Tag equipping

Reached = Evangelized. Discipled. Equipped. Fully functioning¹ indigenous church established.

Unreached = No significant response to the Gospel message either by no exposure or no acceptance.  Also classified as least-reached which means less than or equal to 2% evangelical Christian, less than or equal to 5% professing Christian².

Unengaged² = a people group is not engaged when it has been merely adopted, is the object of focused prayer, or is part of an advocacy strategy.” At least four essential elements constitute effective engagement:

• apostolic effort in residence;
• commitment to work in the local language and culture;
• commitment to long-term ministry;
• sowing in a manner consistent with the goal of seeing a Church Planting Movement (CPM) emerge.

Photo courtesy of Andre James unsplash.com

I recently heard that only 5% of Native Americans (called “First Nations” in Canada) identify as Evangelical Christians.  When one considers that some Native Americans have been exposed to Christianity since the mid 1600’s, that is a startlingly low percentage.  Based upon the common understanding of the terms used in Missiology  (above) the Native American situation may not fit cleanly in any of them. Churches sporadically spot the reservation maps but most of them (so I am told) are not driven by a methodology that is indigenously motivated.  Starting a church on a reservation with the same mindset by which one would start a church in Columbus, Ohio will undoubtedly establish significant barriers before the launching of the initial Sunday service!

The 5% reception rate communicates one thing quite loudly; Whatever has been practiced for 300 years has not worked very well.  Endeavors to “reach” native Americans have failed to accomplish the task.  Well-meaning missionaries have sought to engage Native Americans for three centuries.  All but one of the Native American languages have had at least some Bible translation work done in them yet the conclusion my research is producing is that Indigenous Native American churches are almost unheard of.  My training and experience in working as a church planter to an indigenous people group in Papua New Guinea has caused me to conclude that mission methodology may be the primary culprit.   When missions is driven by assimilation goals that are culturally, linguistically and historically insensitive it is highly unlikely that anything close to an indigenous church will result.  This is why, perhaps, the term mis-reached is the most accurate term to describe the attempts to reach Native Americans.

On another blog I will detail some of the social issues obstacles in Native American societies.  For now, understand that it is a condition that demonstrates the terrible darkness that Satan produces when unimpeded by the Gospel’s presence.  It is a reality that only Jesus can remedy.

Will you pray with me about this?  I desire to help in this dilemma in some way.  Perhaps my training and experience could be of some service.  I will be exploring some options out west in September.  Please pray for the 567 federally recognized Native American Tribes (326 Reservations) that exist in our country.

¹Fully functioning based upon the church planting principles of Self-governing, Self-sustaining, Self-propagating.  These three concepts mean the church is not dependent on outside assistance in any way and the initiative and drive to maintain these principles comes from within the people group rather than from outsiders.

² https://joshuaproject.net/help/definitions

We live in an age of expertise.  Everything from the medical world to athletics, and computer technology to engineering, the workforce has gotten more specialized.  Authorities in certain areas a called upon constantly in the media for their opinions.  Training has gotten more specific and the workplace for that training has narrowed because of it.  This is the natural progression of a society that is learning more and applying that knowledge as a service to humanity.

Photo courtesy of Rita Morais (Unsplash.com)

Is there, however, a caution necessary when considering this and the role of a disciple?  Is there potential for us to approach being a disciple of Jesus with a “specialist mindset”?  If so, is there potential for too many people top feel “unqualified”?  How “expert” must one be to fulfill the great commission of Christ to make disciples?  Or, even to witness for Christ in one’s neighborhood?

Amos is an individual who shatters the specialist theory within the confines of the work of the Lord.  By his own admission this prophet did not have the specific training or background to do what God commanded him to do.

¹⁴ Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah:

“I was no prophet,
Nor was I a son of a prophet,
But I was a sheepbreeder
And a tender of sycamore fruit.
¹⁵ Then the Lord took me as I followed the flock,
And the Lord said to me,
‘Go, prophesy to My people Israel.’

Amos 7:14-15

As a sheepbreeder or “herdsman” (as some translations put it), his expertise was in a different area.  He even clarifies his lack of pedigree further by saying he was not the son of a prophet.  What he was, though, was obedient. The Lord told him to go and proclaim God’s truth.  Talk about a career shift!

Amos was from Tekoa which was south of Jerusalem near the dead sea.  His northward mission was to a place where he was considered a foreigner.  He was the representative of the Lord’s message. A missionary.  He was not groomed, nor trained as a preacher.  But, was used of the Lord because he obeyed the Lord when the Lord told him to go.

His bold message was communicated in a place devoid of the Gospel’s presence.  His influence was so significant it was annoyingly, acknowledged to the king!

 ¹⁰ Then Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent to Jeroboam king of Israel, saying, “Amos has conspired against you in the midst of the house of Israel. The land is not able to bear all his words.

Let’s let the example of Amos ring out loud and clear.  The Lord equips those willing to be used.  Every breathing believer has been given a command by Jesus… GO (Matthew 28:18-20).  Let’s allow the Lord to direct the extent of that going because Jesus has already outlined the plan…

⁸ …you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

We need to look no further than the book of Acts to see how that power of the Holy Spirit used common people in extraordinary ways to accomplish astounding things.

Dear resolute, active, harvest-minded disciple, let’s go in confidence that the Lord equips, specializes and empowers those who are determined to follow His plan…regionally, nationally, internationally and to the farthest reaches of the earth (Acts 1:8).