In 2004, Dr. Roger Parrott introduced a stimulating concept regarding a better paradigm from which to develop our missions obedience. He used the powerboat to describe our attempts to control the work of the church accordingto our own wisdom, skills, resources and strategies. Then he offers the sailboat as a picture of serving in a spirit of dependency on the Spirit of God.

In 2008, I along with two colleagues, wrote a paper applying the concept more specifically to crosscultural mission partnerships. Since then I presented this topic in a variety of crosscultural settings with overwhelmingly positive reposnse.

Following a small retreat with Dr. Parrott and several other mission leaders and practitioners to further explore the implications of this concept, we created a blog for further discussion. I attach both Dr. Parrott’s and our document to this posting for your review and comment. We invite you to join the dialogue.