Some Thoughts about Missions and BLJ

On Saturday, during the men’s missions emphasis breakfast, I had the opportunity to hear Dr. Darrell Whiteman, VP of Mission Education and resident missiologist for The Mission Society speak passionately of the changing Christian world--North America in decline and becoming increasing pluralistic while in the continents of Africa and South American, parts of Asia, especially China, millions are hearing the good news message of Jesus and responding. Whiteman cited the example of China where in 1949 there were 1.5 million Christ-followers and today some believe there are more than 130 million; in less than 30 years or so up to 600 million Africans would claim Christianity as their faith.

He said, “no longer was the saying one more Christian, one less Chinese” was relevant. The Chinese had learned that they could retain their culture and heritage and become a follower of Christ.” And so, according to Whiteman, it goes around the world; no longer did anyone have to abandon “themselves” to become a Christian or emulate the “Western Missionaries.” Can I hear an AMEN; we rejoice in what is happening throughout the world! Good news indeed.

As I heard Whiteman’s passionate voice and saw us nodding in agreement that no longer “one more Christian, one less Chinese” was relevant, I began to muse about my conversation just that morning with a missionary at the same breakfast. We talked about TWUMC and, in particular, The Loft, which he had visited and what we are doing to reach those disconnected from the God and the Church or at least the unattached----particularly the post-modern generation.

Although gracious about our mission, I could tell he was reluctant; the missionary asked me, “Do you celebrate the sacraments?” “Of course we do, I said.” What I was really thinking irreverently was… yea, and tomorrow we would even have a choice between grape juice and wine; what about you?

Of course, I do understand his meaning that we must not dilute the Gospel message, honor tradition, and uphold the core doctrines of our faith, but no wonder we are losing the battle here---in The Woodlands, Texas and throughout North America, when many of us think, at least in part, that we must “abandon ourselves” to become a Christian---“one less Chinese and one more Christian.”

This I Believe

The field is ripe for us to share the gospel here in The Woodlands and wherever God places us. I’m thankful for the post-modern expressions of churches springing up and multiplying---the Mars Hills, Mosaic, Donald Miller’s Imago- Dei and so many others…and TWUMC’s The Loft. We no longer have to become one less “Chinese” to become a Christ-follower.

One of the really cool things I like about Blue Like Jazz is that it gets me to think….to muse. Once Miller became part of his faith community (Imago-Dei) and experienced the unconditional love of an authentic biblical community he could relate to and following the precepts of Jesus, he began to love Republicans, NRA, fundamentalists, anti-environmentalists, Bible thumpers, and the Church in all its expressions. He, for the first time, began to see all the “Chinese”--- those were foreign to him--- truly as brothers and sisters in Christ.

We are truly thankful for those called to the foreign mission field; let’s continue to support and pray for them and share in their part of the world when and how we can. However, there is much work to be done in our corner of the world---right here at 1-45 and The Woodlands Parkway.  We are blessed at TWUMC as we get it; we can be Christian and our Worship expression can be different.

How about you? What are your thoughts about becoming and being a “real Christian?” So, our journey continues…Selah

Grace ,

Bob