Lausanne World Pulse – World Pulse Archives – World Pulse Archives
“After 15 years, I’m giving up my Final Analysis column in World Pulse,” I explained.
“Oh,” he said, still uncertain about my figure of speech.
“What I mean is, I’m finished. I’ve given it my best shot and now it’s time for someone else to put on the spikes.”
Fifty-eight years ago I got my start in journalism as a sports writer, and some of those clichés stick with me like a blob of gum on my shoe. They are useful at times like this.
Whitney Martin, a veteran Associated Press sports columnist when I worked on the paper, called his daily output “The Sports Trail.” I’ve worked the “missions trail” for a long time, and this is how it looks to me. Over the last half-century I’ve seen an incredible explosion of missionary interest and output, including both American and foreign churches and individuals. You can track this with a host of statistics that show new missionaries, new agencies, new ways of doing evangelism and church planting, new relief and development projects, new technologies and so on.
I’ve seen new degrees of cooperation and fellowship that have enhanced and empowered the church’s world mission. I’ve seen new, bold, creative leaders take their places with innovations that have attracted many people to Christ. I’ve seen churches planted and growing all around the globe, including the hard places, because missionaries were willing to invest their lives to bring Jesus to people who need to know him.
I’ve seen the so-called old, receiving churches spring to new life with missionary vision and passion so strong that we in the US are now playing catch-up.
This in turn has led to changing dynamics of leadership and partnership styles that were long overdue.
Colonialism and paternalism have not been eradicated, but I have seen significant changes. More Americans are behaving like Jesus’ servants than Gentile overlords.
Missionary giving and prayer support have blossomed across our land. Mighty movements of the Holy Spirit have brought world missions to the forefront of hundreds of new US churches. At my first Urbana student missionary convention in 1951, I was one of about 3,000. Now they close registrations early to keep the number under 20,000. And what can I say about tentmaker missionaries and short-term teams? They have radically changed the world missions landscape.
Over 15 years I have tried to expose some of our shortcomings, not to be critical but to be redemptive, because there is always room for improvement. I would like to think that some people have noticed and changed for the better. I have been extremely gratified by letters, e-mails and phone calls of appreciation, plus those that have exposed flaws in my thinking. I have become a better person and, I hope, a better contributor to what God is doing around the world. To have been called by God to serve in world missions is a great honor and privilege.
I opened with a sports metaphor; I’ll close with a scene that’s repeated every year at Hollywood’s Oscar awards ceremonies. The chosen person, on the verge of choking, grips the statuette and says, “I’d like to thank everyone who made this possible.” There follows an extended list of accomplices in this great achievement.
Those who deserve the credit for whatever good Final Analysis has accomplished are far too numerous to mention. They include many friends, editors and staff at EMIS and wise counselors and critics who sharpened my thinking. I take full blame for all the mistakes and misguided missiles.
To God be the praise, honor and glory. It’s been a magnificent ride. I would not trade it for anything.