I was recently invited to interview a young graduate who was expressing interest in working for a Christian organisation abroad. When I asked him what were the main reasons for his interest he replied, ‘I would like to travel around Europe and be financially secure’.
Such a reply would stagger our missionary forebears. But it does reflect some of the shifts that have occurred in the post-modern age, and the generational gap between today’s students and the missionary era of Livingstone.
The Context
As we seek to actively engage in world mission, there are several hurdles to be overcome in our mind and attitudes.
First, there is the individualism of our age and the shrinking horizons of many Christians. We know that Western culture breeds such individualism and it is something of a paradox that, as globalism gathers pace, people increasingly retreat into their private world. In a conversation with Christians working in the institutions of the European Union in Brussels, I was struck by their expression of concern that, at a time when you would expect European Christians to be more actively involved in partnership across the continent, the reverse appears to be happening. People are much more interested in their own country, their own denomination, their own church and their own personal Christian life.
Secondly, there is undoubtedly a greater stress on self-fulfilment and a more comfortable discipleship. Whilst in the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) we are able to tell stories of remarkable commitment and sacrificial service on the part of hundreds of young people around the world who are giving their energies to missionary endeavour, they are definitely swimming against the tide in the evangelical sub-culture. When challenged to reflect on mission opportunities, it comes more naturally to reflect on questions of career, insurance, pension and security than it would have done even twenty years ago. It is commonly observed that the generational issue also impacts the issue of commitment, with many volunteers considering short-term programmes but few signing up for the long haul. Related to this, we could also note the strong performance orientation within university life and the development of the ‘career ego’, which can also influence Christian thinking inappropriately.
And thirdly, we should also note the increased theological crisis of confidence. The impact of pluralism has resulted in a loss of nerve on the part of many of us. We are no longer sure that we can proclaim the uniqueness of Christ and this saps us of motivation when it comes to declaring the gospel worldwide.
The Result
The impact of these trends is significant. First, there is an obvious introspection and a consequent loss of perspective. We become concerned about our own life and future, and there is less interest in issues of global concern. With the possible exception of the environmental lobby, many of us fail to engage with international political and social issues.
This inevitably leads to a loss of interest in global needs, and in university Christian Unions there are shrinking world prayer groups, and missionary secretaries dropped from Executive Committees.
And finally, we encounter a consumer mentality, where we are much more interested in ‘what’s on offer for me’ which can sometimes feed the wrong motivations.
A Compassionate Response from Mission Agencies?
If this is the broad context, it is proper that mission agencies and churches should respond to our present generation with compassionate support. For example, the growing demands for team work and good support structures, coupled with higher expectations of pastoral care, all need to be acknowledged and, where possible, provided for. There is no doubt that the task of global mission should include a strong emphasis on the care of the worker, the Biblical concept of team work, and proper structures of support, supervision and accountability.
Second, most mission agencies in the West have also recognised the importance of short-term programmes, allowing students the opportunity to gain a taste of cross-cultural work. Testing gifts and aptitude, but also making a significant contribution to the task of world mission during that short-term experience.
Third, students may come from a fractured background where the impact of family or social background substantially affects their spiritual and emotional wellbeing, and where proper pastoral care is essential. They may come from a background where Biblical teaching has been limited and good models of Christian leadership have been scarce. It is therefore helpful to have churches and mission agencies who can help students move steadily forward in their Christian life, understanding the global dimension of their discipleship and equipping them appropriately for the task.
Biblical Orientation
This includes the necessary Biblical orientation on fundamental theological themes. First, we need to understand the nature of God’s purposes in his world, the many dimensions of his mission and the centrality of that theme throughout Scripture.
Second, we need to expand our vision of the nature of the church. It is an international global family, not solely Western, or British, or my small group. This encourages us to recognise our partnership with Christians in other cultures and stresses corporate responsibility in the task of mission.
Third, we need to learn the realities of the Christian life, with a call to more radical discipleship which sees Christian living in the context of God’s overall mission. We may have to reorientate our thinking, so we see, for example, that empowering by the Spirit is for the purpose of mission rather than for personal fulfilment, that professional life lived out with integrity is as central to mission as so-called ‘full-time’ mission, that the global fellowship of the church demands a realistic sharing of resources, and that Christian discipleship demands an availability and flexibility in obedience to the Lordship of Christ.
Fourth, we need to look to and learn from strong models within the Christian community. Church leaders et cetera who have a strong personal commitment to the task of world mission, reflected in their interests, praying, reading and involvement.
Practical Encouragements
The history of student ministry in Britain is a record of strong missionary commitment, with small student groups giving sacrificially to see the cause of student mission extend around the world. The International Fellowship of which UCCF is a part is a wonderfully encouraging environment. There are many stories emerging from Latin America, Africa and Asia which can set our own attitudes in the West into proper perspective and inspire a more wholehearted commitment to the needs of the world. As we are exposed to the more radical commitments of students in other parts of the world we are led to review our own activities in Christian Unions, refocusing our aims and purposes.
And then we live in an age which gives us unique access to information of all kinds. The careful use of resources can give us much more innovative prayer. It can also lead to closer expressions of partnership through adoption schemes and twinning relationships, and help us understand the missionary challenge which is not only across the other side of the world but right in the middle of our own culture.
One of the telling truths which emerges in the Book of Revelation, as John lifts the curtain and surveys the landscape of heaven, is that the worshipping community is not only fully international, but Christo-centric in its orientation, praising the Lamb who was slain. There is no avoiding the implication that our Christian lives are set in the context of the unfolding purposes of God, who will be worshipped by people of every nation, tribe, people and language, and who will secure that purpose through the unique work of Jesus himself.
Once that vision gets under our skin, it will change the way we read the Bible and watch the news, refocus our prayers, touch our pockets, shape our motivations, re-order our value system, and enrich our perspective on God’s church and the glory of the gospel.
Jonathan Lamb, IFES Regional Secretary for Europe and CIS
Article originally printed in Interact, Spring 2000 - A Global View
