I relate. This last weekend, my church (WestGate) started their Compassion Immersion series and I was included as one of their missionaries. I'll start by saying what a huge blessing this was - was able to share my story in brief at all 4 services and was so encouraged by the response. I'm the one who came away blessed.
As for the above Michael Phelps video? Each time I got up to share, I couldn't help but think, "Excuse me, I think there's been some mistake; I'm just normal." And somehow spotlights and microphones just don't coincide with normalcy. Neither does the word "missionary." With no offense meant here, I think the word "missionary" usually conjures up two (albeit faulty) pictures: (1) the missionary as the saint, holier-than-normal and endowed with skills, talents, and spiritual gifts way above average; or (2) the missionary as the (at least) slightly socially awkward, with a penchant for picking up languages easily and usually seen to be wearing turtleneck sweaters, ankle length jean skirts with a pair of tennis shoes and socks. Granted, other possibilities exist, but I'm generalizing to an extreme to make a point -- I don't fit into these categories...there's been a case of mistaken identity and really, I'm just a normal person...who decided to move to Africa because God told me to.
At this point, I hear my father's voice in my head prompting me to tell him what the Bible has to say on the subject....and here is what I have found (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong): I can't find the word "missionary" anywhere in the Bible. There are many things we are called to be and do as followers of Christ, but I can't find the place where God asks us to be "missionaries" specifically.
Listen to the dictionary definition of missionary:
mis·sion·ar·ies
1. One who is sent on a mission, especially one sent to do religious or charitable work in a territory or foreign country.
2. One who attempts to persuade or convert others to a particular program, doctrine, or set of principles; a propagandist.
Or Wikipedia would tell you a missionary is:
"a member of a religion who works to convert those who do not share the missionary's faith; someone who proselytizes."
These definitions bother me because of words like "propagandist" and "proselytizes;" after reading these I'm tempted to see the missionary as a type of "God's hitman." Is it the missionary agenda to spread propaganda or just to make someone reach that all-important point we call "conversion"?
Now I'm really feeling uncomfortable about being called a missionary. But if God doesn't ask to be missionaries, then what does He ask us to be?
2 Corinthians 5:20 says, "We are therefore Christ's AMBASSADORS, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."
Now contrast this definition:
am·bas·sa·dor
1. A diplomatic official of the highest rank appointed and accredited as representative in residence by one government or sovereign to another, usually for a specific length of time.
2. A diplomatic official heading his or her country's permanent mission to certain international organizations, such as the United Nations.
3. An authorized messenger or representative.
4. An unofficial representative: ambassadors of goodwill.
Or as Wikipedia would tell you, "an ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary is the highest ranking diplomat who represents their country. They are usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization, to serve as the official representative of their country."
I love that with this definition the "hitman" mentality is lost and instead we are to become relationaries that represent our God to a lost world. The goal is not conversion, it is relationship and reconciliation. The method is not to proselytize others, but to live a life that accurately represents the One who sent us.
And this calling is not just for some people - it's for all of us who call ourselves followers of Christ (back up just a few verses to 2 Cor 5:17, "If ANYONE is in Christ...").
And finally, the motive? LOVE.
"For Christ's LOVE compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves for for him who died for them and was raised again."
May we all be compelled by love to have relationships with others that give them a right picture of the God we serve.
As for the above Michael Phelps video? Each time I got up to share, I couldn't help but think, "Excuse me, I think there's been some mistake; I'm just normal." And somehow spotlights and microphones just don't coincide with normalcy. Neither does the word "missionary." With no offense meant here, I think the word "missionary" usually conjures up two (albeit faulty) pictures: (1) the missionary as the saint, holier-than-normal and endowed with skills, talents, and spiritual gifts way above average; or (2) the missionary as the (at least) slightly socially awkward, with a penchant for picking up languages easily and usually seen to be wearing turtleneck sweaters, ankle length jean skirts with a pair of tennis shoes and socks. Granted, other possibilities exist, but I'm generalizing to an extreme to make a point -- I don't fit into these categories...there's been a case of mistaken identity and really, I'm just a normal person...who decided to move to Africa because God told me to.
At this point, I hear my father's voice in my head prompting me to tell him what the Bible has to say on the subject....and here is what I have found (feel free to correct me if I'm wrong): I can't find the word "missionary" anywhere in the Bible. There are many things we are called to be and do as followers of Christ, but I can't find the place where God asks us to be "missionaries" specifically.
Listen to the dictionary definition of missionary:
mis·sion·ar·ies
1. One who is sent on a mission, especially one sent to do religious or charitable work in a territory or foreign country.
2. One who attempts to persuade or convert others to a particular program, doctrine, or set of principles; a propagandist.
Or Wikipedia would tell you a missionary is:
"a member of a religion who works to convert those who do not share the missionary's faith; someone who proselytizes."
These definitions bother me because of words like "propagandist" and "proselytizes;" after reading these I'm tempted to see the missionary as a type of "God's hitman." Is it the missionary agenda to spread propaganda or just to make someone reach that all-important point we call "conversion"?
Now I'm really feeling uncomfortable about being called a missionary. But if God doesn't ask to be missionaries, then what does He ask us to be?
2 Corinthians 5:20 says, "We are therefore Christ's AMBASSADORS, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."
Now contrast this definition:
am·bas·sa·dor
1. A diplomatic official of the highest rank appointed and accredited as representative in residence by one government or sovereign to another, usually for a specific length of time.
2. A diplomatic official heading his or her country's permanent mission to certain international organizations, such as the United Nations.
3. An authorized messenger or representative.
4. An unofficial representative: ambassadors of goodwill.
Or as Wikipedia would tell you, "an ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary is the highest ranking diplomat who represents their country. They are usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization, to serve as the official representative of their country."
I love that with this definition the "hitman" mentality is lost and instead we are to become relationaries that represent our God to a lost world. The goal is not conversion, it is relationship and reconciliation. The method is not to proselytize others, but to live a life that accurately represents the One who sent us.
And this calling is not just for some people - it's for all of us who call ourselves followers of Christ (back up just a few verses to 2 Cor 5:17, "If ANYONE is in Christ...").
And finally, the motive? LOVE.
"For Christ's LOVE compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves for for him who died for them and was raised again."
May we all be compelled by love to have relationships with others that give them a right picture of the God we serve.