Table Of Contents:
- Missions conferences – a waste of time? (1)
- Missions conferences – a waste of time? (2)
- Missions conferences – a waste of time? (3)
- Missions conferences – a waste of time? (4)
Several years ago I decided to stop speaking at missions conferences because I believed that they were a waste of everyone’s time.
However, a few months ago I was invited to speak at a missions’ conference at a Filipino church and accepted the invitation. At that time, I wasn’t exactly sure why I accepted the invitation – maybe it was because I had other meetings to attend to at that same time in the Philippines, or maybe it was because I hadn’t seen some good friends there for over 10 years. Today, I believe the Holy Spirit led me to attend the conference because he wanted to open my eyes to the “typical” attitude of our churches to missions.
First let me explain why I believe that missions’ conferences are a waste of everybody’s time. Traditionally, many churches have allocated a “missions’ month” or a “missions’ conference” into the yearly church calendar. This has become such a part of traditional church life (or “churchianity”) that few ask themselves if these “missions” events have really resulted in an increase in real missions in their churches.
For many churches, not a single missionary has been sent forth from their midst in spite of many years of missions’ events. Maybe there was a little temporary excitement about missions and missionaries, or maybe a little more funds were raised for “their missionaries” (most of “their” missionaries are “strangers” from other churches whom they support financially) – but is this really “missions”?
I believe this is Satan’s substitute for real missions – which is clearly described in Matthew 28:19,20 (“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations……”).
The critical shortage is in the lack of laborers (Matthew 9:37 “the laborers are few”).
The starting point is not another missions’ conference or more funds but sincere prayer for laborers to be sent forth (Matthew 9:38 “Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest’)
I’ve attended too many missions’ conferences to count and seen too many missions’ exhibits and heard too many missions’ related sermons but I’ve hardly heard true heartfelt prayers for laborers to be sent forth from the churches that organize these missions’ events!!
A few weeks ago, a co-worker of mine who is married to a Korean Christian worker told me something interesting. She said “Korean missionaries unite around the Gospel but we bring our differences to the mission field and fight over them!”
Koreans are basically a strong militant race. They do not shun a fight. The Korean Christian population is also clearly divided into conservative Presbyterians and exuberant Charismatics. In… Read More....
Going back to the Philippines for winter break is something I truly looked forward to. After a not so normal Christmas and New Year/birthday celebration in China, I was more than ready to hibernate and enjoy the sun in my home country alone. But as usual, plans change every minute. As Hudson Taylor said, “ Man proposes, God disposes.” Being at the center of His will though is still the… Read More.... | 1 Comment
Loh, in his 50s, was demoted from Managing Director’s personal chauffeur to a dispatch. He was disgruntled, bitter and never looked you in his eyes when he talked to you. Of course, he never returned any greetings. He was rejected by many departments, and finally ended up in ours, not by choice, ours nor his. We were supposed to be a very friendly department handling public and employee relations, but… Read More.... | 1 Comment
I pray that our staff member will not quit because of what he has experienced. I know for sure he won’t, because he is God’s army of faithful servants.
Wow ! that hit the nail. A year back in a mission conference in Singapore (Go forth) I knew what he wanted me to do. His call was clear . After that, the days I prayed for laborers and the lost I experienced being useful as well God sending to others to meet the need. But most of the time when I tried my stunts it was a loud noise, wastage of resources, misunderstandings, hurt and no use. I agree missions start and continue with true heartfelt prayers. I commit my self to it today.
Moved by the word !
RP