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notdrinkingthekoolaid · 04-08-2011, 01:22 PM

Thanks for starting this thread. Unfortunately I feel like I'm late to the party and ya'll have already chewed on the good stuff. You've hit all the major points of discussion. Good job!

**diachenko** · 04-08-2011, 02:07 PM

(04-08-2011 01:22 PM)notdrinkingthekoolaid Wrote: Thanks for starting this thread. Unfortunately I feel like I'm late to the party and ya'll have already chewed on the good stuff. You've hit all the major points of discussion. Good job!

Ah, but what do YOU think? Weigh in! Smile

notdrinkingthekoolaid · 04-08-2011, 05:06 PM

(04-08-2011 02:07 PM)diachenko Wrote: Ah, but what do YOU think? Weigh in!

Ok...you asked! lol

Deputation is an AWFUL idea. Seems to me that if you are "called" to be a missionary, you shouldn't have to go sell yourself like a used car salesman just to get support to go. What if you aren't particularly convincing or well connected and the support never comes in?

As for missionaries...I don't think it's "stepping out in faith" to expect someone else to pay for your lifestyle. Which is essentially what MANY missionaries do. I realize that working in a developing country doesn't allow a missionary to support themselves if opportunity for income is low, but how many other missionaries are working in countries where they COULD support themselves? Additionally...how many fundy missionary families do you know who have large families? Children are a blessing--I have a few of my own, but don't expect other people to support your supersized family because of YOUR calling.

Last but not least...I can NOT stand the concept that missionaries are somehow "superChristians" because they decided to go "suffer for Jeezus" in some place other than the lower 48. My own parents decided to go be missionaries after retirement. Watching them be put on a pedestal for their choice, caused the beginning of my choice to leave fundamentalism. To everyone in our church (we attended the same one at the time), they were making this huge sacrifice. To me...they were my very human, very flawed parents who were doing a good thing, but nothing extraordinary. I see in them an arrogant sense of entitlement that has grown in the last couple years and spills over into their relationships with family, not just in how they treat supporters and church members.

So that's what I think. Not ALL missionaries fall into these categories. I know there are gems out there working faithfully and humbly...but those are the exceptions.

**diachenko** · (This post was last modified: 04-09-2011 02:02 AM by diachenko.)

(04-08-2011 05:06 PM)notdrinkingthekoolaid Wrote: Last but not least...I can NOT stand the concept that missionaries are somehow "superChristians" because they decided to go "suffer for Jeezus" in some place other than the lower 48.

That fits right in with the "full-time Christian ministry" idea that was so pounded into us. "Being a preacher or missionary is the best calling!!" No, it is a calling. Why should it be any better than a retail manager, a music teacher, a plumber, a businessman, etc. If you believe that God calls people to specific avenues of service, then the fact that He calls someone to be a veterinarian makes that person just as important as the local pastor to the work of Christ and the spread of the Gospel. The calling isn't the important part. It's Who the call comes from.

notdrinkingthekoolaid · 04-09-2011, 10:07 AM

(04-09-2011 02:02 AM)diachenko Wrote:
(04-08-2011 05:06 PM)notdrinkingthekoolaid Wrote: Last but not least...I can NOT stand the concept that missionaries are somehow "superChristians" because they decided to go "suffer for Jeezus" in some place other than the lower 48.

That fits right in with the "full-time Christian ministry" idea that was so pounded into us. "Being a preacher or missionary is the best calling!!" No, it is a calling. Why should it be any better than a retail manager, a music teacher, a plumber, a businessman, etc. If you believe that God calls people to specific avenues of service, then the fact that He calls someone to be a veterinarian makes that person just as important as the local pastor to the work of Christ and the spread of the Gospel. The calling isn't the important part. It's Who the call comes from.

The Church (in general) is a body, which means that every member of that body cannot perform the same work for the body to function properly. That translates to different careers as well as including both genders in the "proper function" of a church body (in my opinion). We all bring something different and necessary to the table and it's not a matter of superiority if you are plumber or a pastor.