June 2010

Vol.61, No.2

Talking Missions

Declaring Direction

There’s going to be more talk about missions this year than usual. Four international mission conferences will vie to become the directional rudder of missions for the future. Combined, these multiple global conferences will be comparable to the influence on missions that the Edinburgh 1910 International Missionary Conference had a century ago.

How important are these conferences? The fruit coming out of these conferences will cast the trajectory of missions for this decade and beyond. Some plans and strategies that are offered will be heartening, whereas others will predictably be questionable. As a responsible missions association, the theological and missiological posture of CrossGlobal Link demands that we engage in crafting what emerges from some of these conferences. Because of that, this association had a leading role in, and co-sponsorship of, the first of the four conferences – the just completed Tokyo 2010 Global Mission Consultation. 

Last month, over 900 mission leaders representing 85 countries met for four days in Tokyo. The time was spent celebrating the achievements of the past 100 years in mission, grappling with contemporary issues, and strategizing for the future. One of the lasting fruits produced by the conference is the clarion call of the “Tokyo 2010 Declaration.” This laser-sharp document, focusing on making disciples of all peoples, is one that will influence missions for years to come. As you read through it you will see why. 

Tokyo 2010 Declaration

Making Disciples of Every People in Our Generation

Preamble

We affirm that mission is the central theme of Scripture, through which God reveals Himself to be a God who communicates and works through us by action and word in a world estranged from Him. Furthermore, we recognize that fulfilling and bringing completion to Jesus’ Great Commission (Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15; Lk. 24:44-49; Jn. 20:21; Acts 1:8) has been the on-going responsibility of the Church for 2000 years.

In this era of missions, we of the Tokyo 2010 Global Mission Consultation value and commemorate the 1910 Edinburgh World Missionary Conference, a hallmark event which stands out as an inspiration and impetus to the modern global mission movement. We celebrate a legacy of 100 years of mission that has transpired since that first world missionary conference.

However, the world has dramatically changed since that conference was convened a century ago. Missions is no longer the predominant domain of Western Christianity. Rather, the preponderance of mission activity today is being engaged by Majority World Christians outside of the West. Christ’s ambassadors are coming from everywhere around the world and going to anywhere and everywhere in the world. We rejoice that today’s mission force is global in composition, bearing a diversity of thought, practice and resources that enriches and energizes Christ’s global Cause as never before.

Yet, the corresponding reality is that the present day mission task is so large and complex that no one church, agency, national missions movement, or regional mission block can take it on alone or independently. Also, the understanding of the essence of what is entailed in the remaining task has altered considerably in recent years.

Declaration

We, representatives of evangelical global mission structures, being intent on fulfilling the ultimate objective of the Great Commission, have gathered in Tokyo May 11-14, 2010 at this Global Mission Consultation to make the following declaration. We set forth this declaration in obedience to Christ’s final command, as a means of calling Christ-followers everywhere to whole-heartedly embrace and earnestly engage in “making disciples of every people in our generation.”

Mankind’s Need

We affirm that all people are lost apart from faith in Christ. The clear statements of Scripture reveal that every individual, without exception, is a sinner by nature, choice and practice (Rom. 3:9-18, 23). As such, all are under God’s wrath and condemnation (Jn. 3:18) because their sin is an affront to the perfect and holy nature of God (Rom. 1:18; 2:2-5). The tragic result of sin is man’s alienation from God, leading to everlasting death (Rom. 6:23), and creation’s bondage to corruption, subjecting it to futility (Rom. 8:18-21). 

God’s Remedy

We further affirm that out of love, God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:16), to reconcile the world to Himself, so that mankind’s sin will not be counted against them (2 Cor. 5:19). God’s justice for the penalty of sin was satisfied by the atoning death of Christ as a sacrifice on man’s behalf. Through Jesus’ vicarious death and victorious resurrection, mankind is brought into a restored relationship with God. God offers forgiveness and salvation to all who, through faith, repent of their sin and believe solely in the redemptive work of Christ on the cross on their behalf (Rom. 1:5,16,17; 3:21-26; Eph. 1:7; 2:8-10). Therefore the message of the Great Commission is that “repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name to all peoples” (Lk. 24:47). Salvation is found in none other (Acts 4:12), nor in any other way (Jn. 14:6).

Our Responsibility

Because of the reality of mankind’s dire need and God’s gracious remedy, Jesus left with His followers the missional priority of making disciples of every people (Mt. 28:18-20). By this mandate we acknowledge both the breadth of the unfinished task – all peoples – and the depth of the task – making disciples, as its focus.

We recognize the breadth of our task as geographical, by going “into all the world” (Mk 16:15); as ethnical, by engaging “all peoples” (Mt. 28:19; Lk. 24:49); and as individual by proclaiming the gospel to “every creature” (Mk. 16:15).

Furthermore, we recognize that the depth of the task contains three essentials that comprise  aspects in discipling peoples (Mt. 28:19-20):

Penetration (“go”): making a priority of going to those who have had little or no exposure to the gospel. Messengers go and encounter non-believers by way of personal encounters, broadcasts, podcasts, printed material, recordings, electronic communications, or any other innovative means used as a channel of penetrating witness. Thus, the importance of the ministry of evangelizing.

Consolidation (“baptizing”): gathering new believers into a relationship with Jesus and other believers, which is evidenced by the identifying rite of baptism. To conserve the fruit of evangelism and then be able to systematically disciple believers takes a local body of believers living in corporate harmony. Thus, the importance of the ministry of establishing churches.

Transformation (“teaching to obey”): teaching Christ-followers to observe His commands with the outcome of transformed lives. The new believer’s worldview must be adjusted to a biblical worldview; his lifestyle changed to increasingly conform to the image of Christ; and his ethical conduct progressively marked by biblical morals. Ideally, this results in individuals applying the gospel of the kingdom to every sphere and pursuit of life—from government to economics, from education to health, and from science to creation care. As a consequence whole communities, cultures and countries benefit from the transforming power of the gospel. Thus, the importance of the ministry of teaching.

Finishing the Task

Although none dare predict when the task of making disciples will be brought to completion, we leave Tokyo cognizant of two realities:

1. We are closer now to finishing the task than at any time in modern history.
2. God has entrusted this generation with more opportunities and resources to complete the task than any previous one. We have more mission-minded churches, more sending structures and bases, more missionaries, more material resources, more funding, more and better technology, more information and data, a deeper understanding of the task, and a clearer focus of our responsibility than previous generations. God will require much of our generation.

However, we caution that all these advantages must be matched with a corresponding will to serve and sacrifice, coupled with genuine reliance upon the Holy Spirit. We acknowledge that we are engaged in spiritual warfare in which the presence and empowering of the Holy Spirit is essential (Acts 1:8). We give evidence of our reliance on God and His Spirit through frequent and fervent prayer on behalf of the world, the work and the workers (Jn. 17:20-21; Col. 4:3-4; 1 Th. 5:17).

Our Pledge

Therefore, as representatives of this generation’s global mission community, we pledge to obey the Great Commission. We covenant together to use all that God has entrusted to us in this obedience. We will seek to know where people are unreached, overlooked, ignored, or forgotten. We will pray for the Holy Spirit to give strength and guidance as we join with others in changing that neglect, to love and make disciples in the way of the Cross.

We confess that we have not always valued each other or each other’s work. We repent of those wrongs and will endeavor to bring an end to competition where it exists, and reconcile where there is hurt, misunderstanding and mistrust. Furthermore, we will endeavor to recognize that each part of the Body has its very own purpose, whether risking their very lives to show God’s passion for the salvation of others, or supporting those who lead us forward, or caring for those who quietly support, or fervently pray that His will be done throughout the whole earth. We will respect all mission-engaging individuals and groups as special vessels for God’s glory, each endowed with abilities that extend His Kingdom in multiple ways.

Finally, we recognize that finishing the task will demand effective cooperative efforts of the entire global body of believers. To facilitate cooperation and on-going coordination between mission structures worldwide, we agree to the necessity of a global network of mission structures. With this in mind, we leave Tokyo pledging cooperation with one another, and all others of like faith, with the singular goal of “making disciples of every people in our generation.” 

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Becoming Globally Friendly

Eldon Porter

Consultant for Global Connections

CrossGlobal Link

Consultant for Global Integration

COMIBAM International

Seventy mission leaders from thirty-three North American missions met May 20-22 in Chicago to discuss the huge challenges and opportunities North American missions face with globalization, coupled with the growing numbers of majority world missionaries.  Every mission’s unique identity and history provided perspectives that enriched our discussion. 

Prior to each session, Dr. Howard Brant, veteran SIM missionary, put partnership principles in biblical perspective. Leaders then wrestled with the details of policies and structures, motivated by the reality of the global face the Body of Christ that is now being expressed in world missions. Representatives from Africa, Latin America and Asia also shared their struggles in partnering with the West through this new way that God is working. 

The consultation was initiated by CrossGlobal Link, with the overall strategy to serve the traditional Western missions’ community in the current transition into the global paradigm of missions.  Additional services, events, and dialogues are planned that will address specific issues. Some of these involve discussion on organizational structure for global mission, resources for multi-cultural team training, cross-platform and interagency cooperation in the form of an alliance, management and transfer of finances in the dynamic global reality, sharing of tools for training in ministry context, and strategic leadership networking with ministries and leaders in the Global South.  An email bulletin is available that communicates the services.  If you wish to be kept informed contact Eldon through the CrossGlobal Link office. 

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Rekindling the Fire

Dr. Monroe Brewer

President

National Association of Mission Pastors (NAMP)

Director of Church Connections 

CrossGlobal Link

On the 20^th of May, we struck the match and the fire was rekindled as members from the National Association of Missions Pastors (NAMP) gathered for a missions pastors summit sponsored by CrossGlobal Link. For the first time in five years we met to renew friendships, discuss crucial issues of mutual interest, and plan for the future.

The summit format was modeled after Leadership Network’s successful way of facilitating ministry interaction between church professionals—get 25 people (or, in this case, 30) in the same room for three days without an agenda and allow the group process to dictate the issues discussed and applications applied. Everyone entered this dynamic process enthusiastically! For eight sessions on three days, groups met separately, with continual large-group de-briefing throughout.

Part of the summit included break-out into two groups determined by length of time served as a missions pastor. In separate sessions, both groups chose four topics for reflection and discussion, with the top one on both lists being “Connecting to the Younger Generation.”  Other topics dealt with included the challenge of contextualizing the Gospel, communicating missions to the congregation, the tensions with local and global outreach, and the role of mentoring for the missions pastor.

Besides an annual NAMP-only conference, there will be a four-hour gathering each September on the last day of the North American Mission Leaders Conference (See NAMLC 2010 below). Members will be informed about plans for future events electronically and through VISIONS.

Praise God—the fire has been rekindled and will burn in 2011 even more brightly! 

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Connecting to Equip

Peggy Newell

Executive Assistant

CrossGlobal Link

Considering that women make up more than half the missionary force, that more than half of the unreached people in world are women, and that many of these women can be reached only by women, CrossGlobal Link deemed it a high priority to hold an event focused on the training and equipping of women in cross-cultural ministry.

Connecting to Equip was the first of 3 affinity-specific conferences held this spring. Eighty women and men representing 40 agencies from North America and across the ocean participated.

General sessions were designed to be informative and to provoke thinking about issues missionary women are facing, what historically has been the approach to preparing women for cross-cultural ministry and what women perceive to be the expectations of their sending agency. Then the workshops introduced and prompted thought and interaction among attendees about how to address some of these issues. Topics included:

• How women can experience a life of rich emotion in a way that honors God and how agencies can help them live and serve in an emotionally health way.
• Preparing missionary women for working on multi-cultural teams.
• Exploring the life and needs of single women and how mission agencies can encourage them to thrive in life and ministry.
• Examining women’s self-expectations and how missions can better prepare them for the realities of cross-cultural ministry and equip them for healthy long-term service.
• Equipping missionary women through small-group mentoring and comprehensive training.

Besides designated times set apart to view resources designed for training and encouraging women in ministry, spontaneous discussion and networking took place throughout. Each attendee was gifted with the newly released, Expectations and Burnout – Women Surviving the Great Commission by Sue Eenigenburg and Robynn Bliss (William Carey Library, Pasadena, CA). 

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Upcoming Conferences