The thing about a multiplying, mobile, organic church network is that it is unstable. Of course, one missionary’s unstable is another missionary’s flexible and dynamic. The question most missionaries ask themselves, though, is, what am I leaving behind? Stability is alluring because it provides an answer to that question. The located, identifiable entity makes me feel sure that the investment paid off. The evidence of my work is X number of churches planted in X locations.
Part 6: Spiritual Gifts
I am increasingly convinced that I don’t understand spiritual gifts. I think that the way in which they are stifled in many church structures is detrimental to the wellbeing of the whole body--the “common good” (1 Cor 12:7). We tend to focus all our mutual edification expectations on a few “ministers” and on the abstract notion of fellowship--just being together. Then there is also a tendency to let personality and proclivity, in a variety of ways, to overpower the underlying reality of the Spirit’s work. And lying like a patina over the whole discussion is the doubt about emotionalism and, no less, the rationalist’s ironically overly emotional reaction to emotionalism. But while I can lay out these issues, I’m unsure just how to approach the situation. For, in addition to my lack of clarity, there is a tension in our kingdom-sowing situation that has gifts at its heart.
Part 5: Dependency
My in-laws recently visited. My father-in-law, Steve, has the interesting role of being both parent and elder in our situation. Just before flying back to the US, Steve was sitting at our “dining room” table, fielding translated questions from the Peruvian church members and visitors. One of the church members, who has spent most of his life in traditional Church of Christ settings but has come to appreciate our style, asked how many members Cedar Lane has. “Close to five hundred,” Steve replied. “And do you meet in homes like we do?” continued the brother. “We have a large building where we all meet on Sunday morning, but we meet in small groups on Sunday evenings,” explained Steve. “So how does it affect you to meet with us in a home and share a meal as we do here,” asked the brother. He is still sorting through what this church model means and how others, such as a church elder, might feel about our strange “new” way of assembling on Sunday.
Part 2: God's Family
The New Testament employs a variety of metaphors to represent the church’s essence. One of the most significant is certainly family. Family is an expression of the real relational dynamic that exists among followers of Jesus. We articulated our vision over five years ago: God’s family celebrating and serving in Arequipa.
Missionary Mom: A Beautiful Sunday
Part 1: Church in Arequipa
When we talk about ecclesiology (our understanding of the church), there are two levels to consider. The first is the abstract, presumably universal level at which we think about what the church is. The second is the practical level at which which we think about how a local church must embody that essence. One problem that has affected many churches is the assumption that the second level, that of application, is just as universal as the first. This belief leads some to the conclusion that the forms, styles, practices, and traditions of the church universal should be pretty much uniform in the church local. The expectation that the New Testament will provide those forms bolsters the assumption.
Missionary Mom: Can I Get a Witness?
I don’t know if it has occurred to any of you back home, but this month marks three years that we have been in Arequipa. ¡Feliz Aniversario! That is unbelievable to me. When I use the word “unbelievable” it’s not so much that I can’t believe we have been living in Peru for that period of time but what God has been able to do in that period. I step back from all of it, and I really am overwhelmed with thankfulness for you all back home.
The Apprentice: Birthdays and Bible Classes
As most of you know, I teach two bible classes to children each Sunday, for children between the ages of three and thirteen. One of the challenges that has accompanied that task is finding or creating materials and lessons, particularly visual aids. Any one who has taught a bible class for young children will know just how essential good visual aids are. As the saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” and I can tell you from experience young children have a hard time sitting still and listening to a thousand words uninterrupted.
Missionary Mom: The Family of God
Many doubted our strategy of starting house churches when we were fundraising. A major reason is that it has never been done in churches of Christ successfully here in Latin America. We are blessed to be supported by Cedar Lane and Shiloh Road in our work here, because they decided to take a step of faith in hiring us and in investing in this model. I believe we still have a long way to go to see evidence that it is working. Only time will tell. But I have really enjoyed seeing our little house church develop over time and slowly seeing relationships deepen between the body of believers.
Missionary Mom: Have You Heard?
The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. God is definitely at work in this world whether we are on board with it or not, and the Holy Spirit is preparing lives to be “sons of God.” Our work here is all about spreading God’s kingdom. I have learned in the almost 2 years that we have lived here that God provides the increase, and there is a big reason that patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit.