Comments on: “I Can’t Call You a Missionary”—ouch http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/i-cant-call-you-a-missionary%e2%80%94ouch Life at the Intersection of Culture and Christianity Wed, 21 Jul 2010 15:40:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Greg in Mexico http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/i-cant-call-you-a-missionary%e2%80%94ouch/comment-page-1#comment-1201 Greg in Mexico Sun, 17 May 2009 04:19:27 +0000 http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/?p=294#comment-1201 Wow Mick - I'd like to hear more of your perspective! Wow Mick – I’d like to hear more of your perspective!

]]> By: Michael L http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/i-cant-call-you-a-missionary%e2%80%94ouch/comment-page-1#comment-1159 Michael L Fri, 15 May 2009 21:01:27 +0000 http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/?p=294#comment-1159 C.Holland, I just came across you blog from iMonk and the title was just tremendously intriguing. I am from Western Europe (Belgium) originally, though living in Dallas now. I am an ex-Roman Catholic, who has a new found faith in the Lord, although I am now a member in a non-denominational Bible Church. From someone who has lived there for more than 30 years, still has all his family there and who is fortunate enough to go back quite regularly, I think I have some understanding and perhaps even authority in the matter. In addition I have done work in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe, so I think I can somewhat make a comparison between the different continents. Western Europe is probably the most difficult missions field there is today. God Bless you and your ministry. I think I have someone to add to my prayer list ;-) PS: I'd be interested to know where you are, so feel free to send me an off-line e-mail. I'm coming over in late July / August. Depending where you're at, I'd be willing to bring you some smaller items if you need any. In Him Mick C.Holland,

I just came across you blog from iMonk and the title was just tremendously intriguing. I am from Western Europe (Belgium) originally, though living in Dallas now.

I am an ex-Roman Catholic, who has a new found faith in the Lord, although I am now a member in a non-denominational Bible Church.

From someone who has lived there for more than 30 years, still has all his family there and who is fortunate enough to go back quite regularly, I think I have some understanding and perhaps even authority in the matter. In addition I have done work in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe, so I think I can somewhat make a comparison between the different continents.

Western Europe is probably the most difficult missions field there is today.

God Bless you and your ministry.
I think I have someone to add to my prayer list ;-)

PS: I’d be interested to know where you are, so feel free to send me an off-line e-mail. I’m coming over in late July / August. Depending where you’re at, I’d be willing to bring you some smaller items if you need any.

In Him
Mick

]]> By: C. Holland http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/i-cant-call-you-a-missionary%e2%80%94ouch/comment-page-1#comment-715 C. Holland Sat, 02 May 2009 21:04:44 +0000 http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/?p=294#comment-715 Hi Alexa, we're definitely on the same page. I remember telling a fellow Christian (a few years ago in the States) that I viewed my workplace as a "mission field." My thought was that, even though I was American like the rest of my co-workers, there were 14 people that I had direct contact with for 8 hours a day that did not know Christ--and desperately needed Him. My friend thought I was nuts, but honestly, my co-workers' lifestyles and troubles were as foreign to me then as my current surroundings as a missionary in another country and culture. And as the only Christian in the group, I had the same "great commission" calling that anyone else has, whether they be pastor or missionary or lay Christian. Sometimes I think people like to differentiate between missionaries and lay people because it makes them feel like they're "off the hook", not responsible to bring the Gospel in a loving way to others. We're all part of the Body, and our purpose is to enlarge God's Kingdom, no matter what our differences are. It's just like our physical body parts ultimately function to allow us to live, despite being so different to each other. Hi Alexa, we’re definitely on the same page. I remember telling a fellow Christian (a few years ago in the States) that I viewed my workplace as a “mission field.” My thought was that, even though I was American like the rest of my co-workers, there were 14 people that I had direct contact with for 8 hours a day that did not know Christ–and desperately needed Him.

My friend thought I was nuts, but honestly, my co-workers’ lifestyles and troubles were as foreign to me then as my current surroundings as a missionary in another country and culture. And as the only Christian in the group, I had the same “great commission” calling that anyone else has, whether they be pastor or missionary or lay Christian.

Sometimes I think people like to differentiate between missionaries and lay people because it makes them feel like they’re “off the hook”, not responsible to bring the Gospel in a loving way to others. We’re all part of the Body, and our purpose is to enlarge God’s Kingdom, no matter what our differences are. It’s just like our physical body parts ultimately function to allow us to live, despite being so different to each other.

]]> By: Alexa Knigh http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/i-cant-call-you-a-missionary%e2%80%94ouch/comment-page-1#comment-694 Alexa Knigh Sat, 02 May 2009 03:23:46 +0000 http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/?p=294#comment-694 It is always interesting to me to have such a differentiation between missions and "lay" persons. We are all called to be a witness, to do what God has called to do, to bring God glory. It can be harder to remain true to God's word on a day to day basis in the business world, but God needs men and women willing to make stands for Him there just as well as in deep remote villages! It is always interesting to me to have such a differentiation between missions and “lay” persons. We are all called to be a witness, to do what God has called to do, to bring God glory. It can be harder to remain true to God’s word on a day to day basis in the business world, but God needs men and women willing to make stands for Him there just as well as in deep remote villages!

]]> By: C. Holland http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/i-cant-call-you-a-missionary%e2%80%94ouch/comment-page-1#comment-678 C. Holland Thu, 30 Apr 2009 18:02:24 +0000 http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/?p=294#comment-678 Hi Sonelta, I definitely agree with you! Funny thing is, our surrounding neighbours actually live at even a higher standard than we do, from larger homes and property to brand-new cars. I love exactly what we have and wouldn't feel comfortable with more, but during her whirlwind visit our supporter wouldn't recognise the difference as the American socio-economic indicators are different than here. And I agree that a modest level of comfort isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's okay for a Christian businessman to have a nice view, but not those in the ministry? Many churches in the States wouldn't have a problem with their pastor living the equivalent of how we live. Hi Sonelta, I definitely agree with you! Funny thing is, our surrounding neighbours actually live at even a higher standard than we do, from larger homes and property to brand-new cars. I love exactly what we have and wouldn’t feel comfortable with more, but during her whirlwind visit our supporter wouldn’t recognise the difference as the American socio-economic indicators are different than here.

And I agree that a modest level of comfort isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It’s okay for a Christian businessman to have a nice view, but not those in the ministry? Many churches in the States wouldn’t have a problem with their pastor living the equivalent of how we live.

]]> By: Sonelta http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/i-cant-call-you-a-missionary%e2%80%94ouch/comment-page-1#comment-673 Sonelta Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:58:42 +0000 http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/?p=294#comment-673 Thanks for this post. I have had similar experience and believe you are correct in suggesting that there may need to be a reconsideration/eduction on what a missionary is today. I think different cultures and different generations require different approaches. I once remember hearing somewhere that as missionaries we should not live "above" our surrounding neighbours - for example, if you lived in an area where majority of people lived in huts in villages, you should consider not living in a 4 bed house with all amenities... If living and ministering in W.europe then why not live with the amenities that other neighbouring western europeans have an expect?! I guess it brings us back to how you define a missionary? What qualifies as missions and what does not? And does what type of house you live in matter? I think many forget the extra pressures and commitments of missionaries such as being 24/7 on the job at times. It may be necessary for their general well-being to have a nice place to come back to that is refreshing so you can actually do the work God has called you to? Thanks for this post. I have had similar experience and believe you are correct in suggesting that there may need to be a reconsideration/eduction on what a missionary is today. I think different cultures and different generations require different approaches. I once remember hearing somewhere that as missionaries we should not live “above” our surrounding neighbours – for example, if you lived in an area where majority of people lived in huts in villages, you should consider not living in a 4 bed house with all amenities… If living and ministering in W.europe then why not live with the amenities that other neighbouring western europeans have an expect?! I guess it brings us back to how you define a missionary? What qualifies as missions and what does not? And does what type of house you live in matter? I think many forget the extra pressures and commitments of missionaries such as being 24/7 on the job at times. It may be necessary for their general well-being to have a nice place to come back to that is refreshing so you can actually do the work God has called you to?

]]> By: Aaron R. http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/i-cant-call-you-a-missionary%e2%80%94ouch/comment-page-1#comment-656 Aaron R. Tue, 28 Apr 2009 05:23:55 +0000 http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/?p=294#comment-656 How frustrating. God bless. How frustrating.

God bless.

]]> By: “I Can’t Call You a Missionary”—ouch : The Daily Scroll http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/i-cant-call-you-a-missionary%e2%80%94ouch/comment-page-1#comment-654 “I Can’t Call You a Missionary”—ouch : The Daily Scroll Mon, 27 Apr 2009 20:15:19 +0000 http://www.missionaryconfidential.com/?p=294#comment-654 [...] “I Can’t Call You a Missionary”—ouch April 27, 2009 By Missionary Confidential [...] [...] “I Can’t Call You a Missionary”—ouch April 27, 2009 By Missionary Confidential [...]

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