Missionary Drive

stmatthew · #1 09-03-2007, 03:05 PM

I have always been a big reader of Missionary biographies. I love to hear the stories of different missionaries and the sacrifices they made. I guess most of what I read would have been in the 1900-1960 timeframe. One thing that I noticed is that there was a big push for missionaries to go into all the world. I do not hear much anymore about a call to missions.

Did there used to be services specifically geared towards the promotion of "calling missionaries" to the field? Why do we have so few going into the mission field?

berkeley · #2 09-03-2007, 03:10 PM

A prayer:

"Lord, I'll do whatever it takes to reach the lost. Use me, Lord. Just don't take away my nice home, luxury car, good job... Use me Lord, I'll do anything you ask..."

berkeley · #3 09-03-2007, 03:50 PM

No objection to my post. Sweet!

stmatthew · #4 09-03-2007, 03:55 PM

No one is even opening this thread up to read it. Maybe I should re-title it "to TV or not to TV, that is the question!"

berkeley · #5 09-03-2007, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stmatthew

No one is even opening this thread up to read it. Maybe I should re-title it "to TV or not to TV, that is the question!"

It is a great topic worthy of discussion that goes beyond my simplistic answer. My post was inspired by conversations that I have had with people my age. They are ministry-minded individuals, as long as there is no real sacrifice. Or maybe in their heart of hearts they believe that they are making a great sacrifice. But, in my opinion -attending every church activity is not something to be considered sacrificial. It is more along the lines of your 'reasonable service.'

stmatthew · #6 09-03-2007, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berkeley

It is a great topic worthy of discussion that goes beyond my simplistic answer. My post was inspired by conversations that I have had with people my age. They are ministry-minded individuals, as long as there is no real sacrifice. Or maybe in their heart of hearts they believe that they are making a great sacrifice. But, in my opinion -attending every church activity is not something to be considered sacrificial. It is more along the lines of your 'reasonable service.'

To me, just being faithful to attend every service is about like being faithful to sit at the dinner table and eat. It's all about what you get. Somewhere along the line there needs to be a greater stress about giving ones self to God, and following him into the harvest field.

berkeley · #7 09-03-2007, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stmatthew

To me, just being faithful to attend every service is about like being faithful to sit at the dinner table and eat. It's all about what you get. Somewhere along the line there needs to be a greater stress about giving ones self to God, and following him into the harvest field.

To many, and even "too many believe that" -giving ones self to God is synonymous with giving ones self to the church. I'm not trying to down play the role of the saint and the church. But, somewhere some have lost their focus, or they were taught to focus in on the wrong areas.
I'm grasping for words here. The thought has passed. If it returns, I will post it...

berkeley · #8 09-03-2007, 04:43 PM

I wish someone would post something on this thread. Maybe it will get my crank going and just maybe I'll remember what I was going to say.

Newman · #9 09-03-2007, 08:28 PM

Stmatt- Except for the very high-risk areas in muslim territory and the like; the Gospel is often going forward naturally through people from that area rather than foreigners; although we obviously have missionaries in all parts of the globe.

The fields have been plowed, the seed sown from earlier times and the harvest is happening NATURALLY.

What can we do now? If God hasn't called one directly; then send money to those that are already there working in the harvest fields across the globe. In doing so; we have put our American resources to very good use while the other countries natural resources (the people) are being used to further God's Kingdom.