Him. Maybe you have even shared your faith with many people in your own country or from your own culture. That’s great! How do you begin to reach your Hindu neighbors? Would it be better 

How to Share Christ With Muslim Neighbors

How to Share Christ With Muslim Neighbors

Two billion people on our planet are born, live and die without even once hearing the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ! That’s an injustice that doesn’t end with death. Many Christ-followers want to help right this wrong. Why not personally share the good news 

Missionary Safety- Does it Matter?

Missionary Safety- Does it Matter?

Frontier missionaries are usually risk-takers. Courageous and bold, we go where others wouldn’t. We stay when others leave. Deep commitment to the task of reaching the lost motivates us to a life of sacrifice. What risks are unwise to take? Does missionary safety matter?

If you are a long-term missionary in a front-line context, you have probably asked yourself, “Am I willing to die for this?

Martyrdom is not unheard of in our day and age. Persecution is increasing worldwide. Not long ago, the organization I work with, YWAM Frontier Missions, lost one of our best workers in a high mountain area of Central Asia. Just months before that John Chau, of All Nations, was killed in the Andaman islands.

Insights from a Friend

Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing insights on this important topic. These came out of conversations, and the writing of my college friend Joe Malhoit. Joe worked for the last twenty years for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a Special Agent. He specialized in white-collar crime, child prostitution/exploitation, and domestic terrorism. Joe is also a dynamic Jesus follower with a passionate heart for missions.

Our safety does matter to God.

A Biblical Basis for Missionary Safety

Joe shared these scriptures and comments with me as we talked about the biblical basis for safety on the mission field.

1. Wisdom preserves life.

Ecclesiastes 7:12. “For wisdom is protection just as money is protection. But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors.”

Good security is simply the application of wisdom to our daily lives.

2. Children (and their protection) is a priority to God.

Matthew 18:2-6, 10. “At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?…whoever receives one such child in my name receives Me; but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it is better for him that a heavy millstone be hung around his neck, and that he be drowned in the depth of the sea. See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually behold the face of My Father who is in heaven.

Protecting children is a priority to God. Even their assigned angels are given a prominent place before God. This is an extremely strong warning to those who would do harm to children.

A difficult but important follow-up question for us is this. Are we harming them by not providing adequate protection?

3. In danger, we must be shrewd.

Matthew 10:16. “Behold I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves.

We live in a fallen and sinful world, where there are those around us and even within our fellowships who will purposely do harm to others.

Staying Behind

Some years ago, when we were working in South Asia, there was a major conflict between two bordering nations. Threats of war…even nuclear war…were in the air. The US embassy ordered all citizens to leave the country.

We prayed about it and chose to stay. Ignoring the directive of your embassy is a serious decision to make. We had three small children at the time. Not only were we taking risks with our lives, but also with theirs.

Did we make the right choice? What would have caused us to make an alternative decision?

The situation calmed down after a few months and life went on as normal. It could, however, have ended quite differently.

We do not regret that decision and still believe we made the right choice. We are privileged to work in an organization that allows us to listen to God and do as He is directing, even if it means risks. In many organizations, leaders make those decisions for you.

Even more reason to consider these issues carefully.

Take Time to Consider

What do you think of the above scriptures? Are there others you have found helpful on this topic? Please share them with us in the comments below or on the Missionary Life Facebook group.

Why not start a dialogue with your team about safety precautions? Use these scriptures as a starting point. In the next blog, I’ll share more of Joe’s suggestions for the kinds of actions we as missionaries can take to stay safe on the field.

3 Areas Where We Need to Examine Our Inner Life- A Book Review

3 Areas Where We Need to Examine Our Inner Life- A Book Review

Some contemplatives live in a monastery cloistered far away from a broken world. Others engage with it believing that God’s transformation is not only for us but for many. Rich Villodas and his co-author Peter Scazzero live into this tension well. The Deeply Formed Life: 

An Overcoming Spirit in the Midst of Crisis

An Overcoming Spirit in the Midst of Crisis

Borders closing. Food shelves bare. Churches unable to meet. Never in history have we encountered anything quite like what our world is facing. How we respond as Jesus followers says a lot about who we are. As missionaries, will we seize this opportunity to share 

How to Build an Effective Missionary Team

How to Build an Effective Missionary Team

One of my friends has a coffee mug that says, “I don’t like morning people- or mornings- or people.” It brings a smile to my face. Yep. I’ve felt that way before! Some people are terribly difficult to deal with. This can be especially true when those people are on your team!
 
Team conflicts are a great source of stress in the lives of missionaries. It is not easy to develop a group of people who are all on the same page, or who get along with each other well. How do you find those who are willing to stay committed to the tasks? It is not easy! Great missionary teams are possible though.
Missionary teams
 
You may not have a good team right now, but you can. Father God designed us to work in teams. It is His will to help you create a wonderful team that works well together toward a truly God-given vision. If you do your part, God will also do His. He will lead you to that place of unity, blessing, and fruitfulness.

It Could Have Failed Completely

I’ve worked on some awesome teams! It brings great joy when we function together in unity. It is wonderful to pursue the passions God has put in your heart together with a group of close friends. We celebrate victories together. We stand together in battles and defeats. It’s a gift from God when this happens!
I was worked on a team preparing to host a training. We delegated various responsibilities. One person was in charge of arranging the venue. Others booked the speakers. We arrived at the location a few days before the training was going to start. About fifty people had registered. As a team, we went to the place that was arranged for the conference. We wanted to take a look.
 
It was a mess! The building was still under construction! There was glass and cement everywhere. The rooms didn’t have windows on them. There were no beds for people to sleep on. Everything was terribly filthy. The biggest problem was there was only one functioning toilet! What would we do?
 
We pulled together as a team! Instead of blaming the person who set up the venue, we decided it was our job to fix this together. We jumped in and cleaned, organized, purchased needed supplies and worked for long hours! By the time the training began, we were ready. In spite of the venue challenges, the training went well. Amazing fruit came from it. What could have been a total flop, was a success. That is the power of a unified team.
 

Two Are Better Than One

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.” NKJV
 

5 Keys To Building An Awesome Missionary Team

missionary team

1. To build a great team: you need crystal clear, compelling vision.

I’ve watched a lot of teams struggle because they don’t really know what it is that they are working together for. Their vision is fuzzy. Each team member’s understanding of the vision is quite different. Consequently, it is easy for them to be pulling in different directions. Conflict and frustration are the results. We waste a ton of time this way!
 
I hate long meetings figuring out the team vision statement. Ugghh! But this process is critical to the team’s success. It doesn’t have to be tedious. You can make it fun and inspiring. It needs to happen though.
 
Does your team have a clear, compelling vision?

2. To build a great team: you need the right people.

Jim Collins writes about this in his well-known leadership book, Good to Great. It is almost impossible to build a great team with the wrong people. If you are starting a new team, carefully select who you invite to be a part. If it is an existing team, you may need to release some people to move on to other things. This can be tricky but is important.
 
A great team is made up of people who are passionately committed to the vision before you. If some team members are not on board with the vision or are constantly causing division, you will have to find a way to get them to leave. Once you have the right people, the rest is much easier.

3. To build a great team: you must know yourself.

A good leader is self-aware. Know your strengths and weaknesses well. Focus your energy on the things you do best. That won’t be everything! Find others who have different personalities and strengths. Doing this serves the overall goal. Recruit people who are strong in your weak areas. With the right people on board, there is synergy and progress. You can delegate tasks and move forward fast.

4. To build a great team: it takes time.

We all like things that are instant. Building a great team doesn’t happen overnight. Finding the right people, clarifying your vision, learning to work together – it’s a slow process.  Sacrificing the time to build your team is a worthy investment.

5. To build a great team: pray a lot!

Like everything else in our lives and ministry, to develop a great team we need God’s help. We need to know who to invite on to our team. How to encourage some people to move on, also requires great wisdom. We need divine appointments to meet the right people- those co-workers who will fit well with our team. This all happens as we pray.
 
Whether you are struggling with your current team or starting a new team, make strengthening your team a matter of daily prayer. Set aside time to listen to God’s direction about this. Get away on a half day retreat and make the team your focus.
Before Jesus chose his disciples, He spent the whole night in prayer. As we faithfully ask God for a great missionary team, He will give it.
 

Next Steps?

What will you do today to move forward in developing an awesome missionary team? Start with one specific action this week. Then continue to take further steps. Before you know it, the team you desire for will be in place.
Pursue Excellence Not Perfection

Pursue Excellence Not Perfection

“Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.” Have you ever read Matt. 5:48 and thought, “Does God really expect me to be perfect?” He does have a high standard of holiness. Our Father wants us to become like Him. This can feel heavy