tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086978161944568008.post468585136222426213..comments2023-09-18T08:44:40.951-05:00Comments on faith in community: Tools for MissionariesDiane M. Rothhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07749136181846671327noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086978161944568008.post-29447564340199163622012-02-23T04:41:38.785-06:002012-02-23T04:41:38.785-06:00Diane -- Ijust wrote a lengthy comment but it didn...Diane -- Ijust wrote a lengthy comment but it didn't "take." I find your thoughts and articulation insightful and useful. I was part of a panel talking with our high school youth on Sunday about living into the Kingdom of God. One of them asked about "The Great Commision." It occurred to me that we are all called to BE the Gospel, a call to love, heal, forgive, clothe, advocate, share, and more. What if we took seriously this call and pairing it with the ELCA's awesome accompaniment model of mission and prepared ourselves thusly? I think our congregations teach about Jesus and his life but we don't spend nearly enough time practicing it so that it becomes our reflexive behavior. I hope you will share this posting more widely! Thank you.bocklykehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05142281999631744408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1086978161944568008.post-58375410664871446002012-02-21T21:59:45.259-06:002012-02-21T21:59:45.259-06:00You're certainly talking about an accompanimen...You're certainly talking about an accompaniment model which is crucial. When I was a missionary in the '80s, the people I worked with referred to it as friendship evangelism. The idea was not to befriend in order to evangelize, but to befriend whether or not there was ever any interest in the gospel. When there was interest, it was because people had seen the gospel lived out and we could say, "Come and see." <br /><br />Thanks so much for this wonderful post. We would not see declining numbers if each member took your words to heart.<br /><br />Blessings.Ivyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05132396587581088115noreply@blogger.com