From Russia With Love

I'm waiting for my flight home -- sitting in the Domodedovo Airport in Moscow. I've been here for four days of intensive meetings with educators and church leaders from Russia and Ukraine.

Sometimes I am confronted with a few misconceptions of ministry and working "in missions" by some well meaning folk back in the USA. As a result, it is hard for them to get excited about a "missionary" who spends a lot of time in meetings, but not "ministry."

I guess for these folks, "ministry" is restricted to preaching and teaching from God's word. And no doubt, these are important aspects of the church's ministry. But any missionary who's got his heart set for the Kingdom of God knows that there aren't of "missionaries" to do all the "ministry." I am human and am restricted by the laws of space and time. The most effecient model of ministry is to replicate/multiply the number of people who can do "ministry."

That's what the meetings in Moscow have been all about. In the countries of Russia and Moscow, we have about 200 churches spread out over 4 time zones. We see much potential for growth, but realize that we cannot do all the work ourselves. We can only send so many people to a Bible school. We can only send so many "missionaries" to the regions.

So we have to set strategies. How can we train the most people who will, in turn, eventually become preachers, teachers, and leaders in other areas of our region.

Granted, it is sometimes hard to get excited about meetings with committees and boards, but it is in these meetings that a "missionary" can dialogue with leaders and educators, devise a common strategy that everyone will support, and build relationship and rapport with those who will eventually carry out the ministry. Thinking about the long--term goal is what keep us all motivated to "sit through" a meeting.

Thankfully, we have a great group of pastors and educators who are committed to reaching their world for Christ. That is such an encouragement.

Now the meetings are over....and we look forward to the future.

But now it's time to get back home. Family is just as important of a ministry -- they build me up. And sometimes it's even mutual.. :-)