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)
Since many churches have missions’ conferences yearly, they soon run out of speakers to invite to their conferences. As a result they invite a pastor from another church to be their missions’ conference speaker. He usually preaches on missions related topics during the duration of the conference. So that at the end of the conference, the congregation is more informed about what the Bible teaches about missions but no one goes to the mission field.
When this takes place yearly, the congregation begins to believe that missions is a topic that Christians should know about rather than a step that Christians should take. Such a church will be contented to be “missions’ minded” rather than “missions’ doing.” The reality is that most churches are proud that they are “missions’ minded” but the Bible teaches us in Romans 10:15 “How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good thing.”
Missions is something that is done with our “feet” not our “minds.”
Neither is missions something that is merely done with our wallets, missions’ giving is no substitute for missions’ sending.
Unless, we are sincerely willing to pray to the Lord of the Harvest to send forth laborers (ourselves included, if God wills), then I believe that it is a waste of time, effort and money to have missions’ conferences!
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Yes, I strongly agree. Because there is no substitue for Mission field unless a person moves his feet and step in to actual Mission Field or work. Probabaly some may think that they are sending money to support missions and they think thats its a substitue in doing actual Mission Field. Supporting Mission work is really fine, but at the same time everyone have to pray for Laborers and if needed we or ourselves should be ready in responding to his word which remids us again and again in heart to do Gods work.
I must say I find this series of articles on Missions Conferences to smack of complaining, generalizing and frustration, neither of which are traits of the Spirit-Filled Godly man. I assume you are a man and apologize if I am wrong, “admin” is without gender. I have never attended a missions conference like the ones you described but realize they do happen. I can genuinely say I have attended more than 300. I find that in my lifetime I have seen many called and going and many churches who have their own peolple in the harvest. Perhaps like the ones who messed up the cultures of so many nations you have talked about in other posts.
By using such generalizations and constantly talking about how the west has messed up Asia, I fear you are discouraging to the ones who do go and your extreme statements like “Mission Conferences are a waste of time” strip your credibility. I appreciate this blog, but please, please use some wisdom and accuracy to sustain your credibility! The cause you write about is too important for careless words.
Thanks.
Blanket statements can smother a fire that needs to be squelched or a life that needs to be preserved. The wisdom is in the careful application.
Hi Timothy,
I think you miss read the ADMINs view ! He is just sharing his personal view on some of the conferences he attended.. But he is bringing up a point there thats is important. Thats is what to be noted. Even if there is only one conference in the world which was like that. It is worth noting the point. “Pray Pray Pray”
The conference I attended did some traditional shows too. Some where like demonic (AU & NZ dances) . I did not like it and approve of it. But Yet his call was clear to me. It was not thro the shows. But by his word.
On “West has messed up Asia” yes if you are sharing Christ to most of the asians from non-Christian back ground you will be shocked to see hear to know that is the reality. Best is to share christ and dissociate from west. Else we will be always clarifying and there will be no Christ at all.
Well I am 299 Mission conferences short of the 300 mark. But one call is enough to obey. How can I refuse thinking of why He had to me chose to be His Own.
Cheers !
RP
Timothy, thanks for your feedback. Yes, “Admin” is a man. Firstly, I must admit that I’ve not attended anywhere near as many conferences as you and that my blog expresses just my opinions from my limited experiences. Therefore, all feedback (including yours) is deeply appreciated to balance out my limited experiences and often “one-sided” view of things!
Secondly, my experiences are mostly in Asia and this blog is mostly focused on the problems that we face in Asia. I’ve attended a few Missions’ conferences in the West and they are quite different (mostly preaching without the extras that are found in many Asian Missions’ conferences) from what I’ve described in this series. I did try to emphasize that what I was describing was from an Asian country (Philippines). More accurately, the blog shd hv been titled “Asian Missions’ Conferences that I’ve attended are mostly a waste of time – though not all”
Thirdly, I hv no intention of discouraging anyone (including Westerners) from serving in Asia. This would be totally contradictory to the purpose of this blog. Though I confess that in wanting to prevent another generation from repeating the mistakes that we have made (I’m an old Asian man who learned my lessons mostly from the West) and to keep the blogs to 400-500 words, I often “complain” and “generalize.”
Pl pray for me to useful not destructive.
Again, thanks for your feedback. Pl continue to provide feedback as the Lord leads you! This is needful to balance the views of this blog!!
God bless
Thankyou Timothy for you feedback. I must admit that I’ve not attended anywhere near 300 mission conferences! My blog is limited by my limited experiences. Furthermore my experiences are mostly in a few countries in Asia (and hardly any experience outside Asia). I am NOT an authority, just a blogger expressing my personal opinions in my blog.
And in my limited exposure, I tried my best to describe the “typical” Asian missions conference. (I’ve attended too few mission conferences in the West to make any comment about them.) Furthermore, my blog is written from a Asian perspective and is focussed on Asian problems. I must admit that I’m frustrated bec the little time and resources that we have in Asia are not effectively used for furthering the cause of missions. Also I admit that I do generalize bec I try to express my opinions in the 4-500 words of a blog. I admit that the title of this blog should be more accurately “Many of the missions conferences that I’ve attended in Asian churches in the few Asian countries that I’ve visited are a waste of time.” I sincerely apologize to all those good churches that organize good missions conferences that have been misrepresented by this blog. With your vast experience you will definitely be able to help us in Asia. Would you like to contribute a series on “Organizing a good missions conference in Asia”? I will gladly publish the series. Thanks again for your feedback.