Empire Building or Planting?

As many volunteers will be joining us in our team efforts this May through July, some thought might be given to “success measurement”. Culturally, we may be conditioned to consider success as “bigger & better”. Two hundred years ago, this way of understanding success would be referred to as “empire building”. New Testament empire building images usually relate to the in-breaking of the Kingdom of God into the principality of Satan. And certainly in this case, bigger is definitely better. But notice in Jesus’ metaphors… in regards to church growth, spiritual maturity, and well-being, there is an absence of empire building imagery. Rather, He uses imagery of planting, healing, & husbandry. These images depend on indigenous principles and sustainable practices. Thus, “bigger” – if not sustainable – is not better; …and “better” – if not capable of growing naturally in the environment – is not even workable. Perhaps a better benchmark for success in these areas would be “what I leave behind that is healthier than when I came”. As the Good News is for all, so churches and the redeemed individuals that make up those churches must be able to experience this kind of “good health” in indigenous and sustainable ways.

“That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.”

Psalms 67:2 KJV

Pondering what is truly “best” in this environment,

Brian, Sondra, Noah, & Bryson

MISSIONARY JOURNEY: Joyful & Tired

Today we held our 2nd annual, chieftaincy wide “Back to the Bible” Restoration Seminar. This year’s topics concerned “God’s power versus the demonic powers” and “How to be in Christ: the safe place”. We had no idea how many would come as the numbers were so low during the recent ecumenical prayer meeting that was called by the Chief on behalf of a nearby village afflicted with evil spirits… only 9 were in attendance. Nonetheless, Chief Mumena arranged his schedule to be one of our guest speakers and 150 showed up!

“…that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

2 Corinthians 2:11 ASV

Joyful and tired,

Brian, Sondra, Noah, and Bryson

Pictured: left – Chief Mumena pleading for Christ; right – his subjects considering the words of the Bible.