If the concept of salvation, regardless of variations in theology, is what unites the Christian Church worldwide, then why is the global Church, and even those local churches found in small communities for that matter, so disjointed?  In the previous issue of Matters of the Heart, it was determined that the local church itself radically differs by person, community, and the like.   By and by, it is perhaps this assortment of faith practices which allow the Gospel to be spread to multiple people groups and countries.

What’s more, these differences can create diversity amongst people and a multiplicity of ways to be sensitive to the guiding and leading of the Holy Spirit in sharing the “Good News.”  Yet, it is this same diversity which has created a distorted view of Christianity worldwide, particularly for those serving in short or long-term missions.  The end result is that the Church is often found fighting an uphill battle of bad public relations.  Should it?  Is there a better way to reconcile the mixed bag of language, affluence, denominations, local governances, social patterns, and morays in order to do mission?

If the answer is yes, then those looking to serve would likely never set foot onto a mission field.  One might become so daunted by the task that it would be difficult to imagine where to begin.  If, however, the answer is no, then those wanting to serve would have to ask themselves what does missions look like?

David Livermore, author of Serving with Eyes Wide Open, states in his book, “More than one million people participate in short-term mission projects outside of North America every year—and millions more are involved in domestic cross-cultural missions [in the United States].  This is encouraging news.  But the work is not done.  There are weaknesses in our approach and practice.  And these volunteers need resources to help them prepare for effective cross-cultural engagement.”  How does the broader church hope to have an impact on the local church when we enter as guests into their world?

Interestingly, the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ study “Volunteering in the United States” shows that “in 2009, the main organization—the organization for which the volunteer worked the most hours during the year—was most frequently religious (34.0 percent of all volunteers), followed by educational or youth service related (26.1 percent).“  Clearly, Christians are serving and have a desire to impact the world around them but do those eager to serve go in humility or go to impose a preconceived agenda?  Perhaps there is no “right” answer.

When we practice the well-known theology of missions called the “ministry of presence” so often associated with Henri Nouwen, one finds, however, that serving abroad is a two-way street—so that those desiring to serve are also served by the presence of those they work alongside of, in whose land they have the privilege to serve.  Fuzz Kitto, a church growth mentor in Australia says, “When we go in humility to serve, we are also served.  There is little we really have to give than, that of presence, for it is the spirit-to-spirit connection of our humanity united in the image and likeness of God.  There is no greater joy than having the privilege of serving another human being in the name of Christ, for it is surely the way of Christ.  It is Incarnational.  It is the prayer of the Kingdom come on earth as in heaven.  The impact lifts us up to our true worth as it brings us down from our false images of importance.”

The simplicity of this message is more likely to keep the Church out of the troubling problems occasionally found on the mission field when trying to do the “right thing,” minimizing the differences in faith practice.  Take, for example, the recent alleged kidnapping fiasco in Haiti.  According to Christian Post’s recent article “Freed Haiti Volunteer: I Thought We Had All the Paperwork,” where Jim Allen, one of the eight American volunteers arrested for kidnapping and freed from jail while in Haiti said, “He believed the team had all the paperwork necessary to take Haitian children to an orphanage in the Dominican Republic.”  Good intentions do not necessarily make for good missions.

When the larger, global Church serves in mission, it strengthens the hands of the local church and pastor in a community.  By becoming an extension of the local church rather than the focus of the work itself, mission teams can better assist our brothers and sisters worldwide by extending and strengthening their specific local ministries.  Mission teams can then truly build community among the global Church even as we give local churches and pastors the tools to build community amongst their neighbors.  For, while we work on the mission field, God is often working on us as well.  Thus, the mission trip fulfills its purpose in multiple and meaningful ways.  It is possible that in the end, this may be enough—that the Gospel is shared and that the Church is built up one person at a time.