Is Missions Support Broken?

I recently read a piece written by a missionary. He gave eight reasons why he believed the current system of missionary support is broken and needs serious repair. As far as I can tell, current missionary support is the best it has been in history. The stories of what the Anabaptists did to reach other fields is another short of heroic. Hudson Taylor’s stories of support on his field are stuff faith is built upon. Modern missions agencies sometimes blame the poor support, or lack thereof, for David Brainard’s early death. I am not sure there would ever be a means of missions support that would be perfect and would not require faith. I do not know his personal situation and am I sure that, given the fallen nature of humanity, there have been missionaries unnecessarily hurt through carelessness, or worse.

I do not believe it is my place to give this missionary’s name or to repeat his points in full.[1] My eight responses are meant to serve as solutions to his objections. They lose some weight without the context but here they are.

 

"This is in no way meant to be a slam. Honestly. As a pastor, I have a few struggles too. But here are some solutions I have thought about.

1. Praise

There are people who literally work to retire to do what you do and travel the country.  It can be brutal. But look for the praises.

2. Trust

Trust God and resist the temptation to compete.

3. Transparency 

Be yourself. You don’t need the support as much as you need integrity.

4. Honesty 

Don’t pad your letters. Tell the truth. If you have a real relationship with the churches, they will enjoy that.

5. Perspective. 

You don’t create your revenue. God provides for you.

6. Reproduction

You should honestly be asking God to send you only to those churches whose ministries reflect yours enough you can represent them. The church down the road is there for a reason.

7. Christ

He is with you. Many if not most pastors also never get pastored. They learn to lean on Christ.

8. Retreat 

I promise you I am exhausted too. But I have a day of rest promised me."

 

I should say that this missionary responded to my points in a gracious manner.

 

Marvin McKenzie

In the fields.

 

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[1] Here is the gist of his eight arguments. 1. Years spent travelling cross country at great risk to personal safety 2. Professionalism 3. Politicking 4. Reporting 5. Lifestyle of Hiding 6. Camps 7. Being unknown 8. We’re exhausted

Social Media is an Addiction

A growing number of authorities on the subject liken social media to a form of addiction:[1]

·       The user can’t control his intake

·       The addiction begins to rob his time and other talents

·       The addiction influences his mind and how he perceives the world around him

These comparisons are so valid that I am not sure there is anyone thinking about it who does not see it as an addiction.

Like any addiction, the addict becomes impaired by its use and no longer responds to real-life events in the rational manner they might otherwise without the influence of their “drug of choice.” They say things they almost certainly would not say in person, certainly not in a very public place.[2]

If those in contact with them will keep this in mind, it may help them to react differently toward their social media appearances.

1. Do not be an enabler

In this case, enablement would be to react in kind. They have posted or commented to a post in a way no rational person would had they not been under the influence. Do not reply in a manner that is equally irrational. It might be best to not reply at all.

2. Remember them as they are without the influence

Almost certainly the reason you see their posts and comments is that you have a previous relationship with them. You know them outside of the circle of social media. It is likely why it upsets you so much when you see them under the influence. They matter to you.[3] Allow your care for them to see passed their addictive behavior.

3. Provide a positive atmosphere

Give them a resource that is not so addictive. Provide for them something to see, to read, and to respond to that is likely not to elicit an addictive response. 

4. Pray for and love them

That, after all, is the command of the Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

Marvin McKenzie

In the fields

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[1] https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=social+media+addiction&hl=en&as_sdt=0&as_vis=1&oi=scholart, accessed 8-29-20

[2] The vast majority of social media users have no concept of exactly how very public social media really is.

[3] Or else mattered.

Liberty of Conscience

I guess we all prayed and perhaps expected that, by Fall, this COVID crisis would be a thing of the past. Not so, is it? Some of us are attempting to get on with our lives, but it has been challenging. It seems like the longer the thing stretches on, the more potential for division and disagreement. 

Now is a good time to practice grace! One of the strong doctrinal positions of Baptist churches in history has been that of “individual soul liberty.” It has applied primarily to the subject of worship. A person has a right to worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience. The doctrine leans heavily upon another Baptist distinctive, “separation of church and state.” Historically the Catholic, and then the Protestant churches, married with the state to force people to worship according to the dictates of the state-approved church. The doctrine has applications in this current climate. Every one of us must give every other one of us the liberty to find our own path through the fears this virus has stirred. 

Imagine living 500 years ago. Certain denominations were so sure they were right that they turned in people who disagreed or that didn’t comply. Those who were captured were tortured, sometimes to death, just because they owned a Bible, or refused to have their children baptized as babies, or baptized by immersion rather than sprinkling. England went through a period when the Catholics would gain the throne and kill all the Protestants, and then the Protestants would achieve it and try to kill all the Catholics. It was cruel, senseless, and heartless.

Please. Whatever your personal views of how to navigate this pandemic, let’s rise above pointing fingers at others. Let’s love one another, pray for one another, and give one another liberty of conscience.

Marvin McKenzie

In the fields

(Watch this video of the devastation California's dictates are having on just one of the churches in their state.) Dr Jack Trieber appeals for prayer.

 

COVID-19, Government Overreach, and Compromise

 In 1997 I pastored a small church I had planted in a small town in the state of Oregon. The thirteen years had been good to me. Our church was established, I was full time in the ministry and I enjoyed a good fellowship with a group of pastors from our state and that of Washington. I was scheduled to host a pastor’s meeting at our church. As that meeting grew near, I was contacted by a college in Southern California regarding the possibility of having their Executive Vice President and a group from the college at the meeting as representatives. As the college was associated with this group of pastors, I agreed. But then I did some research. I learned that the college had encouraged students to attend various conferences and events at nearby Grace Community Church, pastored by John MacArthur. At that news, I contacted the college and uninvited them to my church and the meeting. 

It is not that I am a MacArthur hater, I am not. But I do recognize that his ministry and that of Independent Baptists, is not the same. I viewed it as contrary to sound doctrine and to separation to support a movement that would encourage the blending of Independent Baptists with the practices, teachings, and doctrines of Grace Community Church and John MacArthur.

Apparently, I was not the only one who felt as I did. How the word got out, I do not know, but in very short order I began receiving phone calls and notes of congratulations from pastors, especially in Washington State, for my stand. I started getting invitations to preach in their churches and, just a few years later, I was the Executive Vice President of that very same college, since reclaimed by pastors who desired to walk in the old paths.

Let’s fast forward to 2020. The COVID-19 virus has changed our world in ways I am not sure we will ever recover from. The governors of Washington, Oregon, and California in particular have been extremists in their handling of the virus. Churches have been identified as potential “super-spreaders” of the China Virus. California has issued instructions that churches are not to assemble. For some time a number of them, perhaps most of the more well known of them, complied. Grace Community Church included. Of late, John MacArthur has reversed his compliance and in defiance of orders, has returned to the assembly of his congregation. A good number of Christians have applauded him for this stand. I for one pray he is successful.

Here comes the rub. I recently received a twitter message (tweet) with a photo of Paul Chappell and John MacArthur. The tweet, from Paul Chappell, reads, “Thankful to meet and pray with @johnmacarthur this morning. Pray for him as he stands for the biblical call to assemble and worship our God.” That tweet is followed by numerous statements congratulating Chappell for joining up with MacArthur. The only warnings I found were from men who would be considered troublemakers and doctrinally unsound themselves. Here are my problems with Chappell’s newfound fellowship with MacArthur.

The two have pastored in Southern California for more than forty years

Why is the COVID-19 crisis a reason to connect now? I understand that some suggest that this is a matter bigger than doctrine. That neither of the men has to compromise their own doctrines to join forces against this government overreach and that refusal to work together is tantamount to believers refusing to work together when Hitler took over Germany. 

The idea of ignoring our doctrines for a bigger battle is reasonable if there is no God. If the battle is religion versus government, then by all means all religions ought to cooperate to exert influence in the realms of politics. But God is. And God is bigger than the government. Therefore, to cooperate with God is of much greater importance than cooperating with bad doctrine. there is a reason the two men had never met. That reason remains despite the China virus.

It is one step into compromise

I realize it is only one step. It seems like a small step. It also seems like a reasonable step. There never has been a reason Paul Chappell and John MacArthur could not have met, shaken hands, and had a picture together. Human beings ought to be kind to one another. Each man has a right to worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience and, since they each have that right, there is no reason they cannot be kind to one another. This is different. This is a deliberate act of cooperation. This is one step into compromise and, with the first step, further steps become much easier.

The consequences of such a step are inestimable

I don’t know if Chappell will take further steps of compromise with MacArthur. I frankly doubt it. But he led by example and I am certain that less known pastors, many of whom have already taken those steps and congratulated Chappell for this, will see this as motivation to become even closer to MacArthur and his non-Baptist, non-fundamentalist, Protestant, Calvinistic movement. This is a subtle movement into the one-world church system. It is, perhaps a well-cloaked movement, but it heads the direction of one world religion nonetheless.

I will continue to pray for churches of all stripes all across the United States. Regardless of doctrine, history, or practice, they each have a right to worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience and government overreach against that right is a terribly dangerous thing. But I will remain separated. And I will urge anyone who will listen to do the same.

Marvin McKenzie

In the fields 

The American Experiment on Trial

I wish to tread some dangerous territory for me and dip my pen into the arena of political science for a moment as I give some of my thoughts concerning the 2020 race of Governor of Washington State. The primary being completed we now know this race to be between the incumbent, Governor Jay Inslee, and his opponent Loren Culp.

Mr. Culp rose to the surface over something like thirty challengers to Inslee’s office. His race in the primaries was interesting, to say the least. Culp, I think, first made headlines when as sheriff, he refused to enforce the state’s new gun laws. His campaign for governor has been largely along the same tack. He holds to conservative/Republican ideals, but he is more than that. He separated himself from the rest of the Republican candidates in refusing to play politics as usual. While Joshua Freed, for example, spent most of his campaign efforts winning the favor of the Republican party, Culp spent all of his time winning the people of Washington State. With that in mind, I see the race between Mr. Culp and Governor Inslee as a different kind of horse.

This is not essentially a race between a Democrat and a Republican. 

It is that of course, but that is not what it is in essence. Mr. Culp doesn’t appear to be a Republican team player. He may become that if he wins the office, but he hasn’t particularly played by the Republican playbook. In many ways, he reminds me of President Trump in that area.

This race is not essentially a race between liberal versus conservative ideologies. 

It is that of course. Governor Inslee’s worldview is that of a liberal. In his bid for the presidency, his one platform agenda was to save the planet. His ideology is liberal to the core. His supporters are liberal. If he succeeds in winning this election, he will progress his liberal ideologies. Culp, on the other hand, appears to have a very conservative worldview. We may expect that if he wins the election for governor of Washington State, he will put forward a conservative agenda. Perhaps more conservative than the current Republican party would put forward. 

This race is not even essentially between big government and small government.

It is that too, of course. Governor Inslee is all about government oversight – of just about everything. His is a socialist worldview that sees government as the answer to the needs of the individual. Governor Inslee is, by profession, a lawyer. His career has been that of using governmental heads to manipulate circumstances for the good of his clients. Mr. Culp appears to be the opposite. He has been a businessman, a construction worker, and an elected county sheriff. He sees government as needful but in a limited capacity.

This is essentially a race contesting the American experiment of self-government. 

Governor Inslee wishes, though I am sure he would not say so in these words, to remove the power from the people. He sees government as the protector and provider of the masses. He views us as needy, lacking direction, and requiring the care of a “big brother.” He sees government as that big brother. Mr. Culp has demonstrated his commitment to the people. His entire campaign to this point has been grassroots. Meeting with the people of Washington State from nearly one corner of the state the other. He has conducted rallies with hundreds of people and, in every case, allowed them the liberty to choose whether or not to wear a mask. In this respect, he has demonstrated his faith in the individual to make sound choices for themselves. 

In short, this race puts the American experiment on trial. Will we continue to be self-governed? Will we give the government to the elite few who aspire to be professional politicians? The 2020 race for governor of Washington State will point which direction America is headed.

Marvin McKenzie

In the fields

After Having COVID-19

My personal thoughts and opinions concerning this virus are,

First, we cannot stay isolated and sheltered forever.

This shelter at home and hide from the virus strategy is untenable in the long run. America’s vast wealth has sustained us for these several months but there has been a cost and it cannot continue.

Second, the longer we shelter the worse will be our recovery.

I understand that I am not a doctor, but I am convinced that the longer we isolate from others, the weaker our immune systems become. Sooner or later we will be forced out of our homes and from behind our masks and when the day comes, we will be more vulnerable than ever to colds, flu and illnesses we never dreamed of making us sick before. No amount of vitamin c and other immunity enhancers can take the place of our body’s own immunity defenses. They become compromised by hyper-cleanliness. When we come out of this shelter mode, we are likely to see a spike in illness and death from those common things we used to brush aside.

Third, A vaccine is not our enemy.

Thank God for vaccines that protect us from smallpox, polio, tuberculosis and etc. I am thankful for the medical expertise of those who have created these vaccines and pray for a quick and effective vaccine for COVID-19. I do not believe, however, that such should be mandatory. Those who choose to be vaccinated will be, effectively protected. They cannot be harmed by those who choose not to be vaccinated. The only one at risk is the one who has elected not to be vaccinated. A greater risk, in my opinion, is the issue of personal liberty.

Marvin McKenzie

In The Fields

My Covid Chronicles

My Covid Chronicles

July 3, 2020

We received word that Mrs.___________________ leading the ________________, tested positive for COVID 19. I offered to pay for motels for the team as they were in Washington and I was under the impression that they would be required to quarantine for 14 days. I learned later two of the girls had also tested positive and that the team decided to drive back. They canceled their summer tour.

July 5, 2020

I informed the families of our church that there had been positive COVID 19 and asked them to consider not going. They all chose to attend.

July 6, 2020

_____________________ ate dinner with Anita and me.

July 7, 2020

_____________________ mentioned a sore throat.

July 8, 2020

I was very light headed and weak legged after my workout. I didn’t think that much about it because it happens. It just lasted longer than normal. Also, I took a long nap in the afternoon.

July 9, 2020

I was so tired after my workout that I laid right down and slept several hours. I remember thinking that maybe I was having some sort of heart trouble. I was very weak and tired.

________________________________ had trouble preaching in the evening because of his throat.

July 10, 2020

I chose not to work out and felt fine throughout the day.

Speaker's sore throat seemed better.

July 11, 2020

Returned home. Felt fine.

July 12, 2020

I felt fine through the day but I did caution people in the church to practice social distancing more than usual

__________________ sent me a text informing me that his dad had COVID and that he got it from camp.

July 13, 2020

_______________________ called me this morning and confirmed the same. He said that he came home with a sore throat “and other COVID symptoms” and was concerned so he stayed home from church. He was able to get a test for COVID up in Everett and it is positive. He and his wife are going to go camping for two weeks to isolate themselves.

No word from them about contact tracing.

July 16, 2020

I received a message from Pastor ________________________ that he had tested positive for the COVID 19 virus. I was on my way to Anacortes to celebrate my son's birthday. I called him and we decided not to come at this time. When I got home I then made an announcement to our church that we would be returning to strictly online, FM, and tabernacle services until the 26th of July. This is an attempt to isolate due to COVID. The ladies' garage sale is supposed to be this weekend. So many of those who would have participated in it were involved either directly or indirectly that we had to cancel that too. My understanding is that Mrs __________________ went to be tested. I also heard that A____________________ was tested. Neither have gotten their results yet. So far from those who were at the camp: my wife, and I have had head or chest cold symptoms but no fever. S_____________, A_____________________ and R__________ had low grade fevers for less than 24 hours. Those who were in contact with those who went to camp and have had symptoms are, R_____________________ who drove R___________ home, Mrs O____________________ and Mr H____, 

July 19, 2020

I preached all day with no trouble. Felt fine with perhaps a slight cough.

July 20, 2020

We began our “isolation vacation” as Caleb called, it feeling fairly well. We went to Rapjohn and kayaked in the evening.

July 21, 2020

I had a cough but we went for a bicycle ride. 15 miles out and back. I could tell at the turn around point I was getting tired. By the time I got home, I did not feel well. Chose not to eat. Thought I had like a heat stroke. Used icepacks and a cool bath to cool down. 

July 22, 2020 

Slept 19 hours and could have slept a couple more.

July 23, 2020

I was feeling fairly well. I went on a shorter bicycle ride but I got chills at the turnaround. The ride back to the car was miserable. Anita drove us home while I slept. Did not eat tonight either.

July 24, 2020

Home with long naps. High temps and then swings to cold. Bad cough. I tried to see my doctor but he would not see me unless I had a COVID test. Cough is bad at night.

July 25, 2020

I went to Good Sam ER for the COVID test. They said my lungs sounded clear. Bad cough through the night.

Began taking, Quercetin (2000 mg/day), iodine (5mg/day)

July 26, 2020

Still isolated. Cough continues. Temperature swings continue. Nothing too high - 99.9, then down to 95.

Began taking zinc and vitamin a

July 27, 2020

The cough was much improved overnight. No temp swings today.

July 28, 2020

Slept well with no coughing episodes. Still have slight congestion. Coughed up a small amount of phlegm with color for the first time in the morning. No temperature swings

Test results for COVID returned positive. I was advised to self-quarantine for 7 days or 72 hours from my last high temperature, whichever is longer.

July 29, 2020

My chest became heavy with congestion about an hour before bedtime. I took a full dose of NyQuil at bedtime. No coughs through the night. I had a slight amount of congestion and cough when I woke up but it was slight.

Smell and taste have, for the most part, returned.

July 31, 2020

Congestion around bedtime continues to be a problem. I am taking a full dose of NyQuil before I go to sleep. I have not had to take Ibuprofin or Tylenol for several days. I nap still feels good but I am not exhausted all day. I have been noticeably lightheaded yesterday and today, perhaps more so today. I think that is the result of so much NyQuil in my system. 

August 1, 2020

I took NyQuil again last night. Although a cough had returned, my chest did not feel as heavy. I woke up, however, with some heaviness and have been coughing up quite a lot of phlegm this morning.

August 5. 2020

I was released from quarantine yesterday. I feel very well except for slight congestion in the center of my chest. It feels like about the size of a softball. It also makes me have to force my voice a little bit to speak. Some people would probably I spoke a little less anyway. :-)

August 6, 2020

I slept for the first time without NyQuil last night. It was no trouble at all. I think I felt less groggy this morning. Today the "softball-sized" area of congestion is gone but I have a general and persistent cough. I continue to feel like I have to force out enough air to speak.

August 7, 2020

By afternoon yesterday, my cough was fairly persistent. I considered taking a half dose of NyQuil at bedtime but resisted. I feel maybe 90-95% this morning. Very slight cough. My left ear is plugged.

August 8, 2020

It was July 8, a full month ago, that I first had a symptom for the COVID-19. Today I am going to declare myself fully recovered. I may still be slightly weakened, but symptoms are gone.

Praise the Lord.

Marvin McKenzie

In the fields