For some it is always easier to through money at a need or mission rather then actually becoming physically involved with the issues at hand.
In what ways do we as leaders encourage people to take part and "do/live" mission rather then simply bankrolling it?
Comments
It is so true that short term mission trips have a great impact on peoples faith as well as the authentic community which develops between them Tim. The goal is in carrying that same Spirit into the local community once groups have returned to there homes.
In truth, this question stemmed from my own efforts here in Canada to ignite a missional movement. Both my wife and I are in wheelchairs and "short term" mission trips are challenging at best which is why we tend to focus more on the local missional needs rather then the extended ones. In that sense it seems many are willing to support these needs financially provided there is some measure of "qualified" success yet what seems a case of apathy to be involved physically in that mission field. My hope is to find perhaps some new imaginative ways in which to encourage local missional activity beyond the pocket hand outs and clergy mandates/staffing.
Thanks so much for the encouraging comment and the vision to take Jesus' Kingdom to the many hearts and minds which you encounter!
Erik, I also desire to see missional movements happen in my local setting. It seems to me that many folks in the institutional church setting deal with living missionally by giving money to those that are living the mission. And not only that, but their giving is tied to perceived success. It's seems like a return on investment mentality kind of like investing money in the stock market. Now I'm all for using our brains to be involved in things that work. BUT we can't base our decisions only on pragmatic thinking. We need to step out in faith right where God has placed us. We need to see that it's not a return on investment ethos but a pay it forward ethos that scripture screams for.