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We had a guest on Sunday morning speak to us about the work they are doing with our adopted people group in Asia. Peter was obviously talking about overseas mission, but it struck me how relevant his words were for mission in Mitcham. Here’s a few things I wrote down in my notes:

1. “We’ve spent the last few years learning the language.”

I’m not sure how many years he was talking about, but it reminded me of the importance of the ‘incarnation’ in terms of mission. Jesus came to be one of us. We go and become part of the group we are trying to reach. And that takes time. We don’t set things up and expect people to come to us - that is simply self righteous arrogance - but instead do the hard work and get to know, and be part of, the culture we are trying to reach.

2. “In learning about a new culture, I realised that some things needed to change, but some things didn’t.”

This is really important. While it is obvious that much in the Western culture runs contrary to the values of the Kingdom, there are some things that don’t. Sometimes, however, our church tradition elevates these later, less important things, to the point where we make them Kingdom values.

This second point contains a powerful reality check for us: God likes a lot of things that we don’t. How we dress, when we meet, what we do when we meet etc, are all things that contain much flexibility. When we start saying “You HAVE to meet at this or that time” then we have lost the plot. God wants us to meet, but if our culture indicates that meeting in a cafe is more appropriate for the discipleship of post-modern people, then let’s do it.

We should never forget, though, that there are some things we should stand against. The things that we learnt in our Micah Challenge Weekend are a good example.

3. “God chooses the natural and the ordinary. How is God working supernaturally through the natural things in YOUR life?”

Nice. My favourite stories of Jesus are those in which he does something amazing, but in such a way that it is behind the scenes with only a few people realising what has happened. Turning the water to wine is perhaps the best example. Peter’s words are a chalenge to look at the events of our days and weeks with God’s eyes, to see what amazing, miraculous things are taking place inthe midst of the ordinary.

If you have any to share, post a comment below.

Political and safety reasons mean I need to be vague interms of where Peter is working, but please be in prayer for the work he and his famly are involved in.