Comments on: The Role of the American Church in World Missions http://sbcimpact.org/2007/09/08/the-role-of-the-american-church-in-world-missions/ life :: theology :: church :: ministry :: missions :: worship Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:40:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Strider http://sbcimpact.org/2007/09/08/the-role-of-the-american-church-in-world-missions/#comment-1911 Strider Mon, 26 Nov 2007 17:38:09 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2007/09/08/the-role-of-the-american-church-in-world-missions/#comment-1911 Yep, From America, Equador, Korea, Switzerland, Australia, and South Africa- all present at our team meeting yesterday. Pretty cool huh? Yep, From America, Equador, Korea, Switzerland, Australia, and South Africa- all present at our team meeting yesterday. Pretty cool huh?

]]> By: David Rogers http://sbcimpact.org/2007/09/08/the-role-of-the-american-church-in-world-missions/#comment-1910 David Rogers Mon, 26 Nov 2007 12:32:17 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2007/09/08/the-role-of-the-american-church-in-world-missions/#comment-1910 Strider, From all six continents at the same time? Wow! You are getting a taste of what it's going to be like in heaven!... "from every nation, tribe, people and language." Strider,

From all six continents at the same time? Wow! You are getting a taste of what it’s going to be like in heaven!… “from every nation, tribe, people and language.”

]]> By: Strider http://sbcimpact.org/2007/09/08/the-role-of-the-american-church-in-world-missions/#comment-1909 Strider Mon, 26 Nov 2007 05:43:23 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2007/09/08/the-role-of-the-american-church-in-world-missions/#comment-1909 Great Post David, humility is indeed the key. Yes, we Americans do have an important role but God's plan for us is God-size and will require a world-wide effort. Someone on our team just pointed out the other day that we have people from all six inhabited continents on our team working together here. Wow! What a privilege to be able to work with men and women from such vastly different backrounds and experiences all totally committed to serving Jesus. We are blessed to be able to work together. I am confident that if we will see the Kingdom expand in our lifetime then we will see much more cooperation like this. Great Post David, humility is indeed the key.
Yes, we Americans do have an important role but God’s plan for us is God-size and will require a world-wide effort. Someone on our team just pointed out the other day that we have people from all six inhabited continents on our team working together here. Wow! What a privilege to be able to work with men and women from such vastly different backrounds and experiences all totally committed to serving Jesus. We are blessed to be able to work together. I am confident that if we will see the Kingdom expand in our lifetime then we will see much more cooperation like this.

]]> By: David Rogers http://sbcimpact.org/2007/09/08/the-role-of-the-american-church-in-world-missions/#comment-1908 David Rogers Sun, 25 Nov 2007 23:00:02 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2007/09/08/the-role-of-the-american-church-in-world-missions/#comment-1908 Alan, Thanks for checking in! Yes, indeed, it seems we are drinking from the same stream. We even quoted from the same book (Philip Jenkins). I am grateful there are pastors like you in the States who are thinking so deeply about missions, and are so committed to following through with their thoughts. Blessings, David Alan,

Thanks for checking in! Yes, indeed, it seems we are drinking from the same stream. We even quoted from the same book (Philip Jenkins). I am grateful there are pastors like you in the States who are thinking so deeply about missions, and are so committed to following through with their thoughts.

Blessings,

David

]]> By: Alan Cross http://sbcimpact.org/2007/09/08/the-role-of-the-american-church-in-world-missions/#comment-1907 Alan Cross Sun, 25 Nov 2007 22:39:39 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2007/09/08/the-role-of-the-american-church-in-world-missions/#comment-1907 Outstanding, David. This is exactly what I was saying in my recent posts on this. Thank you for articulating this view. It seems that we agree yet again and just had to dialogue a bit to understand one another. You are a blessing! Outstanding, David. This is exactly what I was saying in my recent posts on this. Thank you for articulating this view. It seems that we agree yet again and just had to dialogue a bit to understand one another. You are a blessing!

]]> By: David Rogers http://sbcimpact.org/2007/09/08/the-role-of-the-american-church-in-world-missions/#comment-1906 David Rogers Sun, 09 Sep 2007 02:40:52 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2007/09/08/the-role-of-the-american-church-in-world-missions/#comment-1906 Doug, It is encouraging to see more and more people throughout the States, and the SBC, catch this vision. Thanks for your support! Geoff, You ask some very good and complex questions. There is definitely not one correct answer for all of the varied situations around the world. In general, however, there are, no doubt, tensions in many places where we, as outsiders (whether American, Southern Baptists, or otherwise), are being forced to adopt new roles. As far as "Baptist isolationism" is concerned, first you have the relationship of the various Baptist Unions and Conventions to other Evangelicals in their respective countries. This varies from country to country, and even from church to church within different Unions and Conventions. Also, there are other groups and denominations that can be just as "isolationist," if not more so, than Baptists. As far as our relationship as Southern Baptists with other Baptists around the world, we suffered a loss of credibility, in the eyes of many, when we withdrew from the Baptist World Alliance. This also varies a bit from country to country. Also, in the way New Directions, and the emphasis on Church Planting Movements, have been applied in some parts of the world, we have effectively distanced ourselves from previous close working relationships with many Baptist Unions. We would be less than honest to say there have not been some hurt feelings. On another plane, very few Baptists around the world have much sympathy at all for Landmarkism (if they even have a clue what it is all about), or for the strict views on PPL, etc. Most are a good bit more open on these issues than we are, presently, in the SBC. Once again, there are exceptions to this, in some places, as well. Finally, under the leadership of Dr. Rankin, the IMB has made some wonderful strides forward in relation to working more closely and openly with other so-called Great Commission Christian Groups (or GCCs). The foreboding cloud on the horizon of being forced to take a step back, in this regard, has much potential for causing hurt feelings, and offending many sincere and simple servants of the Lord around the world who don't know the first thing about denominational politics. At the same time, there are many humble servants of the Lord, both among IMB career workers, as well as other Southern Baptists who relate to believers in other countries through various short-term projects and partnerships. These type of people are almost always received with gratitude and open arms. Doug,

It is encouraging to see more and more people throughout the States, and the SBC, catch this vision. Thanks for your support!

Geoff,

You ask some very good and complex questions. There is definitely not one correct answer for all of the varied situations around the world.

In general, however, there are, no doubt, tensions in many places where we, as outsiders (whether American, Southern Baptists, or otherwise), are being forced to adopt new roles.

As far as “Baptist isolationism” is concerned, first you have the relationship of the various Baptist Unions and Conventions to other Evangelicals in their respective countries. This varies from country to country, and even from church to church within different Unions and Conventions. Also, there are other groups and denominations that can be just as “isolationist,” if not more so, than Baptists.

As far as our relationship as Southern Baptists with other Baptists around the world, we suffered a loss of credibility, in the eyes of many, when we withdrew from the Baptist World Alliance. This also varies a bit from country to country. Also, in the way New Directions, and the emphasis on Church Planting Movements, have been applied in some parts of the world, we have effectively distanced ourselves from previous close working relationships with many Baptist Unions. We would be less than honest to say there have not been some hurt feelings.

On another plane, very few Baptists around the world have much sympathy at all for Landmarkism (if they even have a clue what it is all about), or for the strict views on PPL, etc. Most are a good bit more open on these issues than we are, presently, in the SBC. Once again, there are exceptions to this, in some places, as well.

Finally, under the leadership of Dr. Rankin, the IMB has made some wonderful strides forward in relation to working more closely and openly with other so-called Great Commission Christian Groups (or GCCs). The foreboding cloud on the horizon of being forced to take a step back, in this regard, has much potential for causing hurt feelings, and offending many sincere and simple servants of the Lord around the world who don’t know the first thing about denominational politics.

At the same time, there are many humble servants of the Lord, both among IMB career workers, as well as other Southern Baptists who relate to believers in other countries through various short-term projects and partnerships. These type of people are almost always received with gratitude and open arms.

]]> By: Geoff Baggett http://sbcimpact.org/2007/09/08/the-role-of-the-american-church-in-world-missions/#comment-1905 Geoff Baggett Sun, 09 Sep 2007 01:29:55 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2007/09/08/the-role-of-the-american-church-in-world-missions/#comment-1905 David, Your discussion of the incredible works of God around the globe, including the missionary efforts of other nations and peoples, as well as your call to humility, have deeply moved me. I think that we, as Southern Baptists, need to be reminded (often) that we do not have a "corner" on the "missions market." We are not the only people that God is using to reach people worldwide. I often wonder how our perceived Baptist "isolationism" sits with the rest of the Christian world. Does our strict Baptist identity sometimes come across as less than humble overseas? Just wondering. How is the SBC perceived in this regard on other shores? David,

Your discussion of the incredible works of God around the globe, including the missionary efforts of other nations and peoples, as well as your call to humility, have deeply moved me.

I think that we, as Southern Baptists, need to be reminded (often) that we do not have a “corner” on the “missions market.” We are not the only people that God is using to reach people worldwide.

I often wonder how our perceived Baptist “isolationism” sits with the rest of the Christian world. Does our strict Baptist identity sometimes come across as less than humble overseas? Just wondering. How is the SBC perceived in this regard on other shores?

]]> By: doug munton http://sbcimpact.org/2007/09/08/the-role-of-the-american-church-in-world-missions/#comment-1904 doug munton Sat, 08 Sep 2007 14:34:51 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2007/09/08/the-role-of-the-american-church-in-world-missions/#comment-1904 My first international mission trip just over 12 years ago changed my thinking. It gave me greater appreciation for our career missionaries and greater love for my brothers and sisters of different nations. You also rightly noted our need for "humility and servanthood". I have much to be humble about and need to grow in my servant spirit. I'm grateful for the role the American church has played in missions and pray we will not let go of the ropes. My first international mission trip just over 12 years ago changed my thinking. It gave me greater appreciation for our career missionaries and greater love for my brothers and sisters of different nations. You also rightly noted our need for “humility and servanthood”. I have much to be humble about and need to grow in my servant spirit. I’m grateful for the role the American church has played in missions and pray we will not let go of the ropes.

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