The Challenge

I am not arguing that doing a mission trip is bad, I am arguing that breaking our attachments to our stuff can make us far more valuable for the gospel to the needy. I am arguing that if people truly see the value of Christ, their iPods and Xboxes and tvs will pale in comparison and it fact be counted to us as rubbish. Enabling us to give up on this lifestyle and sell it all and give it to the poor and then make it our life’s mission to be Christ to people in need, not held back by our stuff. I am arguing that although a weeks long mission trip might transform our lives, a lifelong mission could change the lives of many others who are hurting.

I think it is too easy for us to ignore the cries of the hurting by turning away from them and turning on some music or a video game as a distraction. The paragraph you quoted was meant to show the irony of our culture when taken on mission. It was intended to show that we can never truly understand what its like to be poor and live in houses that are falling apart when we help them during the day or week or whatever, and go to our homes or hotels and be able to wash away or feelings by watching some American Idol in our air conditioned rooms.

I have read my post a number of times now, as well as your original post. If I have misunderstood, then please let me know. I understand your disdain for America’s consumerism. I understand how it can shield our eyes from the brokeness of the world. What I wanted to make sure of was that you were clear that in our culture at North, any week of work we give is framed correctly and spiritually. I just sensed some cyncism and wanted to confront that. I love you brother, and I hope I have not hurt you with my post. It was not meant to be toxic, but direct. I think you can appreciate that.

What does that paragraph have to do with the Piper video?

Are you saying that you don’t understand why a church/congregation would take time away to love on some people that are in need, not just less than us-but real need? Maybe you are unclear as to those trips’ goals… in the name of Christ we build, feed, comfort, treat, and fellowhip.

Do you think Christ would have any concern for that land? Have you ever taken a week’s worth of time away from your job/family to spend with people in an impoverished land? It helps achieve the very thing you preach against in your post. It frames your ‘wealth’ very nicely. As a matter of fact, I would submit that a week’s worth of time in DR would force you to rethink your own list of ‘things.’ It did for me. That is just ONE benefit for me, as selfish as it sounds. To work with people less than me helps me become grateful, or better yet, willing to let go… but that’s just one benefit.

D… don’t think for a minute that our church, and I know you didn’t say this – but you came very close, is more concerned about people’s creature comforts in extremely imporverished areas like Africa, SE Asia, Central America, et al than it is about their enternal comfort. I just know that when you read the Bible, Jesus Christ himself met the physical need first then almost simultaneously dealt with the eternal need. The two went hand in hand. I don’t see him standing off in the shadows condemning people like the Pharisees… he touched them – he wept over their need – and yes, he died for their ultimate need.

I, too, hate the prosperity gospel. It breaks my heart. It has sold our very own countrymen a way to have their cake and eat it too, and sadly the world is trying to punch their ticket to the American Dream. That isn’t the cross we are to carry… it isn’t a cross at all. Just please be careful in assuming that when churches send teams that “take vacation time from work (so that we still get paid) and heading over seas for a week’s worth of work” are falling into that snare of perpetuating the American way of life – a life of entitlement.

Maybe you need to go on the DR trip to put your mind/heart at rest. Tell you what, I will leave my iPod here (yes I have one) and you leave your XBox and plasma TV at your place and let’s just see what God does. Deal? Let’s go tell some people that are dying from disease, dying from extreme poverty that fails to produce any sort of nutrition for their family, and dying from their own sin about a Savior that will provide everything they need… a cure to the hole in their heart. You just may have to show them how much you love them before they hear how much Christ loves them.