About C4USM
The Center for U. S. Missions
is a partnership between The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod (LCMS)
World Mission, Concordia University Irvine, and the North American
Mission Executives of the LCMS. It provides research and training for
mission work among unevangelized people in the United States. We are
Christ-centered, mission-driven and service-oriented. |
Contact Us
Center for U.S. Missions1530 Concordia DR WIrvine CA 92612-3203Phone: 949-854-8002 x1780Email:
office@centerforusmissions.comWeb:www.c4usm.com |
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"VISION ...and
proVISION"
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By Mike Ruhl
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It must
have been the fifth similar telephone conversation in the past month. I listen
intently as a missionary pastor unpacks his anxiety about declining and
disappearing financial support for his ministry and his turbulent concern about
not being around to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to the many receptive postmodern
people in his ripening urban mission field.
What
could have degenerated into a woeful, depressing analysis of economic downturn
in the church was transformed into a celebration of hope and confirmation of
Jesus' promise to all who engage in the Great
Commission: "I will be with you always, even to the very end of the age." (Matthew
28:20) More than a statement of divine omnipresence, Jesus promises that as
believers engage in the Great Commission of "making disciples of all the
nations," He will be with us every step and every inch of the way, and He will
provide the necessary resources to fulfill His mission.
As you
know, Jesus was a magnificent parabolic Teacher ... a master of the metaphor. One
time Jesus gave to the disciples a striking metaphor which gave them great
assurance that God will provide all that is needed in order for His mission to
advance through them.
"Which
of you fathers, if your son asks for an egg, will give him a snake instead? Or
if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are
evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your
Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" (Luke
11:11-13)
That word-picture from Jesus is a perfect summary of what that missionary
pastor and I were empowered to see and to celebrate together by the power of
the Holy Spirit. God simply will not release His VISION to a missionary -
without also making PROVISION for that vision to be fulfilled. When it comes to
authentic mission, God is not in the business of passing out snakes when his missionary
people ask for fish, nor does He distribute scorpions when they ask for
eggs.
God's
missionary people do not lose heart when shekels seem scarce. Instead they turn
to God in prayer, conduct self and ministry evaluation, pursue alignment with
the will of the Father, deepen their God-given vision of mission...and then
humble themselves to receive the promised fish and eggs.
Be
encouraged, dear missionary.
What a
wonderful God we have!
Rev. Mike Ruhl is the Executive Director of Training for the Center for U.S. Missions.
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Questions for Reflection
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- How has the Lord kept his
promise to provide necessary financial resources for your mission?
- What portion of your
mission-funding resources does the Lord deliver internally (through the people
associated with your mission)? What portion does the Lord deliver externally
(through some form of grant or "mission subsidy")? How do you feel about
that?
- How do you balance the
tension between money and mission?
- How is the Lord changing or expanding
the flow of "fish and eggs" to your mission?
- How can you exercise better
stewardship of the financial resources the Lord is bringing to your
mission?
- What internal and external
factors are blocking the flow of God's promised resources to your mission?
- How is the Lord using you
personally as a conduit for supplying financial resources for your mission?
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News From The Center
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 C4USM Connections
C4USM Connections is our new e-newsletter sent out periodically. It is designed to keep you informed about the training, research, and resources offered by the Center for U.S. Missions. Click here to subscribe.
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Mission Moments is a monthly electronic newsletter sent by the Center for U.S. Missions to bring information and encouragement to all who desire to share God's great love in Jesus Christ with others. Permission is given to copy this article for distribution within your congregation or organization. Please credit the author and the Center for U.S. Missions. The Center for U.S. Missions provides research and training for mission work among unevangelized people in the United States. A partnership of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod (LCMS) World Missions, Concordia University in Irvine, California, and the North America Mission Executives of the LCMS, the Center serves all Christian denominations.
Center for U.S. Missions 949-854-8002 x1780; office@centerforusmissions.comMike Ruhl, Executive Director of Training, mike.ruhl@cui.eduMichelle Connor, Coordinator; michelle.connor@cui.edu |
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