So we spent a few days tagging along with an evangelistic outreach team from Calvary Chapel in California. It was the same group we'd worked with two summers ago. it was funny to see some familiar faces and encouraging to see their commitment to Budapest. It's inspired me to say a few words more about 'what works' in the mission field.
From what we've observed there is a tremendous pressure on missionaries- long term in country residents and short term visitors- to quantify the 'results' of their trips or experiences abroad. What form these quantifiable results takes, depends largely on the type of sending church or sending organization. But their is a palpable sense of disappointment in many if they are not able to "lead someone to Christ."
When we were here in Budapest two summer ago we completely immersed ourselves in the approach of our host organization. A wonderful organization, and one that has been here in the city since the curtain came down in 1989. We experienced incredible leading of the Holy Spirit, we benefitted greatly from the emphasis on constant prayer- we came to depend on the the Holy Spirit- which shows up as heart pounding, nervous, palm sweating aversion mostly- to point us in the right direction. Always with uncanny accuracy.
But the pressure is on "conversions". To lead people to pray the "sinner's prayer" to accept Christ as Lord and Saviour, to repent of "sins" and welcome the Holy Spirit into their lives. In a 10-15 minute encounter on a street corner or in a city park.
When the curtain fell, we are told, just the novelty of being permitted to meet in a public place drew hundreds of curious Hungarians. The sound equipment which was used, was also a novelty, an import, and helped draw crowds. As you can imagine, 20 yrs later, those curiosities have- not become commonplace- but far less impressive. Also, the buffet of ideologies offered on the street corner has grown considerably.
The Mormons, Krishna's, Nationalists, Buddhists and Christians all share the same space. Buffet style, curious onlookers will float from "booth to booth" perusing the offers of each ideology.
This irks you doesn't it? It seems that Truth, the one we capitalize, should transcend this sort of thing. It should hover, permeate, be more than a choice in a buffet line.
I suppose the major difference between these offerings is the cost. At check out, the full cost of accepting Christ, of following Christ, of losing your life so you will find it, should plainly separate it from the rest. The cost is, or should be if taken seriously, much, much greater.
When I was singing the other night in Deak Square, I noticed a statue to a Lutheran pastor who "with the help of God" rescued 2000 women and children from the gas chambers in World War 2. The crowd was quite international, Deak has become "fashion square" and the crowd was made up of Germans, French, Italians and Hungarians. But I wanted to invoke THAT story with my words. And I also felt it was important to begin by explaining that the story we are trying to tell does not begin, but end, with Jesus. The story begins before the world itself began. A time before America, and Europe- but I mentioned that maybe the Magyar's were there at the beginning. The "Magyars" are the mysterious Euro-Asian tribe that gave birth to the Hungarian nation. It was kind of a joke- but I noticed that when I referred to the Hungarian culture- and the work of God throughout that history- the Hungarians at least- paid attention.
I guess this is my point. That the pressure on missionaries to "win souls" is like pressuring DaVinci to produce a scientific rendering of David. It's un necessary and unimportant in the face of the art- and the poetry- of loving a person- or a culture- into the Kingdom. Of making something beautiful of your life and the lives of those around you. Something pure, and real. So much more than a choice among many.
I don't pretend to know- or have answers. My time here is always too short. But, there you have it. A few thoughts from the "field." With Love and Gratitude :)- C+ M
1 comments:
We know that ultimately salvation is the Spirit's role. Our role as witnesses is to be faithful in sharing the Good News and giving our individual testimonies of God's saving power at work in us. This is something I know both of you do very well. Salvation will come to those who ask for it when it is supposed to come. God is always on time and his Spirit will always enter in when invited. An important note is that the Spirit never forces its way in. The story of the 'marketplace' of ideas on public view on the streets and terraces of Budapest sounds much like Athens was in Paul's day. May God grant both of you Wisdom and Discernment and may the Holy Spirit fill you with Power as you testify about Jesus who Lives!
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