The Changing Face of Missions
I want us to consider how globalization is effecting us as missionaries. Fritz Kling wrote a book entitled “[amazon_link id=”B005SJ1X5Y” target=”_blank” ]The Meeting of the Waters: 7 Global Currents That Will Propel the Future Church[/amazon_link]” His book will be the backdrop for our discussion. In it he identifies two characters; Missions Marm and Apple Guy.
Missions Marm – An older, single woman who loaded her trunk (or perhaps even a coffin packed with belongings) onto a ship or plane for her trip to the field, knowing she would only see “home” for an extended furlough every five years. Communication was by sporadic mail service. A lifetime of service seemed too short to accomplish the task.
Apple Guy – a young, hip family man wearing shorts, flip-flops, and sporting scraggly facial hair who excels at multi-tasking and staying in constant communication with those at home. His family would soon fly into join him for a three-year commitment after renting out the house they were maintaining in the United States. The goodbyes were brief because family was visiting for a sight-seeing trip in a few months.
“Mission Marm had given up all of her Western accoutrements and conveniences to serve in any way or place that she was needed. Apple Guy brought his gadgets and toys with him to a place he had chosen.
For further discussion on these two styles of missionaries, please head over to A Life Overseas today where I am posting.
At the same time, pick up your copy of The Meeting of the Waters.
[amazon_image id=”B005SJ1X5Y” link=”true” target=”_blank” size=”medium” ]The Meeting of the Waters: 7 Global Currents That Will Propel the Future Church[/amazon_image]