2 Timothy 1:1-2 reads:
“You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”

We attended a graduation unlike any I had ever seen before. LIA hosted a 10 day training session for pastors wanting to effectively minister to their communities spiritual AND physical needs, as well as developing leaders in a simultaneous Training of Trainers course. We had the privilege of helping them celebrate their achievements. It was more like a worship service than a commencement. Each graduate had a testimony to share about the fruits that were already being harvested in their local congregations. What an awesome time of fellowship and witnessing strong Christians become qualified to teach others.

During the event, all I could think about was the need for the American church to employ these same principles of holistic ministry. We do satisfactory jobs at tackling either spiritual, in church, or physical, on missions, but rarely do we put it all together for the average seeker. Yes you can find exceptions in homeless ministries and other likewise services for the monetarily poor. What is the Church doing about climate change? Child neglect? The recession? Abortion? Lack of health insurance for 60+million people? These burdens are intensely physical, but are affecting more people than need to be forgotten. These are not alone, they are endless. How do we 'incorporate scripture and ministry into these needs? That is what I’d like to explore more in the long term, maybe if you could think about these things and collaborate with our team when we get back.

My thoughts on this started when we had a great discussion with Pam and us Mi2ers about her work ministering to Islamic Somalis. She indicated the difficulties opposing their ministry, because what they teach in Islam is easy, do these 5 things and you will be a good Muslim. Christianity is hard, it takes faith, perseverance, and yet you are not guaranteed a prosperous earthly life. What we have that they don’t is hope (and so much more like grace, forgiveness, salvation, eternal life, etc… but let’s focus). And when we stop spreading this spiritual and physical hope, we miss the opportunity to spread the Truth and the people can fall into temptation that Christianity is not for them.
~Dan "ain't very tan" Bachman