Three Keys to Release Mission Movement in the Context of Two-Thirds World Churches
Fohle Lygunda li-M
Background assessment
Two-Thirds World countries have been for a long time described as missions fields for Western Churches. Missionaries went from West (North America and Europe) to Asia, Africa and South and Latin America. This perception of miss was encouraged by the link that exists between poverty and unreached people. In his book published first in 1792, William Carey said that the inhabitants of Africa and the region around were in general "poor, barbarous, naked, pagan, as destitute of civilization, as . . . of true religion."1
As Tite Tiénou says in his article, “we have been using the same language in missiological descriptions and training for two hundred years”.2 The result has been that one could not assume that missionaries would move out from the Two-Thirds World to rich countries because they were supposedly “already” Christians; therefore, mission was synonymous with wealth. That is why when I first talked about commitment to mission in our denomination in 1997, people used to make this statement: “Shut up Fohle! Are you foolish? What are you looking for? As long as you do not receive a regular salary, where will you get money from to send out missionaries?” Such understanding of mission has long been leading churches in Two-Thirds World to be pessimistic about gettinginvolved in outreach missions. Most of them, if not all, have given up. Unfortunate!
Why is it? Is it not possible to find resources (human, spiritual, material and financial) in Africa for all kinds of missions (m-0, M-1, M-2)3? In another article my concern was to address those questions and to show that even though Africa has may problems, God is working.4 God allowed me to share this issue with students of our Missions Center and with hundreds of Christian leaders who attended the mission's seminars; we organized in may cities throughout central Africa countries in January-February, 2004. Participants came to the conclusion that this was the revelation they needed to join God in his mission in the world. This means that if our churches have been slow to catch the vision and to be engaged in mission adventures in spite of their destitution, the main reason was their lack of knowledge. Hosea said, "the people of God perish by ignorance" (4:6)
Thas is why we agree with the opinion of those who claim that the Two-Thirds World churches represent the force for the world mission in the years to come. To overcome such a challenge, we should inform, motivate and engage church members. But there will not be any missions commitment with missions revival which can lead us towards a responsible commitment for harvest. We think that information, motivation and engagement are three keys that churches in the Two-Thirds World need to release, by the Holy Spirit, the mission movement to cross frontiers and to open the doors of the Kingdom of God to may unreached peoples.
How can we act to release a missions movement ?
I illustrate three key words by means of an example. First step: A harmful insect hangs on my arm. A friend of mine helps me to know that something is on a part of my body and shows me the place. I am informed and realize that something strange is on me. This insect is harmful to my health. The second step will be for me to decide to take it off. So, I am motivated, not just informed. That is why I will be engaged in seeking means: either using a stick or shaking my arm. This is a process we’d better follow to get our people involved in missions: making them aware of unreached people and their fate, motivating them by training (not just teaching) them, and engaging them by giving them opportunities to act.
I’d like to make two points more clear here. At first, the fact that these three keys are not as magic as one could think. They are just a human part of the global mission of God. In His sovereignty, God engages us in our responsibility to participate in His work. We are His partners, and that is why we have to act in spite of our limitations. Using these keys is our part in God’s mission. The Holy Spirit will make sense to our effort to release the mission movement. Without the Holy Spirit, there should not be missions awareness and commitment! The second fact is that those keys are interrelated. The using of one leads to others. You can not use one without touching others. They are connected in one bunch.
The history of missions teaches that in other cases, the process was not necessary like following step one… two… and then three. However, if we expect a responsible commitment, these three keys are important. People need to be aware, motivated, and engaged, or in other words, they need information, training and engagement. Our experience teaches us that most of our churches do not give such opportunities to the people of God.
We can envision some activities for the local church to release the mission movement. They relate to the three actions we have just mentioned: to inform so that they can be aware of mission concern, to train so that they can be motivated (not just to accumulate knowledge), and to engage so that they can start little by little (through M-0 to M-3). Our propositions are suggestive and can be contextualized in each situation.
1. Information (Purpose: Get people aware of the urgency of missions challenge)
In a context of illiteracy, which is increasing in Africa, it is a matter of privilege for some people to have access to the information on what happens in the world. In many regions of the Two-Third World, just a few people are aware of the reality of the world. So is it the world's need of the salvation. Surely, the people of God perish by ignorance! In the desert, many of the Israelites continued to perish from snakebites because they did not look at the gold-snake make by Moses. We can guess that by being concentrated on their pain, they lacked time to lift up their eyes to see the gold snake and then regain health. (cf Numbers 21:8).
According to the statistic reports, about 4 billion people die hopelessly because they do not look at Jesus, the Savior of the humankind (cf. John 3 :14,15). Why do billions dye so ? We can suggest two reasons. First, because they are not aware of their deep situation. The second reason is the lack of available people to help them realize that their situation requires them to invite Jesus in their lives (John 3:16) so that they can escape from the judgement (John 3:18). These very answers lead to two reasons explaining why 4 billion people are still out of the sheepfold of our Lord (John 10:16). First because they never heard about Jesus. In Africa, we have thousands of Pygmies scattered in eight countries living in the rain forest. They do not have access to radios, television, newspapers, telephones, cars, etc. Other animistic people live in the same situation, dying without having the opportunity to hear the message of the salvation. Secondly, other people have heard the Gospel but they are not willing to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, the Savior of humankind. They exist in thousands in Africa. Animistic Fulani people and Moslem for instance belong to this group. Our Ecclesioncentric claim, instead of Christocentric message, makes them confused. The unfinished task of the Church is to get them aware of their current situation and their eternal desstiny with Christ, only Christ, as a guarantee.
But why do most Christians not facilitate the task to those billions? Two reasons can be suggested. First because they are themselves blind and cannot see the world in God's manner. Their world-view is not the same as God's. They do not see how the harvest is ready (cf. John 4:35). Second, because they may be influenced by the evil of selfishness, hatred and suspicion like Jonah who refused the salvation to the Ninivites. Most Christians work "in the box", being limited by the M-0 missions are forgetting their M-1, M-2, M-3 task. Our denominationalism is not different to Jonah's reaction. When we are not willing to cross our geographical, cultural, and ideological borders, we are not different to Jonah's action. We'd better be aware of the will of God for the billions of unreached people (1 Timothy 2:4) and of their eternal life (John 3:18).
Most of our Biblical schools and theological seminaries need more information in order to be truly laboratories where missions-workers can be prepared. Experience shows that many students complete their studies without being aware of God’s movement among unreached people. Most of them are pleased with a local ministry, doing administration or pastoral care for their ‘own’ church. In Africa, if schools and seminaries had access to internet, they should be a blessing not just for students, but also for teachers who do not have the opportunity to use a computer! They would click on some websites5 and realize how plentiful the harvest is. Wiliam Carey, 'father of modern missions' was challenged for mission's commitment in the 18th century after he discovered the statistics on Indians.
To overcome this challenge, we’d better help people of God by organizing seminars, conferences, workshops on missions … for pastors, elders, deacons, and other church leaders and members. A missionary should be invited to talk about what God is doing through his or her cross-cultural experience. Sometimes, a guest speaker with a strong commitment should be hosted to share the vision and the challenge of mission today. Church leaders can be encouraged to attend missions gatherings held in the context of an inter-church mind. In North America, Urbana Conferences have been for a long time instrumental to God for the mission call of many. That is what we have been doing in Central Africa since 2000 with tremendous results. The Missions Center in the Heart of Africa comes from those gatherings. We will be holding another Missions conference in December 9-12, 2004 for about 500 people from different denominations. The theme will be: God is seeking partners who transcend the geographical, cultural and self-interest barriers.
Two illustrations
In African Traditional Religions, the common characteristic about world-view is the existence of a supreme being who is the author of all things. We Africans, even before the Gospel came, have hade awareness of God named Mungu, Akongo, Mongali, Nzakomba, Iyongeayonga, etc. But that God is Transcendent, too far for us to be in touch with Him. That is why unbelieving Africans used to make a dozen of intermediate divinities. They had to sacrifice sometimes for the need of children, or for the sake of sickness, of hunting, of fishing, etc. Paul is correct when he says: “Knowing that God exists, they did not glorify him as God” (Ro.1:21). But in Jesus, we know that even though God is Transcendent, he is also Immanent. He is taking the first step to join us, and when we search him, he is “findable” (Je. 29:13). This is the message for Africans and for all other people on earth. In our past ignorance, we could not benefit by this privilege.
In our context of illiterate, proverbs are helpful to communicate an ethos. We can use modern technology to facilitate this kind of communication in a broad attendance: video-screen and tapes, broadcasting, photos, etc. We have a proverb in Lingala to explain what Hosea says: “People of God perish by ignorance” (Hos.4:6). We say: “Bozoba ekosa ngando” (Crocodile perished by ignorance). The story runs as follows. One day, crocodile went out of the river, suning himself. While he was there, a hunter put a trap in his way. When it began raining, crocodile fled to the river through this way and was caught by the trap! He fled from one kind of water to another, and he lost his life! God has a project for his people (Je.29:11). He promised a blessing for those who turn other people to the right path, “they will shine like the stars for ever” (Dan.12:3). If you go out of your ‘river’, it is not a loss. We have to act ‘out-box’; let us go out of our comfortable zone to carry on blessing!
2. Training (Purpose: Teach for transformation so that people can be motivated)
In Africa, there are many preachers of the Gospel, but there are few as teachers of the Word of God. By preaching, one person communicated the Gospel and leads listeners to the salvation-faith. All Christians do have this faith by believing in Jesus. The degree of this faith should be the same to all believers. But by teaching, one person transmits the knowledge of the Word of God, leading to an acting-faith. This faith accompanies a Christian in his life. Its degree varies from one person to another. When Jesus said to his disciples: "If you have the faith like this see, you can command this mountain to move", he was talking about the acting-faith. James says, "faith without actions is dead" (James 2:26).
Our churches would better facilitate members to add the acting-faith to their salvation-faith. The degree of the acting-faith will increase. We have to teach the all counsels of the whole Word of God. However, it is not simply a matter of transmission of knowledge. To teach means transmit the new knowledge; but to train means to help someone to improve his or her skills. Teaching is not necessary training. However, you cannot train without teaching. Training is teaching for the transformation, transferring skills. Churches have to really train their members. Instead of training pastors exclusively, we must help all the church members to be equipped for the work of the ministry (Eph.4:11,12).
To overcome the challenge of unreached people, we should consider mission as an important subject in our preaching and teaching. Three aspects will be clarified: etymological and theological understanding with implication to churches; how to reflect and do mission in a crisis context; what can be the contribution of each church member in the world mission. The purpose is first to help participants to win their ignorance about the concept of mission, because this concept has been widely misunderstood by most of our church members. Secondly, the task will consist in helping participants, not just to gain knowledge, but to catch the missionary vision and to share it with others. That leads to hold a special training for those with a special call for the world mission. The members of the leadership of the local church need a special training, too. The purpose will be that of improving their skills in discipling and mobilizing their church members to take a step in the task of mission.
Our Biblical and theological training seminaries need such impetus as they are engaged in preparing the people for the ministry. In spite of diversity of their education level, we would suggest that the mission course must figurate in all their curriculum. It has been clearly attested that most graduate candidates had lost the vision of mission. Most of them join churches without a vision of their own ministry, many with a materialistic vision, and others with a confused vision. We used to say that pastoral ministry becomes “what-one-person-does-after-being-fallen-elsewhere.”
Africa, and other continents of the two-thid world, needs special schooling on both the cross-cultural ministry and the mission reflection (missiology). We must not have to get involved in cross-cultural ministry without getting it along with a reflection that is responsible and contextualized.
3. Engagement (Purpose: To get people of God involved in world mission action)
The common risk is that of talking about mission without direct implication and result. Theories on mission may have value unless they produce result and fruit. This is a critical step, which will sustain and develop the vision within a church. After a conference or a seminar, people emotionally give a false impression of catching the vision. Usually, this emotional engagement does not dwell in their daily action. We had better engage people in action without delay!
The temptation is that of waiting for provision before catching the vision. Most of us in Two-Third context would like to gain all provision we need before thinking of some actions to be taken for the cross-cultural ministry of the church. That is contrasting God’s process. God usually gives provision to accomplish the vision that is already caught. God infuses the vision into a person before allocating provision to him. Vision precedes provision! The vision is what God wants us to do. The provision is all resources (human, spiritual, material, and financial) God provides so that we can accomplish the task that we have from God. This truth has been demonstrated throughout the church history. Weak beginnings started faithfully with a clear purpose will lead to a wonderful result. We need at first a stick in our hand before making miracles (case of Moses before the king of Egypt); we need five breads and two fishes before gaining the container of goods to help the crowd (case of disciples before 5.000 persons); we need at first the passion before setting fire to a whole people (case of William Carey before Indians).
To overcome the challenge of unreached peoples despite our pauperization context, we must dare do something: to hold periodical and regular prayer meetings (intercession, fasting, over-night gatherings…) on “mission revival” for pastors and deacons, and other members of the leadership of the local church. To set up a group of intercessors who will keep watch over the mission revival and engagement of the church. That is a group of persons “who could build a wall, who could stand in the places where the walls have crumbled and defend the land when the anger of God is about to destroy it” (Ezekiel 22:30). Only the Holy Spirit can make spiritual revival in the heart of the people of God. Without this special work of the Holy Spirit, our mission project will remain a dream. We have also to plan for a special offering and raise funds for the cross-cultural ministry. Finally, we have to organize mission trips (one or more than one week) to the neighbor village, city, region, country where unreached groups are located. Those trips should create interest in the church.
People can be involved in mission in four manners: by encouraging other church members to engage in mission projects, by praying faithfully for the mission endeavor, by offering regularly for the mission effort, and by going to the mission field. These four actions complement each other and produce the same result. Jesus said: “…Take a good look at the fields… So the man who sows and the man who reaps will be glad together… One man sows, another man reaps…” (John 4:35-37). Those who accomplish one or another action work for the same purpose: winning souls for Christ. None is most important. Paul stated: “But how can they call to him for help if they have not believed? And how can they believe if they have not heard the message? And how can they hear if the message is not proclaimed? And how can the message be proclaimed if the messengers are not sent out?” (Romans 10:14,15). Each person is accountable!
Biblically, the mission is a sign of unity of the church and the partnership between Christian communities is an opportunity to overcome many struggles. In mission partnership, Christian communities should add some other virtues to their vivacity (liveliness) and tenacity (persistence). Those virtues are: vision, knowledge, consecration, perseverance, maturity and experience. Some authors attribute these virtues to the churches through the world in the following manner: while African churches are recognized for their vivacity and tenacity, Asian churches have been characterized by their consecration and perseverance, European churches by their maturity and their experience, American churches by their vision and their knowledge. We also know that all these virtues can be seen in one continent, some within one or another Christian community. In partnership, Christian communities must join their effort by putting together their virtues to make mission possible.
Conclusion
After having revealed to Peter his project of building his Church, Jesus talked about the keys: “I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 16:18). In spite of commentaries on the keys and on their use by Peter, the Biblical conclusion is clear: that Jesus is the chief of the Church, that in its visible reality the Church is led by weak people like Peter, that the church exists to open the door to the worldwide population, that the proclamatio of the Gospel is the only one key to help people to enter the kingdom of God, and that all Christians can use this key for the blessing of others, etc.
Today, two-third (4 billion) of the world’s population still living without Christ. They do not have the hope of eternal life in Christ. “But… how can they believe if they have not heard the message? And how can they hear if the message is not proclaimed? And how can the message be proclaimed if the messengers are not sent out?”
The purpose of this paper was to demonstrate that our churches need three keys to release the mission movement among Christian communities to the unreached groups. These keys will allow the church members in the Two-Thirds World to send their own missionaries to open the door of the Kingdom to other people. Let us use the keys of mobilizing, training and sending without delay and we will see what the Holy Spirit is about to accomplish through our weakness.
Back to Top
[1] Quoted by Tite Tiénou, “The Training of Missiologists for an African Context” in J. Dudley Woodberry et al, Missiological Education for the 21st Century (Maryknoll:Orbis Books, 1997), p.95.
[3] Missiologists use M-1 for mission in own culture, M-2 in similar culture and M-3 in a very different culture. They coin this language from the plan Jesus gave to his disciples in Ac 1:8: You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem (M-0), in Judea (M-1), in Samaria (M-2) to the extremity of the earth (M-3).
[4] Fohle Lygunda li-M, “Dieu à l’oeuvre dans une Afrique embarassée” (God is working in a confused Africa) inédit (Bangui: CEMICA, 2003).
[5] Some of them are: www/worldchristiandatabase.org/wcd (World Christian Database) ; www.joshuaproject.net Joshua Project Website) ; www.peoplegroups.org (Peoples groups).
