Comments on: Missions and Family http://sbcimpact.org/2008/01/03/missions-and-family/ life :: theology :: church :: ministry :: missions :: worship Tue, 06 Dec 2011 17:40:05 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Investing in Eternity | sbc IMPACT! http://sbcimpact.org/2008/01/03/missions-and-family/#comment-2108 Investing in Eternity | sbc IMPACT! Wed, 15 Oct 2008 06:18:08 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2008/01/03/missions-and-family/#comment-2108 [...] stages of life, the needs of our families are different. At times, (as I wrote about earlier here), there is an inherent tension between investing in eternity overseas on the mission field, and [...] [...] stages of life, the needs of our families are different. At times, (as I wrote about earlier here), there is an inherent tension between investing in eternity overseas on the mission field, and [...]

]]> By: Bryan Riley http://sbcimpact.org/2008/01/03/missions-and-family/#comment-2107 Bryan Riley Wed, 09 Jan 2008 02:10:13 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2008/01/03/missions-and-family/#comment-2107 I think it is a matter of God's call on your life. I have heard clearly a call to go on mission as a family and to help mobilize other families as well. As they say about families who pray together, I believe that families who go on mission together stay together. I think it is a matter of God’s call on your life. I have heard clearly a call to go on mission as a family and to help mobilize other families as well. As they say about families who pray together, I believe that families who go on mission together stay together.

]]> By: David Rogers http://sbcimpact.org/2008/01/03/missions-and-family/#comment-2106 David Rogers Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:57:54 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2008/01/03/missions-and-family/#comment-2106 Russell, I appreciate the field-tested testimony of obedience and God's faithfulness you share here. What you say about the Asian churches is very interesting as well as reason for concern. It has been interesting in my experience with the Adrian Rogers Pastor Training Institute in India (as well as the testimony of my brother's experience in Kenya), to observe that the message that has seemed to make the most impact, and be received as the most revolutionary, is the one on priority of family in the ministry. This seems to be a novel concept for many, if not most, in that part of the world. It does indeed seem like corners we cut in missions in order to make an immediate impact come back to bite us in the foot later. Russell,

I appreciate the field-tested testimony of obedience and God’s faithfulness you share here.

What you say about the Asian churches is very interesting as well as reason for concern. It has been interesting in my experience with the Adrian Rogers Pastor Training Institute in India (as well as the testimony of my brother’s experience in Kenya), to observe that the message that has seemed to make the most impact, and be received as the most revolutionary, is the one on priority of family in the ministry. This seems to be a novel concept for many, if not most, in that part of the world. It does indeed seem like corners we cut in missions in order to make an immediate impact come back to bite us in the foot later.

]]> By: Russell http://sbcimpact.org/2008/01/03/missions-and-family/#comment-2105 Russell Sun, 06 Jan 2008 09:24:04 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2008/01/03/missions-and-family/#comment-2105 Well stated, David. DT 6:4-9 Love God and teach your kids to do the same. Jesus validates it as supremely important. When we do MT 28:18-20 what do we teach people? We teach them DT 6:4-9 as early as possible since Jesus said it was supremely important. There are times when we teach our childrent to love the Lord through courageous sacrifice but the burden of clarity is extraodinarily high. If my kids would have died when we lived in a remote village setting I believe I could have prayed like Job. God had called us there and we would take the good and the bad. If I now take them somewhere on a whim, even the US, and do so without a clear calling, I don't know how I would respond to tragedy. Probably with guilt. The tragedy that Geoff shared illustrates the idea. Our lives are a vapor. We do not know how things will end or when. All we can do is be faithful and be at peace when we tend to those under our charge with all wisdom and prudence. As an aside, there has been a surge of a problem in some Asian churches because the call to ministry (to others) is usurping the call to family (though they should be a primary ministry). Second and third generation believers struggle to see what's so good about the Good News when it is proportionally directed at others far away so much more than to them. Well stated, David.
DT 6:4-9 Love God and teach your kids to do the same. Jesus validates it as supremely important.
When we do MT 28:18-20 what do we teach people? We teach them DT 6:4-9 as early as possible since Jesus said it was supremely important. There are times when we teach our childrent to love the Lord through courageous sacrifice but the burden of clarity is extraodinarily high. If my kids would have died when we lived in a remote village setting I believe I could have prayed like Job. God had called us there and we would take the good and the bad. If I now take them somewhere on a whim, even the US, and do so without a clear calling, I don’t know how I would respond to tragedy. Probably with guilt.
The tragedy that Geoff shared illustrates the idea. Our lives are a vapor. We do not know how things will end or when. All we can do is be faithful and be at peace when we tend to those under our charge with all wisdom and prudence.

As an aside, there has been a surge of a problem in some Asian churches because the call to ministry (to others) is usurping the call to family (though they should be a primary ministry). Second and third generation believers struggle to see what’s so good about the Good News when it is proportionally directed at others far away so much more than to them.

]]> By: David Rogers http://sbcimpact.org/2008/01/03/missions-and-family/#comment-2104 David Rogers Sat, 05 Jan 2008 13:23:31 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2008/01/03/missions-and-family/#comment-2104 C.P., Psalm 127:3-4 says: "Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth." I'm with you. I want every opportunity to mold my children myself before "shooting them out" into the world. I hope God will lead you to just the right assignment where you can make the biggest impact, both on the lost world, as well as on the little "arrows" you are raising up. C.P.,

Psalm 127:3-4 says: “Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth.”

I’m with you. I want every opportunity to mold my children myself before “shooting them out” into the world. I hope God will lead you to just the right assignment where you can make the biggest impact, both on the lost world, as well as on the little “arrows” you are raising up.

]]> By: C. P. http://sbcimpact.org/2008/01/03/missions-and-family/#comment-2103 C. P. Sat, 05 Jan 2008 02:23:12 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2008/01/03/missions-and-family/#comment-2103 Thank you for this post. My family and I are planning to be on the mission field by fall of 2008. My husband and I have looked at many opportunities and one of the priorities, besides the obvious call of God, was to find a place where our kids could adapt. Hearing that you put your family as a priority in missions is very encouraging. I seldom hear people speak from this perspective. I don't criticize anyone from missionary families who send their kids to boarding schools, but I for one could not do it. God gave me those kids for a reason, and I will raise them as He directs me. Thank you for this post. My family and I are planning to be on the mission field by fall of 2008. My husband and I have looked at many opportunities and one of the priorities, besides the obvious call of God, was to find a place where our kids could adapt. Hearing that you put your family as a priority in missions is very encouraging. I seldom hear people speak from this perspective. I don’t criticize anyone from missionary families who send their kids to boarding schools, but I for one could not do it. God gave me those kids for a reason, and I will raise them as He directs me.

]]> By: David Rogers http://sbcimpact.org/2008/01/03/missions-and-family/#comment-2102 David Rogers Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:09:30 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2008/01/03/missions-and-family/#comment-2102 SelahV, I believe the enemy attacks the families of those of us in ministry in a special way. I also believe the prayers of God's people do much to counteract the attacks of the enemy. Thank you for praying for missionaries in the way you have described, and teaching others to do so as well. SelahV,

I believe the enemy attacks the families of those of us in ministry in a special way. I also believe the prayers of God’s people do much to counteract the attacks of the enemy. Thank you for praying for missionaries in the way you have described, and teaching others to do so as well.

]]> By: SelahV http://sbcimpact.org/2008/01/03/missions-and-family/#comment-2101 SelahV Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:52:24 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2008/01/03/missions-and-family/#comment-2101 David, thanks for focusing on the needs of families in ministry. One of the things I tried to do through the years when I prayed for missionaries (and when I taught others how to pray for them) was to consider myself and my struggles and my needs at the moment. Then I would pray for their needs just like I did my own. Missionaries and ministers are people. They hurt, they get tired, they get lonely, they get sick, and they get weary and sometimes discouraged. It's especially good to ask God to give them a miracle in their lives to increase their faith. I'll never forget Mr. and Mrs. Fudge. I cannot remember where they were serving as missionaries anymore, but every night my little girl would pray for them and their family by name. She did that for years. Ministry isn't for the faint of heart. The solitude of service in the midst of a larger congregation can be just as daunting as the solitude found in the outer recesses of various places. Each of us can pray for one another for the very things we need ourselves on any particular day and I'm sure we will not pray amiss. God bless you and your precious family. selahV David, thanks for focusing on the needs of families in ministry. One of the things I tried to do through the years when I prayed for missionaries (and when I taught others how to pray for them) was to consider myself and my struggles and my needs at the moment. Then I would pray for their needs just like I did my own. Missionaries and ministers are people. They hurt, they get tired, they get lonely, they get sick, and they get weary and sometimes discouraged. It’s especially good to ask God to give them a miracle in their lives to increase their faith.

I’ll never forget Mr. and Mrs. Fudge. I cannot remember where they were serving as missionaries anymore, but every night my little girl would pray for them and their family by name. She did that for years.

Ministry isn’t for the faint of heart. The solitude of service in the midst of a larger congregation can be just as daunting as the solitude found in the outer recesses of various places. Each of us can pray for one another for the very things we need ourselves on any particular day and I’m sure we will not pray amiss. God bless you and your precious family. selahV

]]> By: Roger Ferrell http://sbcimpact.org/2008/01/03/missions-and-family/#comment-2100 Roger Ferrell Fri, 04 Jan 2008 03:03:57 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2008/01/03/missions-and-family/#comment-2100 Cyle, Man, we have much in common: the homeschooling, the parsonage, and the home group. I just have not been doing those things as long as you have, only 2 years. I am praying that as we continue in these patterns, they will bless my family and draw my kids closer to Jesus. I, too, am scheduled for a month-long sabbatical this year. I am hoping that I will be able to take it and like you, that my kids don't complain about being away from home that long! My boys and I had a 3 hour conversation in their bedroom last night about their calling, scripture, and not wasting their lives. It was such a blessing, and I thank God for that time. Cyle,
Man, we have much in common: the homeschooling, the parsonage, and the home group. I just have not been doing those things as long as you have, only 2 years. I am praying that as we continue in these patterns, they will bless my family and draw my kids closer to Jesus.

I, too, am scheduled for a month-long sabbatical this year. I am hoping that I will be able to take it and like you, that my kids don’t complain about being away from home that long!

My boys and I had a 3 hour conversation in their bedroom last night about their calling, scripture, and not wasting their lives. It was such a blessing, and I thank God for that time.

]]> By: David Rogers http://sbcimpact.org/2008/01/03/missions-and-family/#comment-2099 David Rogers Thu, 03 Jan 2008 23:22:29 +0000 http://www.sbcimpact.net/2008/01/03/missions-and-family/#comment-2099 Cyle, Thanks for sharing the practical lessons God is teaching you. I love the idea of helping your children to feel they are really a part of your ministry, and not separating their Christianity from the rest of their lives. Cyle,

Thanks for sharing the practical lessons God is teaching you. I love the idea of helping your children to feel they are really a part of your ministry, and not separating their Christianity from the rest of their lives.

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