Yesterday we were missing our band, so we used the old hymnals and just keyboard. It went okay. I was suprised we had as many people as we did, since so many people were gone on spring break. Carrie & Isaac are in Florida. Hope they're having fun. It was weird not having them around.
What was weirder yesterday though... and I probably shouldn't even write anything. But it just bothers me when we have visitors at church and they criticize what we do. I don't think it was intentional, but it was somewhat rude nonetheless. These people are connected with missions in our denom. I gave them a minute - if there was anything they wanted to share. They used that to express their disappointment in getting people to take short-term missions trips. Then, after the service, they asked if they could re-do our missions bulletin board. Then, in talking later - without realizing it (I think) - they proceeded to criticize much of what we do, and many of the things I represent personally (not in regards to missions, but worship style, war theory, etc.). Man... and they can't figure out why they aren't getting more people involved in their missions stuff. (?)
I have mixed feelings about short-term missions trips. It seems most of the ones our denomination sponsors are "eyewitness type" trips. You go and "see" other countries, and missionaries. I have known people to take these, and it really spurred them on to take giant steps of faith. I have also know maybe more people who went on a trip like this, and not only was it a waste, but for some they think they've "done their duty" now; and it's also a boatload of work for the missionaries; and it basically does nothing AT ALL for the people in the mission field. I am not opposed to short-term mission projects. Going somewhere to actually help someone. I don't know...
Anyway, I didn't like someone coming in and not only trying to teach things I don't necessarily support, but also criticizing me and our church in the process. But, it's over. Just wanted to get that off my chest.
It does make me think though... so what impact is our church having in our "mission field"? Rather than just going to "look", are we DOING anything? Hmm.
Peace. Revolution.
5 comments:
Hi Lance,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I was actually going to delete this post this morning, because I thought it was a bit negative, and I don't really want to cast a negative light in any way over our denom, or anybody for that matter (even though I tend to do that now and then). I also didn't explain the situation very well. But... the thoughts you expressed are very good. Thanks.
I would like to add, I don't want anyone to think that these people offended the people of my church though. It was a personal thing - it was more that they "rubbed ME the wrong way." I am probably an expert in rubbing people the wrong way, as I think it's a spiritual gift of mine. :(
I guess one of my "things" was... they plastered my missions bulletin board with all these cards and newsletters... most of whom the people in my church have no idea who they are; nor do they care. One thing I have tried to do is LIMIT our exposure to missionaries - hoping that by having fewer to focus on, people might actually take more of an interest in them. It's been the same with our missions support. It used to be (speaking just about my church) we would throw a little money at any missionary who walked our way. I thought it would be better to limit our involvement to a few (for the time-being), so we could (1) be able to give a little more financial support; and (2) so we might actually be able to get involved in their lives a little too. I think this has worked for many people. The problem with having info about 20 different missionaries (as opposed to 6) is because it can tend to overwhelm people - they don't know where to begin, so they just don't read any of their information. I guess this is the "rifle" approach as opposed to the "shotgun" approach.
And maybe part of the problem is that the people in my church aren't real "Church of God" type people. Honestly, I don't push our denom stuff real heavy. I try to make it available, but I think I tend to have a lot of people just trying to figure out how to get through the day without getting arrested or killing anyone, and I would rather address those things than whethr or not we should be fighting in Iraq, or telling about what someone they don't know is doing somewhere... I don't know.
Regarding short-term trips: I really have no experience here, so take my thoughts with a grain of salt - they are merely my observations. But I agree with you - maybe more pre and post team briefing would help.
Anyway, thanks again for the comment. And... it's interesting... I just realized that the two best friends (couples) Jane and I have from back home (Bunker Hill/Buda) are missionaries now: John & Jennifer Young (CGGC affiliate status) and Kevin & Teresa Kopp - both with Wycliffe. Hmm.
Later dude. Keep the revolution going from inside the cggc office! Peace.
d.
FYI/P.S. - The people visiting were not the Dennison's. I have always had a great deal of respect for Don. And... even though these people redid my bulletin board, they did ask first. So it's my fault it happened - I didn't have guts to say 'no'. Just wanted to clear the air.
p.r.
d.
Re: short-term missions, or perhaps more appropriately, "visits to the field", I'd back up Lance's observations. I've seen people come back from a field trip where they've mixed mortar for an orphanage or somesuch, and their way of thinking has undergone an enormous transformation. Being a stingy Menno, I'm usually inclined toward a sentiment that says, "For the money you spent to hustle a dozen people to mix cement in Haiti, you could have built a dozen orphanages" - but the difference that experience has made in these people's lives makes me wonder if these trips aren't in some way akin to pouring perfume on Jesus' feet.
Well said, Whisky (do you mind if I call you Whisky? I can never remember how to spell Darrell - one 'r' or two; one 'l' or two; 'e', 'y'...). Anyway, thanks for the Menno-thought. :)
I often fail to look at the "big picture" of things. But I would think there is a difference between going somewhere and actually "doing something", and going somewhere just to see "what somebody else is doing." I dunno.
What are your wife's thoughts on the subject of short-term missionaries/mission's trips?
"Darrell" is right, thank you - just don't spell it "Dare-ly", and I'm happy (a shipping outfit I worked for used to do that just to honk me off. It worked, too!)
Beth isn't here to answer your question, but since I'm Head of our house, I think it's only fair of me to presume on her behalf (ha!). I'd say so long as she doesn't have to organize the effort (her plate is too full as it is), she's all for 'em. She's volunteered and done fund-raising for Hands Across The Nations, an organization that does precisely this sort of "cement-mixing" adventure in Mali and Bolivia. I also know that when she makes info-trips like the one she's on now, she'll occasionally experience friction from the people in the field. CBMI doesn't have a short-term program, but occasionally they'll make a point of giving a major donor a bit of a tour. But, on some level, every one of the trips she makes to a particular project functions as a field trip. When she comes back, she's overflowing with memories and experiences. It's an unfortunate paradox: the trips do take their toll (she melts down whenever she's reunited with the girls), but they also fuel her passion for the work.
Darrell Reimer, aka...
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