Many things broke my heart, especially the condition of American Christians. What had happened to the zeal for missions and outreach that made this nation so great? . . . Here were people of great privilege–a nation more able, more affluent and more free to act on the Great Commission than any other in all of history. Yet my audiences did not seem to comprehend this. . . . While much of the world is concerned mainly about where its next meal is coming from, affluent North Americans spend most of their wages and waking moments planning unnecessary purchases.
– K.P. Yohannan
Christ Alone Wyoming 
GENERALLY SPEAKING, Mr. Yohannan is right – that churches aren’t as missions-minded as in the past. However, certain Christian denominations and organizations are eclipsing previous generations. Look at the Southern Baptists! I’m not SB, but I have many good friends who are, but their Lottie Moon offering has raised over 1.5 BILLION dollars for missions in the last twenty years. They also have folks lined up to go overseas – not just for short term trips, but career! And these folks are all about sharing the Gospel.
And then you have all the parachurch organizations that have sprung up in the last few decades, who do AMAZING work sending people, supplies, monies – all in the name of Jesus Christ – to some of the most inaccessable places in the world. YWAM, Samaratin’s Purse, Pioneers, etc.
Now, the ones who are really SUCKING at this are the mainline churches. My church, for example, (The Presbyterian Church USA) is the most well-endowed church in the country. We are sitting on MILLIONS upon MILLIONS of dollars. And we are perched on the edge of possibly having to bring mission workers (who get paid nickels and dimes) off the Field BECAUSE OUR MISSIONS DIVISION DOESN’T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO SUPPORT THEM. Meanwhile, the churches argue and bicker about how they are going to paint the sanctuary or asphalt the parking lot.
Now, there are folks in the PC(USA) and other mainline churches who realize the futility of this, and want to change things so that the main thing is the main thing again, but they are few and far between. The reins are in the hands of people who want things to stay exactly the same as they’ve always been, and don’t see the forest for the trees.
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We finally agree on something Nathan. Welcome to the fold. :o)
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I told you we could find common ground! Now, let’s host a movie night together. 😉
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Only after you read “Ashamed of the Gospel” by John MacArthur.
P.S. The link to your blog doesn’t work. :o(
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answeringchurchofchrist.wordpress.com
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