Missions Catalyst 01.10.07 – Practical Mobilization

In This Issue: Ten Attributes for Mobilizers

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Practical Mobilization by Shane Bennett is published once a month.

Ten Attributes for Mobilizers in 2007

By Shane Bennett

I’ve been reading and wondering lately about how Christians, at least American evangelicals, get defined by what they (we?) are against, rather than what they are for. This troubles me and could probably be fodder for any number of articles and sermons. It has me thinking what I want to be for, what I want to characterize me. And since the time between when I feel like I should be or do something and the time I project that onto someone else (you, in this instance; thanks for playing along) is about the same time it takes light to travel from your computer screen to your eyes, I thought it might be good to offer the Top Ten List of Attributes for Mobilizers in 2007. (As you might have expected, there are 11 items on the list.)

Ten Attributes for Mobilizers in 2007

1. Persevering.

According to missiological he-man, David Hesselgrave, “Perseverance is just as important, or more so, than methodology.” This is a guy who’s persevered for several decades and has the track record to prove it. Are your dreams bigger than your talent? Fear not. Tough work ahead for you? Don’t waver. Take courage. It could be that you simply need to stick it out. Remember Jacob doggedly laboring 14 long years to win the Rachel prize.

2. Honoring.

Certainly we need to honor God, the churches we serve, and our families. But we also would do well to honor the men and women of God who have gone before us. Here’s Dr. Hesselgrave again on how to do this: “Stand on their shoulders and look at the landscape as it developed around them. We tend to denigrate the past and bury our ancestors. You can learn something from every one of them, their success and failures.”

3. Grateful.

Even as God has given us great leaders before us, he’s also given us great churches to work with, insightful colleagues near and far, and a wonderful world in which to work. No more whiny mobilizers!

4. Learning.

We have great things to say, life-changing ideas to convey. But, we also have much to learn. I think we’ll find more successful influence if we increase our priority on listening and learning and our patience regarding speaking. If you’re an American, listen up, this probably applies to you. If you’re not an American, it might not, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to consider anyway.

5. Hopeful.

It’s hard to be a mobilizer without a strong conviction that God is accomplishing wonderful things in line with his purposes. May God increase your sense of hope. May he use you to undo the mindset that says, “The world’s going to hell in a handbasket,” wherever this thought may be found. God wins. God is winning. His is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

6. Humble.

His is the glory, not ours. Can we admit (both to each other and to smart people who don’t like Christians) that we don’t know everything, that we still have much to learn? We might find people more apt to hear us out if there were at least a couple of things we weren’t totally certain about. But I’m not sure that’s true.

7. Gutsy.

In the mid-60’s David Hesselgrave, then a novice professor just cutting his teeth at Trinity Seminary in Chicago, heard that missiological ultra-he-man Dr. Donald McGavran was coming to Minneapolis. He wasn’t able to drive to hear McGavran speak, so he took a chance and called him on the phone. McGavran’s response was hugely kind and led to ongoing connection and collaboration. Fear would have never picked up the phone.

8. Loving.

According to Jesus, this could pretty much be the whole list.
Love God: It all begins here for us, doesn’t it?
Love your people who are far away: those you hope to see follow Christ.
Love your people who are near: those you hope to see follow Christ to the ends of the earth.

9. Modeling.

Don’t just tell people what to do, show them. And do it with them. Just at breakfast this morning I was challenged in this regard. Now it looks like I’ll spend a week this summer with a busload of middle and high schoolers, learning to love some people who have not heard much of Jesus. Like Lt. Colonel Hal Moore said in “We Were Soldiers”: “… this I swear, before you and before Almighty God, that when we go into battle, I will be the first to set foot on the field, and I will be the last to step off …”

10. Prayerful.

You probably don’t need to be reminded of this. I do. Like Martha, I’m always at risk of neglecting to return to the feet of Jesus.

11. Connected.

May God give you a handful of women or men, or maybe a wife or husband, or some small band of friends with whom you can be open and real. May he give you some people who can tell you to shape up, settle down, or launch out, and you’ll listen to them. Maybe you know who these guys are for you. Or maybe it would be a good idea to pick up the phone right now, invite a couple people to dinner Friday night, and begin to work with God to form your team.

Do you have other attributes on your list? I’d love to hear them. Send them to me.

Questions? Problems? Submissions? Contact publisher/managing editor Marti Smith.

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