What's Next?Sample

What’s Next: Working with our Global Church Worldwide Partners

As someone who grew up in the Silicon Valley of Northern California, literally down the street from Apple, I was taught from birth: you live in the most important area of the most important state of the most important country in the world. So, you begin to believe you have much to teach others, but there is little others can teach you. 

For the past 150 years, we [Americans] have been passionate about spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ around the world. We take seriously the challenge to “Go into all the world and make disciples of all nations.” The problem is, as we have done this, we’ve been just as passionate about spreading our culture, politics, and economics as we have been spreading the Gospel.

Now we need to deal with it. We need to deal with the destructive nature of nationalism and colonialism. 

Many of us from the States who go on short-term trips are intent on teaching other cultures “how to do things right.” I don’t think we mean to do it. We are just used to being that way. 

I remember meeting a group of youth leaders in Guatemala recently and asking them about how they do youth ministry. As they were sharing, my mind kept telling me, “Hmm... If they only did it this OTHER way they’d probably reach more kids for Jesus.” I assumed I knew how to do it better, yet I didn’t grow up Kakchiquel. How could I know?

The Bible is clear about a few things. 

“We are citizens of HEAVEN, where the Lord Jesus lives.” (Philippians 3:20) 

As believers, we are all citizens of heaven together, even if our cultures and nationalities are different. Our Global Church [worldwide] partners are equal to us in the eyes of God. 

Isn’t it great to work with our Global partners as equals and fellow citizens of heaven on short-term trips?

Humility trumps privilege. “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had … he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave ….” (Philippians 2:5-7) 

What an opportunity we have to give up our privilege, power, and leadership on short-term trips, so the Global Church can truly lead us and teach us!

The apostle Peter was confronted with the fact that HE, as a Jew, didn’t know everything. He met a Roman officer, Cornelius, who shared the message of Jesus, and the entire household was saved. Then they even received the Holy Spirit! 

“The Jewish believers who came with Peter were amazed that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles too.” (Acts 10:45)  

What, them too?! The Global Church, filled with the Spirit of God, helps us learn about who God is and how he works in our world. 

The Global Church is ready to teach us. The Global Church is ready to lead us. The days when Americans thought they had to teach everything to everyone else never needed to happen. 

Here are our NEXT STEPS: be quiet, sit, listen, learn, and humble ourselves at the feet of the Global Leaders. They are filled with the Holy Spirit. They are citizens of Heaven. 

For all involved in short-term trips, this is our latest and greatest challenge. 

These are our NEXT STEPS: to truly have mutually designed partnerships on every trip and to be willing to give up our privileges and leadership in order to serve WITH and UNDER the Global Church. 

We want to thank Dale Lusk, Founder - Consultant of MERGE with The Evangelical Covenant Church for contributing this day's plan content.