Our reason for Time-Out
We realised that although there were many reasons why we loved our church and were fully supportive of the overall vision there were a number of initiatives introduced over the last four years that we struggled to support. We very nearly left at the same time as some others, but one of the reasons we remained was the need for mission support. Over the summer we began to question if we should belong to a church mostly because of mission support. We are still asking that question.
The Initiatives that concerned us
- Teaching (Wild at Heart, Purpose Driven Life, Hearing from God, Spiritual Formation)
- Wild at Heart (Rites of Passage)
- IHOP – Bickle
- London Citizens
- The Guardian of the Community of Aiden and Hilda
- Membership mode
- Governance mode
- An emphasis on relational synergy (at the expense of pastoral care)
Time-Out
One of the main lessons we have learned from time-out (so far) is that we should follow God’s road-map in terms of returning to High Asia. (not our road map or the church/mission road map). I think it behoves us all to seek God for his road map. God has always provided the specific location and specific mandate when I need it. He did not give me a specific mandate for Jumla until I was in Nepal. I have spent much of the last 10 years spying out the land and completed a PhD on the people so I am not sure what purpose a recci would serve. Although conceptually bringing the whole church on board is quite visionary I am not sure how practical it is. I found that every time I went overseas (for 3 years at a time) the composition and membership had changed dramatically.
Mandate
I did provide a general mandate several months ago and I have reviewed my Journal over the last few days. I do believe the Lord has called me to be a “warrior and a mouthpiece” and prepare the way for the gospel. “Warrior” suggests spiritual warfare (and mapping) and “mouthpiece” suggests prophetic watching insight and speaking. “Without prophetic insight the people perish”. Several people have also mentioned “teacher” to me! (one was yesterday)
We asked church leadership if we could take time-out of church activities to seek his face but we were not released