Comments on: Dependency in Missions http://www.moneymissions.com/ben/culture/dependency-in-missions/ Candid Talk from Christian Missionaries Thu, 28 Aug 2008 09:16:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Bethany http://www.moneymissions.com/ben/culture/dependency-in-missions/#comment-2441 Bethany Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:02:59 +0000 http://www.moneymissions.com/ben/culture/dependency-in-missions/#comment-2441 Thank you so much everyone for responding! May God bless you! Thank you so much everyone for responding! May God bless you!

]]> By: Ben http://www.moneymissions.com/ben/culture/dependency-in-missions/#comment-1301 Ben Fri, 26 Oct 2007 22:39:20 +0000 http://www.moneymissions.com/ben/culture/dependency-in-missions/#comment-1301 Wendy, Nice article written by Rick (Ricardo) Johnson. I believe I met him a couple of years back. The story of Marcos is impressive. Do you know if he is still in action? Wendy,

Nice article written by Rick (Ricardo) Johnson. I believe I met him a couple of years back.

The story of Marcos is impressive. Do you know if he is still in action?

]]> By: Wendy http://www.moneymissions.com/ben/culture/dependency-in-missions/#comment-1289 Wendy Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:18:44 +0000 http://www.moneymissions.com/ben/culture/dependency-in-missions/#comment-1289 Ben, You're right that we shouldn't be throwing around the word "dependency" at the first sniff of benevolence. However, I would add two points. 1. Cross-cultural dependency brings danger by relieving local (read: Mexican) Christians of their biblical responsibility to care for the poor in their own community. If our cross-cultural ministry diminishes local believers' motivation to invest in God's work in their community - even if they would only be giving pennies - then we are robbing our Mexican brothers and sisters of their God-given role. Scroll down to the story of Marcos in this article for an example: http://www.missionfrontiers.org/2000/03/mexico.htm 2. We can unwittingly send unbiblical messages about the identity of the poor when we give in certain ways. I won't go into a lengthy explanation here, but this idea is unpacked on the Poverty Unlocked podcast. http://www.povertyunlocked.com Again, Ben, great post. I'm glad to have found your site. Wendy Ben,

You’re right that we shouldn’t be throwing around the word “dependency” at the first sniff of benevolence. However, I would add two points.

1. Cross-cultural dependency brings danger by relieving local (read: Mexican) Christians of their biblical responsibility to care for the poor in their own community. If our cross-cultural ministry diminishes local believers’ motivation to invest in God’s work in their community - even if they would only be giving pennies - then we are robbing our Mexican brothers and sisters of their God-given role. Scroll down to the story of Marcos in this article for an example: http://www.missionfrontiers.org/2000/03/mexico.htm

2. We can unwittingly send unbiblical messages about the identity of the poor when we give in certain ways. I won’t go into a lengthy explanation here, but this idea is unpacked on the Poverty Unlocked podcast. http://www.povertyunlocked.com

Again, Ben, great post. I’m glad to have found your site.

Wendy

]]> By: Ben http://www.moneymissions.com/ben/culture/dependency-in-missions/#comment-1186 Ben Tue, 02 Oct 2007 15:50:10 +0000 http://www.moneymissions.com/ben/culture/dependency-in-missions/#comment-1186 Don writes: "I think you and your husband know what I am saying." Just so that our readers are clear, I believe Don is responding to Bethany Sudler's comment above. Don writes: “I think you and your husband know what I am saying.”

Just so that our readers are clear, I believe Don is responding to Bethany Sudler’s comment above.

]]> By: Don http://www.moneymissions.com/ben/culture/dependency-in-missions/#comment-1183 Don Tue, 02 Oct 2007 10:26:57 +0000 http://www.moneymissions.com/ben/culture/dependency-in-missions/#comment-1183 Hi: My wife and I have been active missionaries in Papua New Guinea as well as planting a church here in the USA during our time here. We have always made it out practice not to disclose our amount needed when speaking in churches to raise funds, but we lift the need up to our Lord who called us into this work and he has never failed to supply the amount needed, some times to the exact amount. Two years ago we established a nation wide ministry in PNG and have returned to the USA to continue to raise funds for the on going expansion of that work. We believe that the Lord is directing us to build a large chain of HIV/AIDS care centers along with planting churches. We have put together the amount needed to build the first center and supporting village industries to assist the ongoing projects, and feel that we need to reach out to foundational support of this venture, so onec again we believe that God will direct us to the right foundation and bless them as they provide the financing . We believe that where God leads he also will provide for the work he has put in front of us, but we need to step out in faith believing. I think you and your husband know what I am saying. May He lead you and provide for all your hearts desire. Hi: My wife and I have been active missionaries in Papua New Guinea as well as planting a church here in the USA during our time here. We have always made it out practice not to disclose our amount needed when speaking in churches to raise funds, but we lift the need up to our Lord who called us into this work and he has never failed to supply the amount needed, some times to the exact amount.
Two years ago we established a nation wide ministry in PNG and have returned to the USA to continue to raise funds for the on going expansion of that work. We believe that the Lord is directing us to build a large chain of HIV/AIDS care centers along with planting churches. We have put together the amount needed to build the first center and supporting village industries to assist the ongoing projects, and feel that we need to reach out to foundational support of this venture, so onec again we believe that God will direct us to the right foundation and bless them as they provide the financing .
We believe that where God leads he also will provide for the work he has put in front of us, but we need to step out in faith believing. I think you and your husband know what I am saying. May He lead you and provide for all your hearts desire.

]]> By: Arnau van Wyngaard http://www.moneymissions.com/ben/culture/dependency-in-missions/#comment-1091 Arnau van Wyngaard Thu, 13 Sep 2007 13:01:50 +0000 http://www.moneymissions.com/ben/culture/dependency-in-missions/#comment-1091 Financing missions is always difficult. I would suggest that you start with a group that will commit themselves to prayer for your ministry. Obviously finances will also have to be prayed about. I have seen time and time again how the Lord provides the money that is needed. Financing missions is always difficult. I would suggest that you start with a group that will commit themselves to prayer for your ministry. Obviously finances will also have to be prayed about. I have seen time and time again how the Lord provides the money that is needed.

]]> By: Bethany Sudler http://www.moneymissions.com/ben/culture/dependency-in-missions/#comment-1089 Bethany Sudler Wed, 12 Sep 2007 22:37:46 +0000 http://www.moneymissions.com/ben/culture/dependency-in-missions/#comment-1089 Hello everyone. My name is Bethany and my husband and I do missions overseas to India, Africa, Philippines, and hopefully Pakistan. We are having trouble getting financial help and would like some advise. Thanks so much! Hello everyone. My name is Bethany and my husband and I do missions overseas to India, Africa, Philippines, and hopefully Pakistan.
We are having trouble getting financial help and would like some advise.
Thanks so much!

]]> By: Arnau van Wyngaard http://www.moneymissions.com/ben/culture/dependency-in-missions/#comment-1073 Arnau van Wyngaard Mon, 10 Sep 2007 06:45:43 +0000 http://www.moneymissions.com/ben/culture/dependency-in-missions/#comment-1073 Well said. Your example of the Christian school at home is exactly on target, which just shows how we use two different sets of norms when we avaluate dependency. A few minutes ago I posted my views on exactly the same topic when I did a short review on John Rowell's book: To give or not to give? You can find it on my blog at http://missionissues.wordpress.com/ and you will also find links to my two reviews on Glenn Schwarz's book: When Charity destroys dignity, which holds an opposing view. I would appreciate your comments there as well. Well said. Your example of the Christian school at home is exactly on target, which just shows how we use two different sets of norms when we avaluate dependency.

A few minutes ago I posted my views on exactly the same topic when I did a short review on John Rowell’s book: To give or not to give? You can find it on my blog at http://missionissues.wordpress.com/ and you will also find links to my two reviews on Glenn Schwarz’s book: When Charity destroys dignity, which holds an opposing view. I would appreciate your comments there as well.

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