Cape Town 2010 Advance Paper

Cooperation in the Body of Christ: Towards a New Equilibrium

Author: David D. Ruiz M. M. A.
Date: 30.07.2010
Category: Partnership

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Editor’s Note: This Cape Town 2010 Advance Paper has been written by David D. Ruiz M. as an overview of the topic to be discussed at the Morning Plenary session on “Partnering in the Body of Christ toward a New Global Equilibrium.” Responses to this paper through the Lausanne Global Conversation will be fed back to the authors and others to help shape their final presentations at the Congress.

“Equilibrium” is a difficult term to use and declare in these times. The inequalities of our world have graphically depicted the profound differences in all levels of society. These have transformed us, organizing us as rich or poor nations, developed or undeveloped, as modern or backward communities, as the first world and the third world. Even the effectiveness of the Gospel has divided us. While some churches waste huge sums on Pharaonic buildings (whether in the Global North or South), others are unable even to pay a salary worthy of a pastor or support their missionaries with dignity.

We actually have to ask ourselves whether this term, “equilibrium” represents what we have in mind when we speak of global cooperation in God’s mission. But we have been given the term, and I must work it.

Is it possible to correct the global lack of equilibrium?

When we examine the Biblical text, we become aware that inequality is a recurring theme, a fateful legacy of the fall of man that, lamentably, will follow us until the end of time. Jesus Christ himself said “For the poor you always have with you” (John 12:8). When our Lord returns in glory he will ask questions to the nations about this issue (Matthew 25:34-40). In the parable of the wheat and tares he demonstrates how we must coexist (even in the church) with the children of evil, and that will multiply our inequalities (Matthew 13). It will only be in the moment when we see descending God’s heavenly city, the new Jerusalem, the equitable city, that this situation will truly change. As we read in Revelation 21, this city’s dimensions are equal (21:16), as are the ways to enter it, with three doors for each one of the four cardinal points (21:13). In her we will not find both light and shade, only light (21:23); all have the same relationship with God. He is God of this city, and all there are his children in conditions of equality (21:7).

Causes for pain and opportunity. The absence of equilibrium in the world should be for the church a constant cause of pain, but at the same time, a constant opportunity. The poor give us an opportunity for the church to abound in good works and be blessed by so doing (2 Corinthians 9:8-10). Underdevelopment and its problems help us to demonstrate compassion and to exercise the power that God gives us to heal all illness, and to obey his mandate to establish his kingdom with compassion and love (Matthew 10:7-8, 25:45). Above all, this is a great opportunity to proclaim the Gospel.

A model of equilibrium. The church of Jesus Christ is the closest to equilibrium that the world will ever experience. Her origins show it in the book of Acts (2:41-47, 4:32-35). In times like the ones we live in, Scripture demonstrates that the church has the potential to become the bridge that both connects and reduces the gap between those who suffer as a result of this unbalanced condition, this world of inequity. In this way, the church provides for people a fountain of hope as it shares methods for subsistence, but also, the supernatural means that provide both physical and spiritual health (5:12-16).

However, the prime contribution the church can provide is the future hope that the Gospel of Jesus offers them. In these passages of Acts we see how poor and rich, academics and beggars, as well as people from different backgrounds and ethnicities were able to challenge inequality. This establishes that in the Gospel of Jesus Christ there is always hope for all, and that their economic or social status, or their ethnic or cultural background does not matter. It is possible for the church to challenge global inequality, and to cooperate in so doing.

Unfortunately, it does not take long for the book of Acts to register the divisions in the church of Christ. In 6:1 we find the church in tension related to how they would distribute food, especially to widows from different ethnicities. The apostles deal with the issue rapidly and with conciliation, and come up with an agreement favorable to the entire church. They, in turn, would dedicate themselves to the preaching of the word while the church found a group of men with the necessary characteristics to fulfill the service responsibility. From that moment on, the apostles discerned that it would require constant effort and dedication on their part to maintain the unity of the churches. In that manner the church would continue being the example closest to equilibrium-equality for the world, and it would be effective to offer answers and assistance for the diverse consequences of the terrible global injustice of the first century.

The division in the church

The churches of Christ confront and have confronted the challenges of maintaining unity. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians testifies to this reality; it is a letter for a divided church. From the start we can see that this letter was written due to the reports of struggles between believers (1:11) and to respond to questions regarding the realities that provoked those divisions.

The church of Corinth presents a catalogue of the different kinds of divisions that appear in the church of Christ. For example: “divisions” (schisma = tears, cracks)(1) in 1:10, 12:25; “to divide, tear or shred” (2) indicates that one is separated from the others in thought and mind. We also see “quarreling” (erides = unbecoming fights) (3) in 1:11 where each one belongs to a different clique. We continue the list with “jealousy” (zelos = to boil) (4) in 3:3, as the bitterness coming from unjust treatment (compared to others). Finally, we find “lawsuits” (krimata = fightings) in 6:7, which are the legal battles between Christian brothers.

We might like to say that divisions in churches and Christian organizations come because of the unbelievers who take part within these bodies, but we must recognize that divisions in the church prove our own lack of maturity. Differences and divisions prove that we are of the flesh (3:3; 11:19). Divisions are proof of a self-centered attitude; instead of serving others, we prefer to serve ourselves (10:24). To sustain the attitude that others are more important than we are is not natural, and we have to battle and work hard to keep the unity of the Spirit (Eph 4:3).

Even when we understand that the global imbalance cannot be completely corrected, is it not possible for the Church to challenge it? Is it possible for us to present models that reduce extreme contrasts? What role has mission cooperation played in this process?

The appearance of COMIBAM

The Ibero-American mission (5) movement known as COMIBAM (Cooperación Misionera Iberoamericana—Cooperation of Missions in Ibero-America) represents an example of possible cooperation, that churches can work together. And when this is achieved, their contribution has unlimited consequences. Only that way can we explain the existence of this regional network that convenes 25 nations, more than 400 missionary agencies and missionary training centres and a countless number of local churches throughout this region.

In 1984 plans were launched for the Ibero-American Mission Congress (COMIBAM) that was held in Brazil in 1987 with the presence of more than 3,100 delegates representing all the countries of Latin America. While the first congress was sponsored by CONELA (the then-regional body related to World Evangelical Alliance), the mission movement captured its own identity, ending with a broader representation than even CONELA had at the time.(6) From that moment, COMIBAM worked tirelessly to promote the emergence of an active mission movement within the region.

A second congress was convened in Mexico in 1997 to carry out an evaluation and projection of the Ibero-American mission movement, an approach based on the missionary process itself. The Mexico congress transformed the movement, a process of “Ibero-Americanization” was instituted, and plans were established to regionalize Ibero-America, thus allowing the development of the potential of national mission movements. A new administrative model was created. A healthy leadership transition was established to strengthen COMIBAM with its national base movements.

The third congress was convened in Granada, Spain, in 2006. That congress demonstrated that the Ibero-American mission movement was greater than we imagined, and its impact much more meaningful than what might have even been dreamed of. The active and decisive presence of more than 280 Latin field missionaries serving in more than 60 nations allowed us to come to a much clearer understanding of the reality of our missionaries. Above all, we recognized with humility that the spirit of sacrifice was the best motor to empower our Latin mission force, even in the midst of deficient finances, mission structures and member care by the sending churches.

COMIBAM’s contribution through its years

Missiological reflection: From 1984 COMIBAM has generated a dynamic that favoured Ibero-American missiological reflection. It has stimulated the development of a growing generation of missionaries, missiologists and students of missiology in ever-increasing numbers. The written contributions are now a legacy to help us understand the new Latin and global mission world.

The centrality of the local church: Another significant contribution comes from the number of local churches involved in the missionary process. They number in the thousands and represent the majority of the Latin American Evangelical theological streams. The churches contribute, according to the Spain congress, with more than US4 million per month to sustain the Latin mission force.

A mission force: Another notable result has been the sustained growth, over 15% per year, of the number of Latin American missionaries, now over 12,000. They serve in church planting within the most needy and least evangelized people groups in more than 60 nations. (7) COMIBAM is now an historical landmark in relation to the process of connecting missiological reflection to the reality of the Ibero-American church.

A paradigmatic change: Perhaps one of the most significant roles that COMIBAM has played has been to shorten the gap between the older, traditional sending nations and the newer sending ones. It has done this in a variety of ways. First, it has connected Ibero-American missiology with that activity being done globally, thus winning the right to sit in equal conditions in the best known dialogue tables of the Evangelical world. Secondly, it has sustained a serious and intentional attempt to recognize the mission force from the local church, allowing this voice to be respected and listened to with attention.

Third, it has worked hard to maintain a two-way road that facilitates the contribution and learning of mission themes with mission movements of other areas of the world. What’s more, COMIBAM has participated actively in the missiological dialogue with other emerging mission forces of the Global South. Together they have created a meeting space for reflection on the themes of church, mission movements and missiological growth in the majority world. Lastly, COMIBAM has played a protagonist’s role in the development of mission cooperation, as well as the development of strategic alliances between emerging mission forces that has catapulted missionary exchange and missiological reflection between them.

We feel certain that COMIBAM’s role in the last 15 years has been a significant element to bridge the gap between the Western mission forces with the rest of the world. It has helped to correct the imbalance between emerging mission forces of the Global South and North. Above all, it has created a conscience of the mission community within the global church that affirms the fact that the Church in the world is one, and that God can use her with power, regardless of where she may come from.

Difficult lessons regarding unity

As a result of this short but fruitful experience, we can say that cooperation offers an alternative for a better life, but it is costly. There is a high price to pay for cooperation. Those who have participated in the COMIBAM process can confirm this reality. And as we return to I Corinthians, Paul continues teaching us. But now, they are the difficult lessons regarding unity that must be presented to the church that battles to stay united.

The cost of unity. On the one hand, unity is evidence of an ascending road towards spiritual maturity. As such, each step is costly, and each movement forward is painful and reminds us constantly of the question, “Are you willing to pay the price for unity?” In I Corinthians 4:6-13 we encounter the three correct attitudes to reach and maintain unity.

Humility (I Corinthians 4:7) is the first of them. Paul gives us three key questions that help us maintain humility in any relationships. What makes you stand out? What do you have that you have not received? And if you received it, why do you glory in yourself as you were one who had not received it? In Paul’s supreme example of cooperation between the Father and the Son as presented in Philippians 2:5-11, humility is the most important characteristic.

The second is to “be ready for humiliation” (4:9-10). Paul uses two words, “exhibited” and “spectacle.” These two terms were used for those who marched as slaves condemned to death in the procession towards the arena where they would die. They describe those who are seeking to work for and find unity, for they must be willing to be humiliated in the process. To those who caused the divisions, Paul challenges, “Would it not be better to endure injustice? Would it not be better to allow ourselves to be defrauded?” (6:7). Paul then shares three examples of humiliation taken from his own experience.

To be cast aside after having given good service, after having acquired what was expected of him (4:8).
To be the last when you should be the first (4:9). This is a sad scenario for one who has been their spiritual father (4:15) and who is considered as one facing the death sentence.
To be ignored, even when you have an opinion or position about what’s happening to you (4:10). Those who learned from him, to whom he opened the doors to find the road to triumph, now considered him ignorant, weak and scorned.

The third cost of unity is to “be willing to be treated without any respect” (4:11-13). In the goal of maintaining unity, we must be willing to be treated, in Paul’s words, as worthless ashes, like “the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.” (8) Again he gives us three examples.

Not receiving from them the recognition he deserved in the eyes of God (4:11).
Not receiving respectful treatment, in spite of his hard work that gave such good results (4:12).
Not receiving the status that he merited and had acquired (4:13). Saint Chrysostom said in reference to this passage: “He had passed through 1000 exploitations.” (9)

The stimulus for unity: Paul reserves the most difficult lesson regarding unity for the end of his letter, that is, “a united group starts with me”. We must work for unity as if it were a personal commitment to God, instead of wasting time trying to identify the guilty one who broke that unity; and many times we are just that one. The epilogue of this letter reminds us of three phrases (15:58).

Stand firm, and let nothing move you (maturity and maintenance of unity).
Always give yourselves completely to the Lord’s work (commitment to the Lord in spite of people).
Remember that your labor for the Lord is not in vain (trust in God’s justice, which at the end of the day will give to each as we merit).

Let us work hard to maintain our unity, and above all, let us be willing to pay the cost. Only that way are we able to place on display a church that challenges inequality and reduces the gaps that it causes. Equilibrium is a mental attitude where we know that we are doing what pleases God in the search for cooperation, even when we are in a disadvantageous position.

I conclude by sharing the dreams that caused me to come to Lausanne III and to write this Advance Paper:

I dream that we will understand that more than a state of equilibrium, we need that attitude where we can all consider ourselves, finally, members of the same body, with equality of possibilities and opportunities to contribute together to world evangelization. Thus we would leave to one side suspicion, competition and pride; we would adopt an attitude of apprentices in order to take advantages of the lessons that we might learn from those whom God is using, even when they are not from our continent, nor of our theology, nor of our organization, nor of our circle of exclusive friends.
I dream that instead of seeking the utopia of those who have the economic resources and willingness to pay the bills of those who have the missionaries, that we would instead hear anew the question that God posed to Moses, “What do you have in your hand?” Let us participate together in world evangelization, leaving the issue of finances as the last topic, trusting that the God who sent us will provide.
I dream that as a result of this congress we will learn that the world does not need more consultations nor congresses, where after spending so much money we end only with new definitions of the terms “cooperation,” “accountability,” “resources,” “trust” or some other new plan where we give a new name to the lost but we don’t do anything concrete in order for their names to be written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Let us put an end to that colonization of ideas that attempts to impose names, slogans, programs, systems and methods, and let us be friends finally, true partners in evangelization. Let us make the Gospel available to those who do not have it, to the ends of the earth, regardless of the ultimate costs that we must pay.
I dream that this congress will change our minds permanently; that we will become aware that the world that we once knew no longer exists, that these are new times; that new winds of the Lord are moving new churches for world evangelization. This congress has proven that the churches that enjoyed the Golden Era of missions are now the minority. The growing mission forces have no mission history. The effective missionaries are those who go with contextualized training, inflamed with passion, accompanied by their churches, and incarnating the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the power of the Triune God. Let us learn to respect God’s clock and those to whom the Spirit has called to guide now the movement of mission.

English Translation by: LGC_Translation
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Keywords: Cooperation, equiibrium, equality, inequality, divisions, COMIBAM, Ibero-American, missions, missionaries, missiology, missiological, church, unity, humility, humiliation

Conversation Post Comment

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Mariusbrand (0)
South Africa

Community farms: (Kibbutz)

4 land & wealth redistribution, to evangelise the community: To train, educate, work, live and have a base from where to launch missionaries into the community. A community farm is where the Christians in the community corporately owns the property. Our corporate finances provide cost of the farm, infrastructure & accommodation for those working on farms. Investors, invest directly in the crops to secure food and jobs for the people. Thousands of jobs will be created where people could be evangelise, reconciled, unity restored and worldviews changed to a Biblical one. Farms will act as a place of employment, a basic income, a missionary training School, an orphanage and launching pad to send trained missionaries. Here Christ Jesus will be a way of living where the community will see what we preach!

Three legs: (Operating separately)

1.   Accommodation and employers Lodges/Hostels on farms with infrastructure:

2.   Education, “Skills” development, Discipleship training & orphanages.

3.   Agricultural projects – investment arm. (Project financing). Outside investors.

      Full scale business to create a holistic cosmos to the missionary to have the infrastructure needed to live and operate in without lack or limitations.

Shammah Foundation: Marius Brand: Cell 082 9210 275, e-mail - mariba@zsd.co.za. www.koevoet4christ.co.za

18.10.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Cody_Lorance (12)
United States

Brother, thank you for this great paper. I really look forward to hearing from both you and Patrick Fung together on this issue. Should be terrific. I have so many thoughts on this. Let me just post here:

http://codylorance.blogspot.com/2010/10/equilibrium-revisited.html

Blessings!

15.10.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Knud_Jorgensen (1)
Norway

I have enjoyed your paper, also because it is practical. And I was glad to find you lifting up the Good News as the stimulus for and power of cooperation and unity. Many Cape Town papers seem to like the law more than the Gospel.

We are better off with regard to equilibrium than they were in Edinburgh in 1910, but there are still key issues to work on. One such issue is our Western way of taking over planning and implementation of projects etc when our Gloibal South brothers and sisters do not jumb when we think they should jumb. Here is an undue impatience and a lingering belief that we know a little bit better how to deal with such matters. Is this an issue we could talk about and where I as a typical impatient Westerner could be taught by Christian leaders in the South?

Along the same lines: Your three examples of humilation on p.5 hit me quite hard, especially the third one about being ignored when I think I have an opinion about matters that others should pay attention to.

15.10.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Mere_B (4)
United States

I have recently become aware of COMIBAM and I find it very encouraging. I have spent some time in Peru and have a heart for Latino believers to be mobilized to the least-reached, esp. Muslims. So excited that COMIBAM is doing this, through the partnership efforts you describe!

14.10.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Carson_Weitnauer (2)
United States

Your "cost of unity" section was very challenging. Thank you for these bold words. May God grant us all the grace to pay the price to be unified together in Christ.

11.10.2010

: Reply Flag 1 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Chris_C_Sing (3)
Singapore

Hi David,

Thanks for your thoughts. I particularly liked the ’corrective’ in your dream - that perhaps this congress works first on our being ’friends’ and establishing relationships amongst us, before attempting to solve the conceptual problems confronting our generation of church and missions.

I note with interest that neither you nor Patrick seem willing to address the topic of ’New Equilibrium’. Perhaps it is loaded with a perception of ’us and them’ - North vs South, or West vs East. As our study of Ephesians should show, these barriers should break down. In effect you are both pointing out that perhaps we should not even speak of the division? If we are to be ’friends’ first, and if, as Patrick implies, we should focus on the task, then perhaps such a ’New Equilibrium’ is not needed explicitly.

Your early point is relevant, that balance is inherently impossible this side of heaven. But I think we are also unlikely to see ’equilibrium’ because the world remains in a state of constant change. As the strength of the church, of economics, and of freedom grows and declines in different areas there will be constant change in how each of us contributes or has need (2 Cor 8:14)

So perhaps God is looking for our friendships first. So indeed - let us first be friends!

09.10.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Jacques_N (0)
France

I liked the dream that concludes this paper, heading to hope and action. The reference to the situation in Corinth is interesting, and there is much to say about the struggles of the local Church and Paul’s global ministry. The local church is actually central, and each believer enroled in the fight for unity...

I would have liked to see more down-to-earth connections between the teaching drawn out of the corinthians example, the COMIBAM experience, and the fights common to all churches. What were the very difficulties that appeared in COMIBAM, how were they dealt with, how was Paul’s teaching applied etc?

I am sure the author would have relevant elements to add that could help the reader to ’print’ the thoughts in his own environment.

05.10.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Jetteke_N (0)
Netherlands

I do recognize David Benson’s struggle too though. Personally, I love to have church in the old buildings and just wished we would go back to them - instead of having them transformed into housing facilities, banks, theaters, etc. Also because so many have worshipped there before. That’s another issue though.

The new big buildings can and serve a purpose (can be heavily over the top too, so thank you for keeping us on the alert), as many from the so-called West would not come to a smaller building. Where at first all can see them coming. Would not come to a raggedy building, as all of their lives are in luxury. Will come to theater style services, as this is recognizable.

It is a struggle, but not only in the buildings, in all of our expenses, as a church and as a family or individual. Many churches have many new cars in the parkinglot, yet no money for youth ministry or missions abroad. People have money for the lastest fashion, CD’s, DVD’s and out for dinner, yet not for a Compassion Child or missionary support.

It is in everything: money, time, purpose,.... And not only unwillingness, but lack of insight and awareness. Many christians have not been raised anymore with giving 10% or serving others. Many don’t even know who they are living next to.

Calling back to humility in the Church needs to become part of the teaching again. We need magnanimity and humility. Knowing that we have been given much for which to be thankful. Knowing that we need Him to be wise. With the underlying awareness that humility and magnanimity come from Christ.

04.10.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Jetteke_N (0)
Netherlands

Thank you for this paper. Biblical, gentle, firm and honest. Calling us again to look at what it really means to follow Christ: the truly humble One, humiliated for us. I will use this paper in speaking to and with young people and churches. Unity and service need to be discussed and lived again if we want to make an impact in todays world, with it’s lonely materialism and all it’s religions.

04.10.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down David_Benson (2)
Australia

Thanks for your passion and clarity--love your dream and hopes for Lausanne. I also think the issue of finance is perhaps best kept as the last topic--not because it is unimportant, but because it can be divisive, though if our hearts are right, the generosity will flow and genuine partnerships will form.

That said, money has been playing on my mind. In the introduction you noted that "some churches waste huge sums on Pharaonic buildings ... [while] others are unable even to pay a salary worthy of a pastor or support their missionaries with dignity."

This hugely challenges our church in Brisbane. We’re looking to build a new ministry centre, having reached capacity in what we’ve got some 5 years ago. Without going into specifics of why we feel called to stick together rather than split and church plant, how do we navigate these issues as part of a global church with such disparity? If the going rate for a suitable centre was in the millions, is this necessarily a "waste"? Is it ever appropriate to spend this kind of money on a building? Does our expenditure on this project inversely relate to mission giving?

I wonder if just like my personal place of residence is appropriate to the suburb and context in which I live--neither extravagant nor a dive, erring on the side of simplicity--perhaps there is a godly place for even expensive buildings that are appropriate to our mission and cultural context? Like many in the west where we have so much, I carry a "white man’s burden" of guilt, but I’m struggling to know how God would have me and the church I’m at invest that with which we are blessed.

29.09.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Cesar_Jesus_Perez_Sa (0)
Spain

Enhorabuena por la reflexion acerca del equilibrio (palabra ostentosa), sobre las alianzas y cooperacion. Pero me quedo con una de sus ultimas frases de alguno de sus suenos: "Cambiando nuestra manera de pensar, para asi cambiar nuestra manera de vivir. Que el mundo ciertamente necesita algo mas que consultas, congresos... y terminar con tantos sistemas, metodos, programas y slogans; y que podamos ser amigos y socios en la evangelizacion. Y poner dicho evangelio hasta lo ultimo de la tierra, con las ultimas consecuencias.

Me gusto mucho el libro editado para el evento de Comiban 2006, (al cual asisti) La Trasformacion de la Iglesia, el cual lei y me fue de gran bendicion.

Esperemos que el congreso de Lausana III sirva para poder seguir poniendole pies a los suenos.

31.07.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Druizwea (0)
Guatemala
@ Cesar_Jesus_Perez_Sa:
Cesar:

Muchas gracias por tu valioso comentario y ánimo. Te imaginas que escribir este documento fue un buen desafío, sobre todo, para mantenerme fiel a lo que hemos tratado de predicar con el ejemplo durante nuestro tiempo en COMIBAM y más allá.

¿estarás en el Cape Town?

David

31.07.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Francis (0)
Spain
@ Druizwea:
Estimado David, vengo de leer tu conferencia y me ha gustado bastente. Es un tema dificil y de complejo tratamiento. Vengo ahora de Brasil y ya tenemos otros dos matrimonios de brasil con nosotros y pronto tendremos otros de Guatemala. Espero poder hacer un comentario mas en profundida sobre tu tema.

Recibe un cordial saludo.

24.09.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Druizwea (0)
Guatemala
@ Francis:
Francis, muchas gracias por tu comentario, casualmente estuve chateando con Leo esta tarde y me contó de tu visita y del buen tiempo que pasaron.

Quedo en espera de tus ideas para continuar enriqueciendo este documento

David

25.09.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down JudithJ (2)
Jamaica

Equilibrium speaks to balance.

Cooperation speaks to working together to achieve the same end.

Could we look some more at the concept of balance in Scripture as we see God at work? Balance in creation - the planets line up in a particular way to support a universe that is centred in earth; male balances female; in the cycle of life there is balance - animals (herbivores, carnivores), plants, birds of the air, sea creatures, etc. If we study the Creator and the steps he took to establish balance; if we study Israel and its laws; if we study the life and teachings of Christ - is there a pattern that provides an example for us to follow? Unless the topic was thrown together without much thought (which I doubt), then we are pressed to consider the weight of the term "new equilibrium" - meaning something that has eveloved out of a pre-existing situation. Having done that, then we may truly consider how the Body of Christ can work together to achieve this new paradigm.

23.09.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Matthew_Fries (0)
United States

Dear David,

Thanks so much for the thoughtful presentation of your dreams. Like other who have posted, I share them with you!

I agree that humility and vulnerability are the key ingredients to seeing the global Body of Christ work together in love and unity. So, how does one help to "create" this in relationships between men and women from the "old missions guard" of the global North and the "new missions guard" of the global South? Authentic relationships? It seems like space must be created for wildly different people (culturally, theologically, etc.) to BE TOGETHER to really know one another.

Longing for abstract and practical enjoy a meal together...

Matt

21.09.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Jeff_Korum (0)
Ghana

God bless you for your article and for your passion. I only wish you would have given some practical instruction about what financial equilibrium looks like and how it can be achieved. Second, you wrote about unity, but what is the unity you are describing and what is it not. I would have liked a clearer definition of the term.

13.09.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Druizwea (0)
Guatemala
@ Jeff_Korum:
Dear Jeff:

Thank you very much for your valuable comments. About the financial equilibrium, as I mentioned in my article, I think that we need to live with the reality of the lack of equilibrium, it is a way in which we could create a culture of generosity among us, as we see in Acts 2:42 an 4:34. In other hand, the most important need is to grow to a more broader definition about resources, the main problem is we usually think in material terms, money, personnel, buildings, etc. We need to know that passion, vision, life commitment are resources as well. With this more biblical vision, it is possible to seat at the sharing table as equals to share resources and not only to ask of give financial resources.

Thank you for let me now that a clear definition of unity is missed in my paper, I am working on it, but basically is what the Lord said in his other prayer in John 17, unity following the model of Christ, and the way in which Paul explained in Phil. 2:2, same mind, same love one accord c) looking each of us to the things of others.

Blessing,

David

14.09.2010

: Reply Flag 1 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down ChristineDillon (11)
Taiwan (ROC)

Thank-you for your encouraging article. I dream your dream!

I find the topic of finance puzzling. Various homechurches of mine in the early days wanted me to give them a project to support. For 11 years I have not needed any finance for church planting. We have no buildings and use a minimum of resources (most people love to buy their own Bible). Offertory’s are able to go for looking after Christians needs, outreach and missions. We have no other needs. I have turned down offers of money for it seems it would just lead to unpleasantness and dependency. Our resources are the Christians themselves and their prayers. This is a joy and we are rich in love, prayer and Jesus himself. Lord, please don’t send us money!

04.08.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Swells_in_the_Middle (14)
China
@ ChristineDillon:
We need to hear more voices such as yours!

I recall years ago applying for a foundation grant to support the initial phase of building for an agricultural demonstration center. We were told that we weren’t asking for enough money--no one wanted to fund something cheap--and encouraged to "throw in a car or two" in order to make our application more "fundable."

What drives ministry? What priorities shape our financial decisions? It is a very sad situation indeed when finances and ministry work together to encourage brothers and sisters to lie about needs and wants. These kinds of "partnerships" founded on deception do not honor God, nor do they advance His Kingdom. Needless to say, we did not submit an application with this foundation.

04.08.2010

: Reply Flag 0 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down Cesar_Jesus_Perez_Sa (0)
Spain

Si Dios lo permite estare en la ciudad del Cabo. Aunque no le conozco mucho, mi esposa, Annie Gonzalez de Puerto Rico, ha tenido la oportunidad de compartir con usted y de conocerle en el congreso de Comiban 97.

Esperamos verle en Lausanna en el proximo mes de octubre.

Bendiciones...

03.08.2010

: Reply Flag 1 Thumbs Up Thumbs Down v_lim (13)
Singapore

In this topic on “Partnering in the body of Christ”, the use of “Equilibrium” is somewhat puzzling. “Equilibrium” is a scientific term used to describe a stable condition. It is when various forces acting on a system have cancelled out each other. As a result, the system is now balanced and unchanging.

What is the meaning of “towards equilibrium” in the body? Does it refer to finding equilibrium when the body is struck by external forces or threats? Or restoring equilibrium when there are internal tensions or injuries? What is “towards new global equilibrium”? Why is there a search for something new? Is it because the old system is no longer appropriate or less relevant? What is “global”? Does it refer to wholistic, or the whole world?

Whatever the case, we must not forget the Head of the body which holds all parts of the body together (Colossians 1:15-20), who creates all things, and reconciles to himself all things. The Head enables diverse parts to work in partnership.

02.08.2010