This is the third in what has become a three-part series. Section one lightly sketches some reasons why IMB missionaries don’t frequent many churches, with the main thesis being churches no longer request missionaries as speakers. Part two is a more in-depth treatment of that initial thesis, pointing to trends and patterns which have led the […]
The Case of the Missing Missionaries and the Local Church
I’ve already written about how to get an IMB missionary to come to your church; basically it boils down to requesting someone to come. Today, I’d like to examine what might possibly have led churches to stop requesting missionaries and why missionaries, for their part, don’t seem to aggressively pursue venues in which to speak. […]
Why Don’t IMB Missionaries Ever Visit My Church?
I’ve come across an increasing number of comments in recent years regarding the absence of IMB missionaries from average churches across the SBC. Of course, this might be simply because I’m old and I’ve had more time to note these items; as well, this perspective might flow from chronological myopia. To review, IMB missionaries live […]
A Ramadan Dilemma
In about 9 days, Ramadan will kick off for Muslims around the world. Ramadan is the Muslim holy month, the same month during which the Quran was given to the Prophet. During the month, Muslims eat breakfast before their dawn prayers. They fast all day, give to the poor, and seek to live moral lives […]
Contrasting Views on a Future IMB President
The various perspectives on a new IMB president fascinate. I’d like to summarize and contrast three distinct perspectives that have been posted on SBC-oriented sites. If I am citing your work, authors, please note I could not possibly hit every nuance of your original writing; readers, please see the authors in their own words via […]
Pence, Women, and Ministry
Vice President Mike Pence made news in 2002, though no one noticed until last month. Pence invoked the Billy Graham rule about dining alone with women, and the internet had a bit of fun with the discovery. Others came to Pence’s defense, wondering just what the problem was. Christians are not alone in applying this […]
The Unemployable: When Missionaries Return
Time was when young men attended seminaries, became pastors, and moved outward to international harvest fields. They lived and preached in situ, aging for 30 years towards an eventual retirement in the U.S., a retirement filled – if desired – with revivals and interim pastoral roles. Not so much any more. Young men and now […]
Aren’t We Blessed?
The stories of Donald and Iris have reached perhaps their final installment. It’s nothing more than an examination of what it means to be human – and redeemed – in a world that has largely forgotten you, unless it’s to ensure you suffer and doubt. “We’re so blessed.” Donald turned to face Iris as she […]
Uncivically Engaged
I have a confession: I didn’t vote in the presidential election. I did not abstain due to distaste for the candidates. I wasn’t traveling that day, nor was my ballot misplaced. I just didn’t vote. Living overseas makes for some difficult voting processes, to be sure, but even if things were easy I wouldn’t have […]
Running With Muslims
“Get a little closer. Within two steps of me, babe; three, at most.” -Me, as Wife and I jogged past the mosque I worked second-shift when Wife and I married. I’d arrive home exhausted around 5:00 am and stagger to bed for a few hours of sleep before my other job – or my college […]
Request for Reading Lists and Materials : Your Top Five Recommendations
Try never to be the smartest person in the room. And if you are, I suggest you invite smarter people … or find a different room. – Michael Dell A tremendous challenge I face as an international missionary is being, in a manner of speaking, the smartest person in the room, biblically speaking. My job is […]
An Unwilling Transition
What’s up? Procrastination. What are you not doing? Everything but this. So packing? Selling? Saying good-bye? Zero progress. When’s the garage sale? Go away, Ethan. Two years ago we sold a ton of stuff, packed our remaining belongings, and moved from one international place of service to another in response to a change in calling. We left […]