{"id":5792,"date":"2015-08-12T15:58:28","date_gmt":"2015-08-12T22:58:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/missionscatalyst.net\/?p=5792"},"modified":"2015-08-12T15:58:28","modified_gmt":"2015-08-12T22:58:28","slug":"practical-mobilization-9","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/missionscatalyst.net\/?p=5792","title":{"rendered":"Practical Mobilization"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Missions-Catalyst-no-tagline_large\"<\/a>In this Issue: Setting a course for global engagement<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"3268697347_e58bdc1b10_z\"<\/a>Sailboat image: Easysailing<\/a>, Flikr\/Creative Commons<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Your Status, Gladys? Setting a Course for Global Engagement<\/h2>\n

By Shane Bennett<\/p>\n

My wife and I have a text message shorthand question to ask how things are going when we\u2019re apart: \u201cWhat\u2019s your status, Gladys?\u201d Neither of us is named Gladys. I just like the rhyme. And I\u2019m hoping it will stick in your mind as I ask you what your status is relative to God\u2019s work throughout the world. You know: missions, the Great Commission, call it what you like.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s your status, Gladys?<\/p>\n

What is your part and how well are you playing it?<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re the epicenter of your church\u2019s cross-cultural efforts, if you\u2019re confident and comfortable in the role God has you playing right now, or if you\u2019re up to your ears with an unengaged people group, this article isn\u2019t so much for you. It is, however, for people in your sphere of influence, so please consider passing it along.<\/p>\n

If, on the other hand, you sense God asking you to engage in a more significant way, if there\u2019s a niggling somewhere in your heart or mind, and you\u2019re not sure what to do or how to get going, read on. This is going to help.<\/p>\n

The process is simple:<\/p>\n

A. Set a course.
\nB. Determine the very next step.
\nC. Kick down the obstacles.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a closer look.<\/p>\n

A: Set a course.<\/h3>\n

Maybe you\u2019re thinking about the world for the first time. That God might be asking someone like you to join someone like him in amazing global work is a new concept. You\u2019ve got to figure out how to get going.<\/p>\n

Or maybe you\u2019ve been following Jesus for a while and always thought missions was a cool idea, but never actually took the leap. Now God\u2019s saying, \u201cThe water\u2019s great. Get in here!\u201d<\/p>\n

Perhaps you\u2019ve been logging hours for the world but have this crazy hunch that God wants to strap some rockets to your efforts and light the fuse!<\/p>\n

The first thing to remember is that you can\u2019t do everything. If you try, you\u2019ll be lousy at the whole list. Paul was right about that body of Christ<\/a> thing: God is smart enough to equip each of us so that together we can accomplish what he has in mind. The trick, of course, is determining if you\u2019re a hand or a heart, an elbow or an epiglottis. (Is anyone that part of the body?)<\/p>\n

You didn\u2019t ask for advice, but here it is: Don\u2019t let this decision paralyze you. Trust in the equipping (and when you goof, the redeeming) power of God and get moving.<\/p>\n

Some people shake out the basic modes of involvement in missions into praying, sending, going, welcoming, and mobilizing<\/a>. Consider simply picking from the list and moving in that general direction. Definitely seek God at this point (and every other). You\u2019d also be wise to seek the input of people who are wiser or more experienced than you are.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind: These categories can overlap. Choosing one as a focus doesn\u2019t lock you in forever.<\/p>\n

If you can honestly say \u201cI feel that God wants me to play a bigger part in his globally expanding kingdom, but I don\u2019t know what part,\u201d let me offer you two options to consider:<\/p>\n

1. The unengaged<\/h4>\n

Focus your copious skills and energy on an unengaged Muslim people group. Read this Practical Mobilization<\/a> column from a couple of months ago. Check out this list<\/a> from the International Mission Board. Then talk to someone like the kindly mavericks at Frontiers<\/a> about how quickly you can dive into the deep end!<\/p>\n

2. The overlooked<\/h4>\n

Let me invite you, as personally as I can in an article like this, to join me in a growing effort to respond to the heart-wrenching humanitarian crisis and amazing gospel opportunity unfolding in Sicily right now. I think there\u2019s a place for you in what God is launching, and I\u2019d love to explore that with you<\/a>. Let\u2019s do something epic together.<\/p>\n

B: Determine the very next step.<\/h3>\n

Regardless of the general direction you choose, education might be your next step. Perspectives classes<\/a>, which may be the best introduction to God\u2019s global purposes, are starting up right now all across the U.S. and beyond. There are other classes and curricula that cover similar ground which may be in the works in your church or town. Ask around!<\/p>\n

Signed up for Perspectives, now what? Generally, look to see what your tribe is doing. How does the direction you want to head in work at your church? How could you contribute there? Is God unfolding something cool at your church that he has in mind for you to contribute to? Moving forward with your tribe can be very powerful.<\/p>\n

For specifics, this site<\/a> has some great ideas for each main role. Also consider these:<\/p>\n

Praying<\/h4>\n

Set an alarm on your phone for 10.02am and simply pray as Jesus said to in Luke 10.2, \u201cThe harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sending<\/h4>\n

Tell a fund-raising friend that you\u2019re trying to learn to send, so you\u2019ll support her $20 (or $200) a month for six months and then re-evaluate. Ask to get on her email newsletter list.<\/p>\n

Going<\/h4>\n

Get a passport<\/a>! You may not be able to go anywhere cool without one.<\/p>\n

Welcoming<\/h4>\n

Call the closest university and ask if any international students have signed up to be paired with local friends. Agree to be one of those local friends.<\/p>\n

Mobilizing<\/h4>\n

Forward this email<\/a> to three friends who might walk with you as you move toward the world and God\u2019s work in it.<\/p>\n

C: Kick down the obstacles<\/h3>\n

It would be so cool if knowing your general direction and clearly understanding the very next step led seamlessly to action. Sadly, in the real world, things like fear, apathy, and busy-ness conspire to keep us where we are. Might as well be honest about it. What is most likely to keep you from taking your next step?<\/p>\n

Thinking your friends will think you\u2019ve lost it?<\/p>\n

Wondering where the money will come from?<\/p>\n

Mired in uncertainty?<\/p>\n

Do this with me: Name it and un-claim it! Seek God\u2019s power and a friend\u2019s, pastor\u2019s, or mom\u2019s support\u2014whatever is required. Take that very next step.<\/p>\n

One caveat: If it\u2019s all you can do right now to breathe and your next step is pretty much just trying to stay alive, please don\u2019t let these words further burden you. My prayer for you is that God soon brings you out of the valley into refreshing green pastures and quiet waters.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h3>\n

So what\u2019s your status, Gladys? What\u2019s the main direction, what\u2019s the very next step, and what do you need to kill to take it? God\u2019s grace to you and to us! I\u2019m hungry to see his purposes fulfilled on the earth. I want to see his blessing blossom in every family<\/a>. And both the Bible and experience indicate it\u2019s going to take a lot of us showing up with all the strength and smarts and persistence we can muster, coupled with the empowering of the Holy Spirit. We need you. Your contribution matters. If God is nudging you forward: engage!<\/p>\n

\u00bb We welcome your comments on this article below or on our Facebook page<\/a>. Please share it freely.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In this Issue: Setting a course for global engagement Sailboat image: Easysailing, Flikr\/Creative Commons What\u2019s Your Status, Gladys? Setting a Course for Global Engagement By Shane Bennett My wife and I have a text message shorthand question to ask how things are going when we\u2019re apart: \u201cWhat\u2019s your status, Gladys?\u201d Neither of us is named … Continue reading Practical Mobilization<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5792","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-practical-mobilization"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/missionscatalyst.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5792","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/missionscatalyst.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/missionscatalyst.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/missionscatalyst.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/missionscatalyst.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=5792"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/missionscatalyst.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5792\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5795,"href":"https:\/\/missionscatalyst.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5792\/revisions\/5795"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/missionscatalyst.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5792"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/missionscatalyst.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5792"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/missionscatalyst.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5792"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}