Reflections of a New Missionary - Lutheran Society for Missiology

94 Missio Apostolica
Mission Obsewer
What Can Truly Power God's Mission
After speaking in 549 congregations of our Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, and
after traveling to 63 countries to visit and film missionaries, there are a number of
observations that can be brought into prospective. The fist is, "we can't continue to 'Do
Mission' the way we have always done it!" By that I mean, we can't simply ask our
people to give to a line item in their congregational budget. In visiting with
congregations and people throughout the United States, I have observed a sincere desire
to (a) want to know where their gift is going (b) to feel more involved more directly (c)
feel that they are a part of a specific effort (d) to hear some feedback from where their
misslon Interest is directed and (e) to explore the possibility of actually going and seeing
the work.
When these items are addressed, there can be a giant explosion in mission
involvement. People are suffering from information overload. Pastors are suffering from
information overload. When I visit pastors' offices I see stacks and stacks of unopened
items on their desks and shelves. We can't keep sending letters and information. Our
individuals are getting too many letters, too many telephone calls, and they have become
"desensitized" to the avalanche of information that is coming from all agencies.
When individuals and congregations and organizations adopt a specific ministry, and
get feedback, some interesting things happen. I have seen congregations 'wake up' and
get excited about their church again. Congregations and individuals feel that they have a
'purpose' in this life. Repeatedly I have seen major changes in congregations that have
been somewhat 'dead' to missions, and then suddenly they are talking mission, hearing
mssion, and doing mission. The key to the 'delivery system' is the oldest type of
communication. It's called one-on-one. This is the hardest type of work, and requires the
most time, commitment and energy.
We live in a society today where everyone is looking for the 'labor saving way'.
Sometimes there is no answer to that, and we must fully understand that Our Heavenly
Father made each of us special, and we are to go and tell that Good News of our Lord
Jesus. It is our responsibility and we can't truly find a 'labor saving way' to accomplish
this! If we are truly looking for that harvest, then the words of Paul in his letter to the
Galatians remind us, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we
will reap a harvest if we do not give up! (6:9)" Our society today is losing zeal for
working hard and looks for an easy way. I see people trapped by their computers, assured
that the unchurched will "simply walk into their clubhouse". Mission is always propelled
by the word "GO" and that's what still has to be done today. We have to get on our feet
and go out and still do it the hard way . . . one on one! Telling people the Good News of
our Lord Jesus, who lives in our hearts.