Today, there are many old nominal religious gathering characterized by pride, selfishness and division. Their gathering seems religious but not spiritual. God cannot bless their gathering. Jesus’ presence is not in their midst since they are not gathering in unity.
“For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matt.18:20. This promise of God’s presence is conditional. God approves a small gathering only if the two or three gathered in His name. In the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit manifested Himself because they gathered in unity.
The faction in the religious gathering means you are inviting and welcoming other spirit’s presence rather than God’s. The promise of God’s presence is only for those churches who gather in unity.
We can plant a character building church inside this big assembly. But we must remember that a missionary is a model so don’t begin the work of church planting anywhere else, begin it within yourself.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
The True Goal of Church Planting
Sulad Jhun Cardeinte
What is the true goal of church planting? How do some missionaries view church planting? How does it affect our mission? “The church is God's appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. From the beginning it has been God's plan that through His church shall be reflected to the world His fullness and His sufficiency. The members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory. The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually be made manifest, even to "the principalities and powers in heavenly places," the final and full display of the love of God. Ephesians 3:10. AA 9
So what is the goal of church planting? If you think that gathering lot of worshippers then you miss the true goal of church planting. We can answer the question by seriously answering this question: How do we measure success in church planting? Is a missionary successful because the church planted by the missionary was able to establish another church? Maybe many would say yes. But other denominations can do this. I’m holding the belief that only the true church has the true goal of church planting.
Many missionaries claimed they were successful in the church planting since they where able to gather many members and they were able to branch out another church, where in fact the reality was that they just have enough funds to make another branch. And the scary thing is that the spirit of selfishness and division is crippling inside the church they planted. Did Jesus declare he was successful after he gathered the crowd of followers and the 12 disciples following Him? (Mark 3: 7-19).
It is possible that many serve as church planting missionary but did not know the true goal of church planting. They have lot of strategies. They know how to emphasize the doctrine theologically. But they miss the true goal of church planting that is to plant churches that reflects the character of Jesus, a church that each member really unite to build up their character, a loving and faithful church, though their meeting place(building)is not nice. The primary goal of the church planting is to build the heart of people who will be willing to be counted as the son of God, who is willing to stand for the right no matter what their faith would bring them and are willing to say “all to Jesus I surrender.” Church planting is not necessarily mean putting up building or branching out another worship hall in other places, but establishing people who are faithful and committed worshippers of God. Who are willing and open for Holy Spirit’s use.
Is there any church like this in the world today? If a missionary can plant a spiritual church like this, then this church will naturally branch out of its own. It will not only branch out one or two churches but immeasurable that no human being can tell! One spiritual church is brighter than a thousand nominal churches.
What is the true goal of church planting? How do some missionaries view church planting? How does it affect our mission? “The church is God's appointed agency for the salvation of men. It was organized for service, and its mission is to carry the gospel to the world. From the beginning it has been God's plan that through His church shall be reflected to the world His fullness and His sufficiency. The members of the church, those whom He has called out of darkness into His marvelous light, are to show forth His glory. The church is the repository of the riches of the grace of Christ; and through the church will eventually be made manifest, even to "the principalities and powers in heavenly places," the final and full display of the love of God. Ephesians 3:10. AA 9
So what is the goal of church planting? If you think that gathering lot of worshippers then you miss the true goal of church planting. We can answer the question by seriously answering this question: How do we measure success in church planting? Is a missionary successful because the church planted by the missionary was able to establish another church? Maybe many would say yes. But other denominations can do this. I’m holding the belief that only the true church has the true goal of church planting.
Many missionaries claimed they were successful in the church planting since they where able to gather many members and they were able to branch out another church, where in fact the reality was that they just have enough funds to make another branch. And the scary thing is that the spirit of selfishness and division is crippling inside the church they planted. Did Jesus declare he was successful after he gathered the crowd of followers and the 12 disciples following Him? (Mark 3: 7-19).
It is possible that many serve as church planting missionary but did not know the true goal of church planting. They have lot of strategies. They know how to emphasize the doctrine theologically. But they miss the true goal of church planting that is to plant churches that reflects the character of Jesus, a church that each member really unite to build up their character, a loving and faithful church, though their meeting place(building)is not nice. The primary goal of the church planting is to build the heart of people who will be willing to be counted as the son of God, who is willing to stand for the right no matter what their faith would bring them and are willing to say “all to Jesus I surrender.” Church planting is not necessarily mean putting up building or branching out another worship hall in other places, but establishing people who are faithful and committed worshippers of God. Who are willing and open for Holy Spirit’s use.
Is there any church like this in the world today? If a missionary can plant a spiritual church like this, then this church will naturally branch out of its own. It will not only branch out one or two churches but immeasurable that no human being can tell! One spiritual church is brighter than a thousand nominal churches.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
The Gospel and the Traditional Beliefs
sulad Jhun Cardeinte
One of the reasons of the existence of their traditional beliefs and practices are to answer their spiritual problems and questions in their real life situation. Children learn them from their old aged folks. People believe their ritual leaders, thinking that they have wisdom to answer their spiritual emptiness. Since that is the only available and common answers they have around them which were handed down from the old to the present society they are in.
Though there are certain traditional beliefs that are useful bridge to let them understand the gospel, many of the aspects of traditional beliefs and cultures are contrary to the Gospel. For example, the Mien people pay their health, protection and fortune to the spirits by making spirit money and ritual ceremony. Mien rituals and ceremonies are very costly, tiresome and time consuming. The literal payment and their sincere effort assure them their security in all aspect. The Bible confronts this belief. Believing Jesus Christ is far different and free of charge.
If the challenge in the city evangelism is replacing their inappropriate livelihood, the challenge in the hilltribe church planting includes finding Biblical ways to replace their old sinful ways of responding to life’s struggle with Christian ceremonies and activities that bring glory to God.
Each hilltribe group has their own ritual ways in responding to unexpected and unpleasant situation. Now observe what your people do in difficult times and when they are sick. Use these questions as a guide;
What are the things they do when they are sick? Or when something bad happen to them? How do they respond to sickness or to bad situation? How should Christians respond to sickness and to any unfavorable situation? What can you do to replace their sinful ways to Biblical ways?
One of the reasons of the existence of their traditional beliefs and practices are to answer their spiritual problems and questions in their real life situation. Children learn them from their old aged folks. People believe their ritual leaders, thinking that they have wisdom to answer their spiritual emptiness. Since that is the only available and common answers they have around them which were handed down from the old to the present society they are in.
Though there are certain traditional beliefs that are useful bridge to let them understand the gospel, many of the aspects of traditional beliefs and cultures are contrary to the Gospel. For example, the Mien people pay their health, protection and fortune to the spirits by making spirit money and ritual ceremony. Mien rituals and ceremonies are very costly, tiresome and time consuming. The literal payment and their sincere effort assure them their security in all aspect. The Bible confronts this belief. Believing Jesus Christ is far different and free of charge.
If the challenge in the city evangelism is replacing their inappropriate livelihood, the challenge in the hilltribe church planting includes finding Biblical ways to replace their old sinful ways of responding to life’s struggle with Christian ceremonies and activities that bring glory to God.
Each hilltribe group has their own ritual ways in responding to unexpected and unpleasant situation. Now observe what your people do in difficult times and when they are sick. Use these questions as a guide;
What are the things they do when they are sick? Or when something bad happen to them? How do they respond to sickness or to bad situation? How should Christians respond to sickness and to any unfavorable situation? What can you do to replace their sinful ways to Biblical ways?
Missionary and Culture
Sulad Jhun Cardeinte
Missionaries working in the cross-cultural field must be aware that there are many people who will not accept change readily. They oppose to new ideas and methods. They are suspicious and prejudice, though your intention is for their good it will be misunderstood. The pen of inspiration says, “Workers with clear minds are needed to devise methods for reaching the people. Something must be done to break down the prejudice existing in the world against the truth.” Ev, 129 However, you cannot think of method unless you understand how they see things in their own worldview.
The basic human relational principle of missionary in the foreign land would be similar to visiting your neighbor’s house that you have to be observant to follow the household rules to fit in yourself with their routines. Though, the host family would understand that you are visitor but they would appreciate if you would behave the way all the family members do and common sense is needed in almost every situation.
So how do we meet people in other culture and belief? Cross-cultural ministry should be considered as “careful evangelism.” This should be breakdown into two;
First, careful about knowing what they believed. This means seeking to understand the people’s thinking and worldview. Second, careful about our relationship with them.
A missionary friend of mine shares his experience how they build up their relationship with the very sensitive minority Moslem tribe in the Philippines. He used to work as a mission school teacher. He told me that they very careful in giving awards. That all students should received honor-ribbons. He added that they didn’t have any problem proclaiming the academic honors students but they have tried to be make sure that the strength of each their students were acknowledged. And so all should receive honor ribbons, such as most diligent, most industrious, most kind and etc.” This has many positive effects. The students will remain motivated and on top of that, it is relationship-building between the missionary and the villagers.
Let’s face it, you don’t have effective ministry if you don’t have quality relationship with the people you are there for. If they have reservation to accept you then how about the gospel you have brought with you which is so strange to them? If you are personally strange then the gospel would be far more strange to them. Gospel will only be clear and understandable and acceptable when we make ourselves clear and acceptable, that they can simply build trust on and this relational move is our personal responsibility. If you could win them to yourself then you could usher them to the feet of Jesus. For me personally, I only trust the recommendation of friends whom I have trusted.
Missionaries working in the cross-cultural field must be aware that there are many people who will not accept change readily. They oppose to new ideas and methods. They are suspicious and prejudice, though your intention is for their good it will be misunderstood. The pen of inspiration says, “Workers with clear minds are needed to devise methods for reaching the people. Something must be done to break down the prejudice existing in the world against the truth.” Ev, 129 However, you cannot think of method unless you understand how they see things in their own worldview.
The basic human relational principle of missionary in the foreign land would be similar to visiting your neighbor’s house that you have to be observant to follow the household rules to fit in yourself with their routines. Though, the host family would understand that you are visitor but they would appreciate if you would behave the way all the family members do and common sense is needed in almost every situation.
So how do we meet people in other culture and belief? Cross-cultural ministry should be considered as “careful evangelism.” This should be breakdown into two;
First, careful about knowing what they believed. This means seeking to understand the people’s thinking and worldview. Second, careful about our relationship with them.
A missionary friend of mine shares his experience how they build up their relationship with the very sensitive minority Moslem tribe in the Philippines. He used to work as a mission school teacher. He told me that they very careful in giving awards. That all students should received honor-ribbons. He added that they didn’t have any problem proclaiming the academic honors students but they have tried to be make sure that the strength of each their students were acknowledged. And so all should receive honor ribbons, such as most diligent, most industrious, most kind and etc.” This has many positive effects. The students will remain motivated and on top of that, it is relationship-building between the missionary and the villagers.
Let’s face it, you don’t have effective ministry if you don’t have quality relationship with the people you are there for. If they have reservation to accept you then how about the gospel you have brought with you which is so strange to them? If you are personally strange then the gospel would be far more strange to them. Gospel will only be clear and understandable and acceptable when we make ourselves clear and acceptable, that they can simply build trust on and this relational move is our personal responsibility. If you could win them to yourself then you could usher them to the feet of Jesus. For me personally, I only trust the recommendation of friends whom I have trusted.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Why you should visit the sulads resource center?
There are 7 points you should know;
1. So you will understand better how other people group think.
2. So you will become an effective communicators of the gospel.
3. So you could help contribute with your thoughts about certain cross-cultural issues at the sulads forum.
4. So you will discover how to build relationship in other cultural groups for effective ministry.
5. So that you will know how to handle critical cross-cultural situation effectively and appropriately.
6. Because communicating with people in other culture is difficult.
7. Because we should consult the biblical principles in handling conflicting situations.
you are welcome to visit to learn and help at the sulads resource center at www.suladsresource.org (copy and paste it if clcking the site doesn't work)
1. So you will understand better how other people group think.
2. So you will become an effective communicators of the gospel.
3. So you could help contribute with your thoughts about certain cross-cultural issues at the sulads forum.
4. So you will discover how to build relationship in other cultural groups for effective ministry.
5. So that you will know how to handle critical cross-cultural situation effectively and appropriately.
6. Because communicating with people in other culture is difficult.
7. Because we should consult the biblical principles in handling conflicting situations.
you are welcome to visit to learn and help at the sulads resource center at www.suladsresource.org (copy and paste it if clcking the site doesn't work)
Join the Sulads Forum at www.suladsresource.org
Dear SULADS and Friends,
This is a second invitation for you to join the cross-cultural forum
The SULADS RESOURCE FORUM has now started.....There are many questions relating to cross-cultural mission that needs to be answered. And there are many insights you've got that others might need them....Share it!!!!! Or ask the SULADS missionaries to everything you want to know about...Ask your questions and share your insights in the SULADS RESOURCE FORUM...
So, do you have a problem to discuss? come on, start posting!!!I have posted critical cross-cultural issues about the Mien culture and many others. I think those topics are good enough to start with...Please see them
There are many questions there like;
1. What is it like to be a SULADS missionary?
2. The SULADS missionaries will go where the rest of the world is unable. How will I be fit to be a SULADS missionary? Is this for everyone?
3. People who live in the easy-to-reach places have heard the Gospel. The people in the hard-to-reach places haven’t. Often traditional mission strategies don’t get it done. How does the SULADS reach those people in the most isolated and difficult-to-access places?
4. Mien customary invitation; Mien has used cigarette sticks to invite their neighbors for a special ocassion. The host would house to house his neigbhors. He would then hand in a cigarette stick to anyone he invited. And accepting the cigarette stick would mean accepting the invitation. I always accept the cigarette stick! This has happened to me many times. What do you think? I never used but throw away the cigarettes anyway after they left. How could I be a good witness?
5. What do you think is the importance of having a cross-cultural SULADS missionary forum?
Who knows that by visiting the SULADS Forum would become the best cross-cultural online tour you've ever done in your life...There are many more cross-cultural issues there.
Go to the www.suladsresource.org then click the SULADS Forum button at the left to join...
This is a second invitation for you to join the cross-cultural forum
The SULADS RESOURCE FORUM has now started.....There are many questions relating to cross-cultural mission that needs to be answered. And there are many insights you've got that others might need them....Share it!!!!! Or ask the SULADS missionaries to everything you want to know about...Ask your questions and share your insights in the SULADS RESOURCE FORUM...
So, do you have a problem to discuss? come on, start posting!!!I have posted critical cross-cultural issues about the Mien culture and many others. I think those topics are good enough to start with...Please see them
There are many questions there like;
1. What is it like to be a SULADS missionary?
2. The SULADS missionaries will go where the rest of the world is unable. How will I be fit to be a SULADS missionary? Is this for everyone?
3. People who live in the easy-to-reach places have heard the Gospel. The people in the hard-to-reach places haven’t. Often traditional mission strategies don’t get it done. How does the SULADS reach those people in the most isolated and difficult-to-access places?
4. Mien customary invitation; Mien has used cigarette sticks to invite their neighbors for a special ocassion. The host would house to house his neigbhors. He would then hand in a cigarette stick to anyone he invited. And accepting the cigarette stick would mean accepting the invitation. I always accept the cigarette stick! This has happened to me many times. What do you think? I never used but throw away the cigarettes anyway after they left. How could I be a good witness?
5. What do you think is the importance of having a cross-cultural SULADS missionary forum?
Who knows that by visiting the SULADS Forum would become the best cross-cultural online tour you've ever done in your life...There are many more cross-cultural issues there.
Go to the www.suladsresource.org then click the SULADS Forum button at the left to join...
Friday, November 7, 2008
Gardening in the Cross-cultural Route
Sulad Jhun Cardeinte
By experience, we can learned that in reaching the extreme hilltribes, sometimes direct giving of something post some problems. But there is something right you could give directly to them. Enough vegetables and fruits may be the best things you could offer, if given in proper way. Missionaries who love gardening during free time are usually loved by people.
They are also setting good example to the villagers. It is better for the missionary to bring light vegetable seeds than a heavy load of attractive strange goods in the village. Vegetables are basic, healthful, affordable and accumulative. It is basic in the sense that they eat everyday with the main food that is common. It is affordable in the sense that they can easily grasp and plant it for themselves. Most of them own consider size of land. It is also propagating in a sense that they are living and subject to grow and produce and reproduce. Plants have increasing and extending nature!
In reaching the ethnic groups, one of the many ways I observed that help make friends is to grow and maintain a vegetable garden. Living plant is a reflection of a living God. Plan for plants in your village! And you are planting friendship and life. I remember our work in one of the pioneering mission schools somewhere in Bukidnon, Philippines. My teammate was an experienced farmer. So we agreed to grow a good size of vegetable garden, sensing that we should help meet their basic felt needs first before reaching their spiritual needs.
I'm not saying that you should make yourselves a vegetable supplier for all people to help them feel better. In our adult class every Friday, I could still remember our fellowship lunch. Of course we encouraged them to bring with them something of what they have from their house. But we always cooked food which was enough for everyone, because we have something that we can gather from our garden. That memorable event we did almost every week had made us close and won the villagers’ heart.
We even felt happy hearing from the mothers that they learned how to cook from us. Needless to say that some of them didn’t have the idea what a balance diet is, so that while we cooked they learn from us. Not only that, they actually saw that our diet was always almost same of what they had in their house. We invited them so that they will actually see that we have lived their kind of simple lifestyle.
But addressing their felt needs is a starting point toward revealing and knowing their real deep needs.
The gardens we built supplies us! And we survived for months of no food allowance from the SULADS! The pen of inspiration has a say, “Working the soil is one of the best kinds of employment, calling the muscles into action and resting the mind... This is the very first work that should be entered upon.” 6T 179
As health reformers, we must acquire knowledge on how to grow and utilize the land that will better help the people. When you plant, you are making the way and doing wonderful things to help the villagers.
By experience, we can learned that in reaching the extreme hilltribes, sometimes direct giving of something post some problems. But there is something right you could give directly to them. Enough vegetables and fruits may be the best things you could offer, if given in proper way. Missionaries who love gardening during free time are usually loved by people.
They are also setting good example to the villagers. It is better for the missionary to bring light vegetable seeds than a heavy load of attractive strange goods in the village. Vegetables are basic, healthful, affordable and accumulative. It is basic in the sense that they eat everyday with the main food that is common. It is affordable in the sense that they can easily grasp and plant it for themselves. Most of them own consider size of land. It is also propagating in a sense that they are living and subject to grow and produce and reproduce. Plants have increasing and extending nature!
In reaching the ethnic groups, one of the many ways I observed that help make friends is to grow and maintain a vegetable garden. Living plant is a reflection of a living God. Plan for plants in your village! And you are planting friendship and life. I remember our work in one of the pioneering mission schools somewhere in Bukidnon, Philippines. My teammate was an experienced farmer. So we agreed to grow a good size of vegetable garden, sensing that we should help meet their basic felt needs first before reaching their spiritual needs.
I'm not saying that you should make yourselves a vegetable supplier for all people to help them feel better. In our adult class every Friday, I could still remember our fellowship lunch. Of course we encouraged them to bring with them something of what they have from their house. But we always cooked food which was enough for everyone, because we have something that we can gather from our garden. That memorable event we did almost every week had made us close and won the villagers’ heart.
We even felt happy hearing from the mothers that they learned how to cook from us. Needless to say that some of them didn’t have the idea what a balance diet is, so that while we cooked they learn from us. Not only that, they actually saw that our diet was always almost same of what they had in their house. We invited them so that they will actually see that we have lived their kind of simple lifestyle.
But addressing their felt needs is a starting point toward revealing and knowing their real deep needs.
The gardens we built supplies us! And we survived for months of no food allowance from the SULADS! The pen of inspiration has a say, “Working the soil is one of the best kinds of employment, calling the muscles into action and resting the mind... This is the very first work that should be entered upon.” 6T 179
As health reformers, we must acquire knowledge on how to grow and utilize the land that will better help the people. When you plant, you are making the way and doing wonderful things to help the villagers.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Moved by the Holy Spirit
Sulad Jhun Cardeinte
Pressure by the sponsors in our home country or needing impressive reports for supervisor's approval, our worries and incapability to witness will tempt us to create some unbiblical gimmicks. To get people baptized. Honestly, this had happened to many missionaries.
Let us remember that our mission is not just to help the gospel spread further but to finish, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt.24:14 KJV. This will help us understand that we should be open to the Holy Spirit leading not to trust to our limited potentials. Let us learn to leave our worryings to the LORD.
We can learn from the holy prophets of God who did not produce their write ups in their own words, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Pet.1:20,21 KJV. As they had prepared to become vessels that the Holy Spirit can moved them to write.
So we need to have that necessary preparation for the Holy Spirit’s working or else we will be working by our own impulse! Not until we will acknowledge that we cannot accomplish this impossible task, then the Holy Spirit cannot fully work in us. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” Pro. 3:5,6 RSV. Unless we are truly vessels of the Holy Spirit the method we are using is on our own. Let us be humble and welcome His wisdom and might and strength and ability!
Pressure by the sponsors in our home country or needing impressive reports for supervisor's approval, our worries and incapability to witness will tempt us to create some unbiblical gimmicks. To get people baptized. Honestly, this had happened to many missionaries.
Let us remember that our mission is not just to help the gospel spread further but to finish, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matt.24:14 KJV. This will help us understand that we should be open to the Holy Spirit leading not to trust to our limited potentials. Let us learn to leave our worryings to the LORD.
We can learn from the holy prophets of God who did not produce their write ups in their own words, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Pet.1:20,21 KJV. As they had prepared to become vessels that the Holy Spirit can moved them to write.
So we need to have that necessary preparation for the Holy Spirit’s working or else we will be working by our own impulse! Not until we will acknowledge that we cannot accomplish this impossible task, then the Holy Spirit cannot fully work in us. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” Pro. 3:5,6 RSV. Unless we are truly vessels of the Holy Spirit the method we are using is on our own. Let us be humble and welcome His wisdom and might and strength and ability!
Half Welcome
Missionaries’ popular mission strategies may not sometimes go contrary to the leading of the Holy Spirit, but some of those may give just very small space for the Holy Spirit to work into. That the Holy Spirit's assistance is half welcome!
A story is told to a missionary who met his church members to announce his 24 night’s evangelistic seminar plan. He required each of his members to bring 1 friend each night until the end of the seminar. A lady, one of his members, who is very excited about evangelism said, “I suppose to bring three.” I already calculate it and I’m worried that we’ll run short of materials and budget for snacks,” replied the missionary. Sometimes our strategies are defective because we have a very small space that the Holy Spirit can hardly work freely!
I had been assisting evangelistic effort and many times what I had discovered surprisingly was that those uninvited, unregistered or latecomers’ guest, who come halfway to the end of the seminar, become one of the candidates for baptism.
In our missionary endeavors, our methods of labor must see to it that the Holy Spirit is welcome in every detail so He can work freely. Sometimes our methods are too human that demonstrate lack of faith. The worse thing is when we do not give room for the Holy Spirit to work into. There may be times that the Holy Spirit impressed us to conduct evangelistic meeting but we did not obey because we feel we lack budget.
Touching people's lives to commit to the Savior is the work of the Holy Spirit. But it doesn't mean we need to stop finding creative and effective means to evangelize but creative ways of sharing the good news is not the substitute of the Holy Spirit. But it doesn’t mean just sitting down and leave the result to the Holy Spirit. We must find the vessels (methods) so the Holy Spirit could use them.
The real issue is not whether to eliminate our strategies or not, but it is how much space you give and how open is it for the Holy Spirit to work in. If we love the people as Jesus and Paul did then we should study them carefully, learning how to reach them. We need to develop methods with all our wisdom and ability that could lift up Jesus in all His beauty. Make Him as attractive that His name be glorified.
A story is told to a missionary who met his church members to announce his 24 night’s evangelistic seminar plan. He required each of his members to bring 1 friend each night until the end of the seminar. A lady, one of his members, who is very excited about evangelism said, “I suppose to bring three.” I already calculate it and I’m worried that we’ll run short of materials and budget for snacks,” replied the missionary. Sometimes our strategies are defective because we have a very small space that the Holy Spirit can hardly work freely!
I had been assisting evangelistic effort and many times what I had discovered surprisingly was that those uninvited, unregistered or latecomers’ guest, who come halfway to the end of the seminar, become one of the candidates for baptism.
In our missionary endeavors, our methods of labor must see to it that the Holy Spirit is welcome in every detail so He can work freely. Sometimes our methods are too human that demonstrate lack of faith. The worse thing is when we do not give room for the Holy Spirit to work into. There may be times that the Holy Spirit impressed us to conduct evangelistic meeting but we did not obey because we feel we lack budget.
Touching people's lives to commit to the Savior is the work of the Holy Spirit. But it doesn't mean we need to stop finding creative and effective means to evangelize but creative ways of sharing the good news is not the substitute of the Holy Spirit. But it doesn’t mean just sitting down and leave the result to the Holy Spirit. We must find the vessels (methods) so the Holy Spirit could use them.
The real issue is not whether to eliminate our strategies or not, but it is how much space you give and how open is it for the Holy Spirit to work in. If we love the people as Jesus and Paul did then we should study them carefully, learning how to reach them. We need to develop methods with all our wisdom and ability that could lift up Jesus in all His beauty. Make Him as attractive that His name be glorified.
Witness-Special Target of Attack
Sulad Jhun Cardeinte
Preaching the gospel is a mission which the Holy Spirit must be totally involved. What count is not how much strategies you make and how unique are those, but how dependent and submissive we are to the dictates of the Holy Spirit to be a living witnesses. Believe me, the Holy Spirit is a very accurate guide to teach us in what to do in every situation in the field.
Strategies and methods are not substitutes for proclaiming the pure gospel of Jesus. There must be something that can be seen in you about Jesus that convinced them. Missionaries are the living-Bible to the people around them. A missionary who has living faith is a living witness for Jesus.
Don’t you know why a guilty suspect will try to kill the eye-witness of the incident? Because he knows that the dead cannot be a living witness in the court. In the same way, Satan tries to cut our living connection in Jesus because he knows very well that spiritually dead missionary cannot be a living witness to the Savior. When we are spiritually living, it is always goodnews to God because it is always effective beyond human eyes can see. But this is badnews to Satan and this is what he’s scared about and so he will find a very scientific way to cut our connection off from Jesus. For he knows that we are totally cannot function and incapable when we are spiritually disconnected.
Preaching the gospel is a mission which the Holy Spirit must be totally involved. What count is not how much strategies you make and how unique are those, but how dependent and submissive we are to the dictates of the Holy Spirit to be a living witnesses. Believe me, the Holy Spirit is a very accurate guide to teach us in what to do in every situation in the field.
Strategies and methods are not substitutes for proclaiming the pure gospel of Jesus. There must be something that can be seen in you about Jesus that convinced them. Missionaries are the living-Bible to the people around them. A missionary who has living faith is a living witness for Jesus.
Don’t you know why a guilty suspect will try to kill the eye-witness of the incident? Because he knows that the dead cannot be a living witness in the court. In the same way, Satan tries to cut our living connection in Jesus because he knows very well that spiritually dead missionary cannot be a living witness to the Savior. When we are spiritually living, it is always goodnews to God because it is always effective beyond human eyes can see. But this is badnews to Satan and this is what he’s scared about and so he will find a very scientific way to cut our connection off from Jesus. For he knows that we are totally cannot function and incapable when we are spiritually disconnected.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Understanding Privacy
Sulad Jhun Cardeinte
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23
Entering among another cultural group is a challenge. Sometimes, the new lifestyle that is taking over our home-country's habitual life will become a threat to us. There will be a lot of adjustments to make, such as food, climate, forming new relationship, and etc. But one of the most challenging adjustments to make is adjusting to the new people around us.
One of this adjustment is tied up to personal privacy. By nature, we need a quiet environment, time we could spend alone, good and clean space to maintain the comfort and convenience. And when we are deprived from these may cause stresses and demoralization. Privacy is important. We loose our patient when someone invade our privacy and the result we couldn't function well. But what is the main reason why we claim privacy? Because we use to our home culture that we should have something we called ours and we reserved them for ourselves.
We say, “you are welcome, but only until here!” Is there any problem? Yes there is, because your home culture boundary may not be a boundary of other culture. This may cause misunderstanding and may hinder our relationship with the people we are working. One cannot say, you need to understand me because I’m a Filipino or I’m an American. A missionary cannot say “I don’t care” because he should care and must take the responsibility to understand and adjust. Let's face it. Establishing relationship to the people we are working is our responsibility.
Normally, what makes a missionary uncomfortable is when confronted by other strange situation which he feels not normal in his own lifestyle. He should understand the fact that our lifestyle is varied because of cultural, economical, educational, and geographic factors.
These factors made our ways to live greatly differs from others. If two persons with the same culture (both insiders) have misunderstanding, how much more to the person who is not of the same culture (between insider and outsiders).
Individually, there are personal matters we hate to share which we want to keep it confidential. This is how strong the influenced of civil rights in our life which shaped our being.
Education made us aware of the law protecting right and privacies, so that we normally start to claim our implied rights. But sad to say that not all people are educated and aware of rights we are enjoying in our homeland. Understanding other people's thinking of their privacy is one of the key to the door of success.
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” Luke 9:23
Entering among another cultural group is a challenge. Sometimes, the new lifestyle that is taking over our home-country's habitual life will become a threat to us. There will be a lot of adjustments to make, such as food, climate, forming new relationship, and etc. But one of the most challenging adjustments to make is adjusting to the new people around us.
One of this adjustment is tied up to personal privacy. By nature, we need a quiet environment, time we could spend alone, good and clean space to maintain the comfort and convenience. And when we are deprived from these may cause stresses and demoralization. Privacy is important. We loose our patient when someone invade our privacy and the result we couldn't function well. But what is the main reason why we claim privacy? Because we use to our home culture that we should have something we called ours and we reserved them for ourselves.
We say, “you are welcome, but only until here!” Is there any problem? Yes there is, because your home culture boundary may not be a boundary of other culture. This may cause misunderstanding and may hinder our relationship with the people we are working. One cannot say, you need to understand me because I’m a Filipino or I’m an American. A missionary cannot say “I don’t care” because he should care and must take the responsibility to understand and adjust. Let's face it. Establishing relationship to the people we are working is our responsibility.
Normally, what makes a missionary uncomfortable is when confronted by other strange situation which he feels not normal in his own lifestyle. He should understand the fact that our lifestyle is varied because of cultural, economical, educational, and geographic factors.
These factors made our ways to live greatly differs from others. If two persons with the same culture (both insiders) have misunderstanding, how much more to the person who is not of the same culture (between insider and outsiders).
Individually, there are personal matters we hate to share which we want to keep it confidential. This is how strong the influenced of civil rights in our life which shaped our being.
Education made us aware of the law protecting right and privacies, so that we normally start to claim our implied rights. But sad to say that not all people are educated and aware of rights we are enjoying in our homeland. Understanding other people's thinking of their privacy is one of the key to the door of success.
Impact of Home Visitation
Sulad Jhun Cardeinte
“Therefore go and make disciples..." Matthew 28:19
Among the many public evangelism I have participated in the Philippines, I found out that most of the decisions of our baptismal candidates were the result of house-to-house visitation. The contribution of these visiting activities to the success of evangelistic effort, is beyond anyone could imagined.
The pen of inspiration goes on saying, “It is not preaching that is the most important; it is house-to-house work, reasoning from the Word, explaining the Word. It is those workers who follow the methods that Christ followed who will win souls for their hire.” GW 468.
In the cross-cultural route, success in the works largely depends on our personal going out to meet people where they are. “The Lord desires that the truth shall come close to the people, and this work can only be accomplished by personal labor.” Ev 445
Missionary works is not a wait and see job. It is a going out business! “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…,” Matt.28:19. We can learn from the farmers. They go out to sow seeds. Matt. 13:3. They don't sit down waiting in the seed barn, praying for the field to come to him! We go to the lost, not asking or waiting for them to come to us.
One more encouragement from the pen of inspiration, “House-to-house laborers are needed. The Lord calls for decided efforts to be put forth in places where the people know nothing of Bible truth.” CT 540.
We go out to visit the villagers' home to reach them out. Scattering the seeds and to harvest means you need to go to the field. But why be diligent to visit? To discover the needs of the villagers living in the territory. Visiting will help us discover the sick person, let other people feel important and etc., so that they would know that we really care.
A missionary needs to go out and spend time with the people he is reaching. “Are you seeking to become acquainted with those who need your help? Are you using your opportunities and advantages and means in winning souls to Christ?” HP 320 “This house-to-house labor, searching for souls, hunting for the lost sheep, is the most essential work that can be done.” Ev 431
“Therefore go and make disciples..." Matthew 28:19
Among the many public evangelism I have participated in the Philippines, I found out that most of the decisions of our baptismal candidates were the result of house-to-house visitation. The contribution of these visiting activities to the success of evangelistic effort, is beyond anyone could imagined.
The pen of inspiration goes on saying, “It is not preaching that is the most important; it is house-to-house work, reasoning from the Word, explaining the Word. It is those workers who follow the methods that Christ followed who will win souls for their hire.” GW 468.
In the cross-cultural route, success in the works largely depends on our personal going out to meet people where they are. “The Lord desires that the truth shall come close to the people, and this work can only be accomplished by personal labor.” Ev 445
Missionary works is not a wait and see job. It is a going out business! “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…,” Matt.28:19. We can learn from the farmers. They go out to sow seeds. Matt. 13:3. They don't sit down waiting in the seed barn, praying for the field to come to him! We go to the lost, not asking or waiting for them to come to us.
One more encouragement from the pen of inspiration, “House-to-house laborers are needed. The Lord calls for decided efforts to be put forth in places where the people know nothing of Bible truth.” CT 540.
We go out to visit the villagers' home to reach them out. Scattering the seeds and to harvest means you need to go to the field. But why be diligent to visit? To discover the needs of the villagers living in the territory. Visiting will help us discover the sick person, let other people feel important and etc., so that they would know that we really care.
A missionary needs to go out and spend time with the people he is reaching. “Are you seeking to become acquainted with those who need your help? Are you using your opportunities and advantages and means in winning souls to Christ?” HP 320 “This house-to-house labor, searching for souls, hunting for the lost sheep, is the most essential work that can be done.” Ev 431
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