The following is an email exchange between me and a missionary a few years. It demonstrates the "local isn't missions" mindset of most American Christians. I changed his name to Bob. "Hello Pastor, I pray that this message finds you well in this challenging time of transition and flexibility. We have been in prayer for the National church to not only survive, but thrive during this time.
Not to mention, when a nation that had the bright light chooses the darkness, there is no obligation on God's part to pull that nation to rescue any time for thousands of years. See Israel...
So, missions at home and locally - it's what we need, desperately.
This is ironic considering the tendency for AG churches to pop up and grow quickly with grandeous claims then die within 1-3 generations. I wonder if the massive amount of churches available anywhere in the US isn't more to do with the desire to be a part of something new? Because the differences between most of them seem to be more like the differences between Mcdonald's and Burger King rather than the difference between Mcdonald's and generations of godly women trained to make better food than you can buy at any restaurant.
Because without looking at the quality of teaching or lives a church produces, metrics can be manipulated to say whatever I want them to.
I have mixed feelings about this. Obviously, our United States of America is in serious trouble these days (even liberals would agree on that!). Still, if someone believes God has called them to a foreign mission field, I would hate to discourage that. BUT they need to walk forward in that call with their eyes open. If you've read any stories of missionaries, you know it's far from an easy life.
I like how the PCA does it, with both Mission to the World and Mission to North America. Each is equally valid… and valuable.
Not to mention, when a nation that had the bright light chooses the darkness, there is no obligation on God's part to pull that nation to rescue any time for thousands of years. See Israel...
So, missions at home and locally - it's what we need, desperately.
Bob continually tried to guilt trip you. What a shameful way to convince a fellow Christian. If he even believed you're are even that...
This is ironic considering the tendency for AG churches to pop up and grow quickly with grandeous claims then die within 1-3 generations. I wonder if the massive amount of churches available anywhere in the US isn't more to do with the desire to be a part of something new? Because the differences between most of them seem to be more like the differences between Mcdonald's and Burger King rather than the difference between Mcdonald's and generations of godly women trained to make better food than you can buy at any restaurant.
Because without looking at the quality of teaching or lives a church produces, metrics can be manipulated to say whatever I want them to.
I have mixed feelings about this. Obviously, our United States of America is in serious trouble these days (even liberals would agree on that!). Still, if someone believes God has called them to a foreign mission field, I would hate to discourage that. BUT they need to walk forward in that call with their eyes open. If you've read any stories of missionaries, you know it's far from an easy life.
I like how the PCA does it, with both Mission to the World and Mission to North America. Each is equally valid… and valuable.