Goals 3,4, & 5 Partnering Cross-Culturally

Desires three, four and five...continued...

Click to review goals for partnering here.
Click to review goals one and two here.

Desires three and four provide a way that will lead speakers and coordinators to efficiently undertake a challenge not only to teach others but also to learn from their new experiences. Speakers and coordinators can better learn how to lead and pass on knowledge (ideas) that will prayerfully help others feel comfortable to use in their areas. As far as the steps that are taken or the actual messages that were to be given, at first I had no insight in this matter of where to begin.

The fifth desire consisted of organizing a panel for discussion among coordinators, speakers, leaders, and missionaries wherein each person could learn from one another how to create an effective conference as well as a comfortable environment for one. If so, there should be some way that these participants could collaborate with one another regardless of geographical boundaries. Communication was necessary; therefore, I encouraged the interaction among the organizers on a regular basis.

Apart from the desire to implement effectively these ideas and goals, I hoped that all women involved, whether those organizing, speaking, or participating, would be fed spiritually during the preparation time and conference.

In the beginning I had a feeling that this task would be very hard to complete. But with much prayer and direction from the Lord, I knew that all things are possible with Him (Matthew 19:26). We may feel unqualified, but anyone who follows the will of the Lord will be given from Him the ability to succeed.

When I first contacted the Russian sister, she was skeptical for two reasons. She desired pastoral approval and did not know that we already had it. She did not personally know the volunteers that would be speaking at the conference and wanted to receive biographies to first understand their hearts. So, I knew that I must get busy, because the job was going to be difficult yet also pleasing. That is, I had to accomplish her desires and to help her understand that it was all possible if we worked together.

However, by the tone of her voice I noticed that she was especially skeptical of the idea of organizing a conference with volunteers. In the past some volunteers have come to accomplish their desires and have not been sensitive to the culture and desires of the people that they are coming to minister to and help.

When organizing a conference, it is a plus to have a veteran coordinator or missionary involved in the planning. It also helps to first have the approval of the national pastors and the trust of the brothers and sisters of the church in place before the women’s director (head national leader) is approached.

With these beginning desires and steps, I look forward to sharing more with you about the direction I took. I wanted the conference to allow its participants to grow spiritually and eventually learn how to build a women’s ministry of their own.
-The Chosen Path, L. Burch, "goals in ministry"

There's a lot of talk going on right now...

A famous childhood tune rings in my ears as I place my fingers on the keyboard this morning: “The foolish man built his house upon the sand…And the walls came tumbl’in down…The wise man built his house upon the Rock…And the wise man’s house stood firm!”

David truly was an interesting biblical character. One minute he was in the pit of despair (Psalm 22) and the next minute he was singing with the saints for joy (Psalm 30). Peter was another one who denied Christ one day (John 18) and walked on water in total trust the next (Matthew 14). Sometimes my emotions jump back and forth the same I am ashamed to say, maybe not as often as David’s. I try to keep them in check and remain firm and solid. I want my family and friends to always know what is important and of value to me; I want them to see me as stable.

I have been reading a lot lately about the predicament we seem to be facing as a Southern Baptist Convention and as an international and home missions sending organization. Should we continue to call ourselves by the same name? Should our missions organizations combine to be more cost and witness effective? I am serving in a country where religious law and freedom is wavering. Recent regulations are under discussion concerning the Baptist’s ministry outside the church building ceasing in Russia. I have seen so much change while living here and adapted. But today my heart is really burdened for not only Russia but also America. The US seems to be in a danger zone, too. Waking up every morning to check the news of America, I sometimes feel ill. It appears that our character is swaying back and forth, not only politically but religiously. At least we knew where David and Peter really stood. I thank the Lord for the churches today that are setting the example. I find myself daily looking for the positive that I do see. Maybe in a small way, I can help, also, by praying constantly and exemplifying a positive attitude and not camping out on the negative.

Some say writing is a way to relieve stress. I have found this to be true. So, as I sit in front of this blue and white screen, I type the thoughts that come to mind. When I think about the history of Southern Baptist, I read through articles that speak of our initial beliefs and views toward slavery. From there we take a shift and apologize for not being diverse and now unite together regardless of race. We have had thoughts before about changing our name. There has been a shift to conservatism, especially where our seminaries and institutions were concerned. I watched as this was happening in the late 80s and early 90s as we enrolled at Southeastern in 1993. And now we have another goal to push a conservative movement and a recall to the Great Commission overall. I am presently praying strongly for our convention and the call to lead the nations to Him and embrace the Great Commission even firmer. I am conservative to the core and stand on the Bible as inerrant, infallible and inspired. God came to save all people of all nations and culture. And Jesus is the only Way. God is love.

Over the past 12 years, I have watched our American Baptist churches take a huge shift in look and style. Once there was such a thing as a pulpit. Now the popular stage area holds a stool, chair and table. My memories and history of the church are those a little more reserved. I remember when pastors were skeptical about having the hymns appear on a PowerPoint. I serve in a country with the Baptist Union where the pulpit is a place that is somewhat thought of as holy. In the US today some church buildings look more like sports arenas. I have watched from afar how pool parties have replaced church dinner fellowships. Preachers in torn blue-jeans and earrings have replaced preachers in suits and ties. These are great topics of discussions and facts of change. Times have changed and a new generation has moved in—a new culture.

However, without being philosophical about which is right and which is wrong, I want to focus on what I think is the underlining root problem, more than what our building or institution “looks” like. We can leave that discussion for another day. At that time we can still study Matthew 7 and the context of not judging others, asking and it be given to us, entering through the narrow and wide gate and noticing a tree by the fruit it bears, being careful not to give our teaching over to dogs (hypocrites or false prophets) or casting our “pearl” before swine.

The deepest root problem is not really how we look anymore, what we call ourselves, what programs we use, the colors painted on the walls of our youth building, it is that some have strayed from our roots and foundation. Can we be like and look like we used to? No, it is impossible. I think we are concerned about our physical appearance and comfort levels, though, too much right now; we need to focus on our spiritual ones.

We need to be centered on Him and His mission. Pleasing and entertaining people or congregations have replaced feeding, shepherding and nurturing believers. Building a huge sanctuary has replaced the desire to build up the body of Christ. Increasing numbers has replaced in many cases truly finding the lost sheep and bringing them into the fold and caring for them. Bringing in popular programs, literature and secular videos that are “appealing to the eye” have replaced reading, citing and preaching God’s Word before the local body. Techniques to attract the community are seen as extreme. When in reality, radical revival and renewal is all we need.

So changing our name or combining or not combining organizations is not the biggest question. Let us just rally together, standing on the solid Rock. The rock that does not waver, that does not pacify just for comfort, that does not lie to gain popularity, that is not hypocritical or ashamed to speak Biblical principles, etc. There is no way that we are going to solve this “dilemma” if we do not remember our foundation—Christ—and build there (Matthew 7:24). It is that simple: The wise man built his house on the Rock! Our nation and politics will get back in order when we stand on the solid Rock and preach “In God We Trust”!
-The Chosen Path, L.Burch

Best Practices Book Review and Reflection

Select ladies of ERBB participated in two Best Practices meetings. These were for the wives of IMB leaders and a team leader in European Russia. No one person was in charge or responsible for teaching the entire time. I named this type of meeting or model: The Roundtable of Lady Mission Leaders. I combined the two concepts of facilitation and collaborative discussion. Our time was divided into four areas—learning, fellowship, praying, and sharing. The learning part consisted of resource reading and each person being responsible for teaching the group about the new concepts learned. The books were related to Women in Leadership, missions, Orthodoxy, feminist hermeneutics, etc. Posted below is my review and reflection.

Best Practices Report
Leslie Burch, Russian Cluster, 2009
 
Author’s Right to Discuss Topic
In this reading, Women in Mission, Smith (2007) has the right to speak on the subject, because she served in overseas work. She was in Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea and Ethiopia. She also worked with an organization for justice development and lived among the Maori tribe of New Zealand. Her involvement there played a huge role in the understanding “of European people in their involvement with indigenous peoples” (p. xiii).

Summary
The author presented various types of mission work, mostly from the Catholic faith or perspective. Seemingly the most successful works were those with efforts to help the poor. Especially where women in mission was concerned, the female workers were respected and given the opportunity to participate in humanitarian helps. These types of deeds were considered a possibility for women, but a leadership role of any form was not allowed for many years. Many eventually proved their loyalty and knowledge of business and were given the right to run a convent, home or school. Also a woman who lived a life of service and suffering was respected more and recognized as a true missionary—a devoted servant. The missionary that empathized more with her people was placed in a higher position of influence, thus being allowed to present request and seek permissions before male leadership. Eventually an authoritarian role may have been granted.

Mother Teresa was one such example; though, she valued more what she taught her disciples (followers) than what position or title she held. According to the author, Mother Teresa’s “lack of enthusiasm for a feminist agenda and her acceptance of the economic, political, and ecclesiastical status quo in the countries where her sisters work have gained here many admirers who regard her as a role model for contemporary Catholic women missionaries…For them the immediate physical needs of the destitute have remained their apostolic priority” (Smith, 2007, p. 133-134).

In the first few chapters, the author defends in favor of women in leadership as she references various scriptures to prove her point. Nevertheless, I did not agree with her observations in many cases, but I definitely learned some ideas and beliefs that feminist hermeneutics present. For example, I was surprised that the author sought to validate a point for godly women leaders, but the women were actually living a lie to make their stand. In 1 Timothy 5 we read on the topic of widows. Smith concludes that “the order of widows might have been attracting celibate women, who remembering the freedom and equality of the first generation Christian communities, believed that widowhood would have allowed them to assume public leadership roles in the community” (2007, p. 34).

The author referenced the era, mostly from Paul’s writings, as a patriarchal time period where wives were subject to their husbands and the father figure was in control. The culture in this age of the New Testament writings presented a hardship for women to be recognized or accepted to any position of authority; however, she referred to some of Paul’s writings, specifically his earlier ones or in her opinion writings before his death, as letters in favor of women as co-workers or apostles with Paul. I disagree with several of the statements she presented, but I am now aware of other theological and philosophical views that I did not know existed. But I do understand some of her viewpoints and accept them as possible means in support of women in respected roles of leadership. For instance, in the New Testament we are aware that women were helpers in encouraging, discipling and leading other believers. There are multiple names mentioned in the Bible where women were seen as those who were faithful to their tasks (i.e, Mary Magdalene [Mark 15:40-41], Mother of Zebedee’s sons [Matthew 27:56], Anna, the prophetess [Luke 2:36], Phoebe [Romans 16:1], Priscilla [Romans 16:3], etc.). Also in many of Paul’s letters women were seen and recognized as influential “to the church in thy house” (Philemon 2).

Application and Reflection
The focal point of the book that I wish to elaborate and reflect on is how or what type of mission work was most successful in the Catholic faith, not how she attempted to prove a woman’s right to lead. After reading the book, I discovered that I was not using some of these avenues of missions in my own life. Also while contemplating where the Catholic faith is strong in missions, I began to question where I sensed the IMB’s strongest emphasis was. When I think of Catholic work, the first thought that surfaces is humanitarian aid. For IMB work I concluded that the dominant push is for church planting. Most of the ladies in our Best Practices Meeting from ERBB (European Russia, Baltics and Belarus) agreed with my conclusions. Of course, IMB participates in the humanitarian field of service, but it is not the most known area.

I considered the following a huge step in my new findings. As missionary women we can be better leaders and professionals by evaluating our work on a regular basis. We must keep an open mind and step outside of our “boxes” or normal way of doing missions to improve methods for leading the masses (nations) to the Savior, especially in our assigned areas of responsibility. It is wise to look at other organizations and determine where they are most effective and incorporate their ideas as well.

Briefly I will first explain by means of application. I have noticed more homeless narcotics even at our church, and I am discipling a lady whose husband is an alcoholic—a form of lifestyle that I have no close relation. Honestly in the beginning, I wanted to toss this book away, because I did not agree with some of the author’s interpretation of Scripture. I am glad that I continued to read this book for this very reason—noticing these two people in need.

According to Smith (2007, pp. 147-160), Catholic mission work reported success with health care, various people groups, “foreign” missions, charity for the poor, social justice work, women in mission to the orphans, castaways, sick and needy, secular institutions and presence (suffering) among the people, why should we not? As missionaries we have a huge responsibility to our Russian brothers and sisters in Christ to help with one of the strongest growing movements for salvations, baptism and church growth today for one such model—work through rehabilitation centers. Especially with the recent regulations under discussion concerning the Baptist’s ministry outside the church building ceasing, we need to pray about these services. How we can partner with our local union for these efforts to continue? I would hate for us to walk away 10 years from now and wish we had done more, especially when this ministry has been in existence for at least six years already. Unfortunately as Southern Baptist or just missionaries in general, sometimes we do not take action until a decade later or a generation too late—a lost one.

Our church planting push may have more success in Russia if we tweak our focus or at least make sure that we include this type of mission work in our vision, masterplan, strategy and personal daily witness, instead of only attempting to start new churches with students, existing church small groups, English ministries, intelligentsia, etc., for example. Actually if we look at the study of the meaning of the Russian word intelligentsia or in Latin intelligentia, we discover that this is a group of people who study a better means for assisting society and to disseminate (broadcast influence) in one’s culture. This would be another interesting topic of further study, particularly in the Russian culture. If we befriended or partnered with more people of influence, we may have a better chance for the Lord’s work to be accomplished on a larger, communal scale.

One of my main ministries is at a Baptist church in Moscow, Russia. I teach, disciple and mentor English students and Sunday school teachers to use their spiritual gifts for the building up of the body of Christ. How can I lead them if I am not seeking to be more Christlike myself and love and help those in need? Jesus said in a parable in Matthew 25:40: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”


References
Smith, S. (2007). Women in Mission. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.

Do you see what I see?

The kids and I enjoyed working up a home video clip from the previous post- voice of silence. One of my task as an IMB missionary of the SBC is to lead you to be on mission with God. There are many ways you are involved in this: pray, give, partner and go to bring all peoples to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. I want to focus on prayer right now and to do my best from across the Atlantic Ocean to help you see what I see. Please join me for a 3 1/2 minute "prayerwalk"...

*click on the arrow tab below.


Or, you if you cannot play it here, click on:
E.zekiel.tv

Feel free to show this to various church groups and Sunday School classes.