Asian Mission, Aug 2009 Issue

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Thoughts from the heart

This issue of Asian Mission is a compilation of thoughts gathered from different sources, all written with the same purpose – to pass on what each is deeply passionate about.

For those interested in or already working cross-culturally, training is vital to the understanding of simple principles which will go a long way in helping the worker be more effective in ministry. “Not Your Regular Cup of Coffee” illustrates for us that how a worker responds to a cultural situation is important to the effectiveness of their ministry.

“A Fuzzy Understanding of Missions” shares about “stepping beyond” the boundaries of the local church to “initiate the kingdom where it would not otherwise occur”, meaning that we need to look closely at what criteria is used to determine what we consider as “missions”.

For those who have stepped beyond into areas untouched by others, this may mean going to places where there is little or non-existent contact with others of similar vision, background and common goals. This may mean deprivation of fellowship, a situation addressed in “Fellowship Starvation”. This heart-cry of many cross-cultural workers is also discussed in “What Cross-cultural Workers Ought to Know about Loneliness”, where we see ways a worker can deal with loneliness in ministry.

In dealing with relationships on a personal level, we also need to see how grace is to succeed in our lives. Missions is “All about Grace”, and it is essential to learn that we need to receive it and we also need to learn
to give it.

In another personal account, “Footwashing and Agape”, we learn the secret of servant hood in missions, that we serve because we love, showing our ‘love in action’.

“7 Ministry Values” takes us into the heart of cross-cultural workers who share what to them is most valuable in serving others – love, relationships, respect, learning, deferring judgement, relevance, and not focusing on
results.

We trust you will glean many new insights from your reading.

Janet Armstrong