Missionary Confidential

From the minute we started fundraising in the States years ago, and even up to the present, the first question we’re asked as missionaries is, “Why did you become a missionary to [our mission field country in Western Europe]?”

Most of the time, the query comes from a Christian, both native and international.  It’s an odd question, because as stated above it’s really open to interpretation for the answer they’re looking for.  I’m never sure if they’re looking for:

So our retort is always, “ God.”  Not to be snarky or even difficult, but because it’s true.  Really true.  There’s no earthly explanation as to why two Californians with no link to this country or background in missions ministry would dump everything in the States to do this long-term.  It doesn’t make a bit of sense, I realise this.  But it is what it is.  And many seem to think this is not the right answer. » Read the rest of this entry «

“Unless there is the element of extreme risk in our exploits for God, there is no need for faith.”
- Hudson Taylor

Sometimes I’m not sure that people who visit our congregation think through what they’re actually stating when they say some of the following to us:
“Your little group” (Usually with the superior tone reserved for cute, helpless things)
“Doesn’t it bother you how small your church attendance is?” (Am I supposed to be?  Why is the questioner disappointed when I’m not?)
“Why would you live in such a cold, damp country?” (Because people outside of temperate climates need the Gospel, too)
“Don’t you miss being in regular church?” (I guess we have an irregular church?)
“Do your parents work or are they missionaries like you?” (Addressed this before)
..and the famous First Question About Our Ministry: “How many attend?” (Never, ever been asked how people are growing in the Lord or if they’ve been called into ministry service), followed by either, “But it’s all old people, right?” (It’s not, actually, but would it be awful if it was?) or, “But that’s only when you get a lot of out-of-town visitors?” (Implying that I’m not giving a realistic average but claiming a fluke attendance number).

I have to admit, a couple of the people who’ve made the respective statements realised how it came out—after I gave them an inadvertent look (I’ve always struggled to hide my surprise at awkward or shocking things).  Most, however, seemed completely oblivious to the snobbery that seems to have pervaded Christian ministry today. » Read the rest of this entry «

A few weeks ago I realised it had been a long time since hearing from one of my best friends back in the States, so I dropped an email to check in, asking to chat sometime.  I hadn’t heard back so the other day I rang and left a message: let’s chat when you have a moment.  Finally I got a quick email back that said: “Been busy, got lots update you on, but I’ve been keeping up with you on Facebook.  Glad to see you got to go to that wedding…” and so followed a list of what I’ve been doing the last few months.  That’s nice, except for one thing.

I’m not on Facebook. » Read the rest of this entry «

Have we missionaries lost our “Chariots of Fire”? An article in the Wall Street Journal seems to think so. (HT: The Search)

Though it’s not Christian in focus, Godin’s post on “Resilience and the Power of Slow Change” is so important for missions ministry (well, for any Christian ministry, really).

Wrecked For the Ordinary debates whether we need a missions moratorium.

The Upstream Collective recently had a series of posts on what a sending church is and how the relationship is important to the missionary.  And this month they listed more ideas on how to better help missionaries in the field.

I love the honesty of little kids…here’s a list of furlough faux pas from a Third-Culture four-year-old

And finally, I’ve added a few new blogs to my “Missionary Blogs Like Us” blogroll (HT: Missions Misunderstood):

Jamie the Very Worst Missionary

El Chupacabra Writes a Blog

Today I Choose…The Blog of the Reluctant Missionary