| Relating with local Christians From AB, 2004: Interview with MD and SD: wherever you go or missionary goes there is church - as soon as there are 2 or 3 gathered together in Christ’s name - sharing in worship w/ local Christians is high priority o whether you can understand w/ them or not, sit in the chair with them, experience the worship together, greeting/meeting/drinking - relationship w/ sister church o Details of your calling will have an effect how you relate to local church. § It is important to identify w/ the church body § you may not formally be a member of that body, but act like it o See yourself as a 2 way ambassador § home church to local church § local church to home church when you return
Quotes from the book Stepping Out. From chapter “Trial by Team” by Dave Hicks: - “the number one problem in missionary work today is broken, strained relationships (stepping out 97)” - when our relationships are strong, enormous resource are released to accomplish the work of God (97)” - “we must know the reality of allowing God’s love to cover our interaction with others (98)”
From chapter “No Longer Strangers” by Steven T. Hoke - “Many ministry opportunities are missed by short-termers because their attitude is that of ministering to, not ministering among or with (109).” - “Relationships of trust emerged as fear and ignorance were replaced by knowledge and empathy gained through nightly story telling and visits in each other’s homes (110).” - “Your information gathering will reveal some barriers. Try to identify the most significant barriers (110).”
From SK 2004: Papua New Guinea Experience Religions really work together to proclaim the Gospel. No denomination segregation they all work together.
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