I had dinner with friend who had gone on a mission trip to Manila. He told me that the group he works with has developed a philosophy to avoid the attitude, “I’m the rich American, and I’m here to fix everything. Sit back, because I’m here to show you exactly how everything should be done.”
Instead, people in this group go on mission with the attitude, “I’m here to serve you while I learn from you.”
This attitude can be applied locally as well. During our next church outreach, will we project the attitude from start to finish, “We are the experts–let us solve all your problems”? Or will we spend time learning what people’s lives are like, what their challenges really are, and how we can humbly enable them to meet those challenges?
Will we be ready to learn something new from them–something new about being like Jesus?
My mission trip team was talking tonight about something similar. A lot of the reasons for the people mistrusting us in our area (South Africa) has to do with our colour, but to overcome that is to get to know them and show them we are friends. Jesus didn’t just force HIS message on people HE created relationships. He ate and partied with people, then shared with them. If we want to be like Jesus we should be creating relationships with people teaching by example first.
Comment by Sarah Goodpasture — August 30, 2007 @ 1:16 am |
Sarah, that would seem to have interesting applications not just in South Africa, but here too.
Comment by Ed Jordan — August 30, 2007 @ 10:17 am |
Right. I’m really into backyard missions right now. People keep telling me how they wish they could do something like I am going to Africa. I’m not sure people are hearing me when I reply “your mission field is all around you, do something”. I tell kids all the time, find out what you love, make it your passion and strive to be great at it. The same goes for adults, find out what you are passionate about and help someone using that passion. Sorry for ranting off topic. GB.
Comment by Sarah Goodpasture — August 30, 2007 @ 10:50 am |