Caught up in "American" ministry

I am convicted. With my Starbucks nonfat, no water, extra-hot chai latte and wireless internet I know life is good. Life is easy. Ministry, as challenging as I think it is, seems easy compared to doing God's work outside the USA. I get trapped into thinking that cool graphics, a well functioning program, reaching the lost, or a powerful sermon should be the focus of my weekly planning. Meetings, leadership books, reaching the lost in my culture, even ministry conversations are all helpful but I feel like I build up ministry in my local community at the neglect of world-wide kingdom work. We may be passionate about bringing new souls into the church, but what about a ministry of compassion to those in serious need outside the church? What about outside of my affluent American culture?

It is easy to get a narrow focus in ministry is it not?

I just watched a video about a global food crisis. I know that just blogging about this adds to my problem of feeling badly but not doing much. My wife and I sponsor a compassion international child and have encouraged others in the church to do the same. Besides encouraging others to participate in one-time events (signing up to sponsor a child, going on a mission trip, etc.) what do you think we can do as ministry leaders to help our churches see the big picture of global ministry? What can I do to gain a more global perspective?

The Voice

I just read an emergent village blog that talked about a new translation called "the voice". From what I can read it focuses on the narrative presentation of the New Testament and brings out different nuances in the authors' style of writing. This seems like an interesting translation - has anyone read any of their single books of the Bible (Acts, Romans, etc?) and could give me any input.

I can't knock it nor praise it because I have not read it. I do get nervous about any translation that says it is a "true interpretation of the traditional Bible text" - does this imply that other translations are false? I also raise an eyebrow at "the first completely new Bible translation available to readers in several years". From what I have read, The Voice uses musicians, poets, and storytellers to translate Scripture. I am sure that the story of Scripture "comes alive" more with talented narrative-minded folks translating the text, but what about the 2000+ year cultural gap. It seems like, from what I read, that the musicians, poets, theologians, and storytellers translate the Bible and then scholars look over their work for mistakes.

Am I misinformed? Please help me understand this translation better if you are familiar with it.

What are your thoughts on this new translation?

The Economy and Your Ministry

I was just reading a post by Kent Shaffer over at churchrelevance.com titled 10 Theories on High Gas Prices and Church, and I was wondering if any of you have seen this affect any of your ministries.

Since our church is in a small town, I don't think there has been much affect on attendance due to the gas prices. I know many of you are involved in ministries in larger cities.

How have gas prices affected involvement in your ministries?

Sexual Wholeness

I just recently finished a class on human sexuality. We had many discussions on what the biblical view of sexuality consists of, especially for the single person. There are many Scriptural concepts I would use to develop God’s sexual economy. I would start with reality that God created us male and female in His own image. Both sexes are valuable, unique and equal in God’s eyes. This is from Genesis 1 and 2. Scripture emphasizes the process of striving for sexual purity. I would want to focus on meeting Christ in a personal way and striving to obey his commands. John 15 covers these concepts pretty well. I would point to the reality of Christian sexual expression: chastity and heterosexual marriage. For chastity, 1 Corinthians 7 lays out an excellent picture of marriage and chastity. The book of the Song of Solomon would be helpful in exploring lovemaking in marriage. Proverbs 5:15-20 shares some great insights into the exclusivity of marriage between a man and a woman, as well as Hebrews 13:4. Ephesians 5 teaches on the sanctity of marriage being a picture of Christ and the church. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-7 teaches that there must not be a hint of sexual immorality among believers in Christ.


Sexual wholeness in God’s economy comes from a heart that is oriented towards Christ. It is only through grace that we are saved from sexual sin. All other expressions apart from God’s grace are futile in this effort. Sexual wholeness demands a focused priority on the Trinity, and following after the commands of the Lord. In today’s culture, sexual chastity seems to be an “unfair” expression for singles. Some think that sex only in the confines of heterosexual marriage is too exclusive. What the world does not realize is that God is good; His commands are upright. This sexually pure lifestyle is not meant to hinder our freedom; it is meant to preserve our freedom. Personally, sexual sin has been a confusing and sometimes devastating struggle for me. I was the person who bought the lie that sexual expression is not sacred. The Bible teaches that sex is sacred, and sexual wholeness comes through obedience and grace. What is the single person supposed to do with their sexual urges and surges? Dr. Douglas Rosenau, in his book Soul Virgins, talks about redirecting sexual urges towards fellowship with others, agape love in community, and exercise. Also, it is important for the single person to reframe his mind to remember the purpose of sexuality: it is a drive to create intimate relationships with God and others. Rosenau points out that sexual desire and the ache should drive us to intimate relationships with friends, a future mate and God---this ache is a need for completion and not just horny release. God calls us to good stewardship of our sexuality.


A sexually whole person is someone who has been declared righteous by grace through faith alone in Christ alone. Through this new identity, they seek to live out God’s commands and strive to live in sexual purity. For the single person, this would consist of holy chastity. They would recall that God’s design for sexual expression is expressed in the covenant bonds of heterosexual marriage. Though counter to American culture, this is God’s prescription for sexual wholeness. For the married person, this would consist of faithfully meeting your spouse’s need through wholesome and passionate lovemaking. Sex is a gift to be shared together, not a demand.

What Would You Say?

I have been working in the inner-city for 5 years now. Certain issues that we face daily are unique. However, certain challenges are simply amplifications of common ministry challenges. Once I met a rather large man named Jamal. Jamal was about 25. He had a woman who lived with him and several children. I had an opportunity to share the gospel with Jamal. He was very receptive. He nodded his head and said he understood everything. When I had finished sharing with him I asked if he would like to receive Christ as his savior. He thought for a minute and then said, "I hear what you are saying, and I like it. I mean I understand about Jesus and all..." I was very encouraged, but only for a moment. He looked me in the eyes very seriously and said, "But what I want to know is, how can I accept this when I know that tomorrow I am going to have to deal (drugs) and kill just to feed my family?"
I did not have an answer for Jamal that day. I still don't know exactly what I would say. Jamal's case is an extreme example, but this problem is not limited to the inner-city. Countless people know and understand the gospel, but feel trapped by their lives. It could be habits, addictions, jobs, friends... anything really. They stop short of real saving faith because they know it will mean losing an essential part of their lives as they know them. They are either too attached to their sin or they cannot imagine a life without it.
So how do we respond? How do we as Christ's ambassadors win these people to the Lord? It doesn't work to say "Just trust in Jesus and leave that issue up to him." I've tried. So what do we do?