What Do Everyday Missionaries Do?-Part 2

There are many ways to answer the question of what everyday missionaries do.  In their book “A Field Guide for Everyday Mission” authors Ben Connely and Bob Roberts, Jr. give a few different thoughts on this issue.  The List _ things that they see that a person on mission will be about in the daily exercise of partnering with God on His mission.  The things they list are:

  1. Everyday Missionaries See the Big Picture
  2. Everyday Missionaries See the Ground Level
  3. Everyday Missionaries Rearrange Their Lives For the Sake of Others
  4. Everyday Missionaries Grow in Love for Others
  5. Everyday Missionaries Rely on God the Spirit (The Holy Spirit)

I was challenged by all of the points made in this section of Connely and Robert’s book.  I think it will be helpful for me to push us on the issue of the “Big Picture” quality of missionaries at work.

Connely and Roberts say the following about the stories tied to our mission field:

YOUR MISSION FIELD’S STORIES

Everyone has stories. Some are personal; many are shared with others. One person might be traumatized by an auto accident, but an entire community might mourn the loss of a beloved neighbor. A raise might impact a family, while excitement at their baby’s birth ripples through their extended community. Each of our mission fields are filled with stories, some personal and some corporate. Everyday missionaries learn the stories of our mission fields for two reasons. First, stories help display worldviews, values, and beliefs. Second, stories show points of rejection or connection to the gospel. What do we listen for as we hear stories? Here are a few elements:

-What’s this person’s/community’s history?
-Where do they find their identity?
-In what do they put their hope?
-What are “wins and losses” this person/community has faced?
-What wounds exist?
-What are they hardened to?
-What do they love?
-What do they spend time and money on?
-What does this person/community value?
-In what ways are they indignant; in what areas do they feel entitled?

These questions are good ones for us to consider.  Take some time this week to ponder on these issues.  Take notes or keep a journal on what you discover. Don’t assume that you know the answers, though you might.  Keep an open mind and pray that the Holy Spirit will give you a clear vision.

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Categories: Missional Living, Primer for Everyday Mission
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