Tentmaking by Lai Patrick;

Author:Lai, Patrick; [Lai, Patrick]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
Published: 2014-03-10T00:00:00+00:00

Priorities and Church Involvement

Many Christian workers have a strong desire to have a role in the church. Just as we served in our church at home, it is natural to desire to serve in the church in our adopted land. However, timing is important. Until we are fluent in the language, most any kind of service should be delayed. If we need to learn two languages, it is common to learn the trade language and then become involved in a church using the trade language, but this may actually hinder our development in the heart language of the people we are called to reach. Language learning is hard work. After one year of language study, it is easy to feel we have accomplished nothing. After all, we have only learned to talk! There is not a whole lot to write home about. In our anxiety to “have a ministry,” we can volunteer too quickly to serve in the church. It is wiser to wait and master the heart language so as to strategically enable the making of disciples and starting of churches that will reproduce using the heart language.

Many workers had leadership roles in their churches before going abroad. In truth, we miss the influence and structure a church leadership role gives us. It is all too easy to gratify our task orientated nature by taking on duties in the church before we are adequately prepared (1 Timothy 4:2)—adequacy meaning we have thoroughly completed our language and cultural studies. This is an example of how having clear objectives before going overseas and having someone hold us accountable to those objectives helps keep us on track. If we are committed to learning the language well, we need to complete that commitment. Thus, we need to be acutely aware of becoming overly involved in the local church, be it the national or the international church. It is tempting when there is little progress in as he is better qualified to determine both the need and the situation of those seeking help. Get used to being asked all kinds of favors. Andy from India clarifies, “Understand that church members will view you as rich. Be prepared to give, but know your limits. Do not feign being poor, as they will only think you are dishonest. We need to understand wealth in their terms, not ours. Develop a relationship with a trusted national employee or pastor who can help you evaluate when, how much, and whom to give to. Understand that Christians and Christian workers are just as likely to cheat you as non-Christians.”

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