Why I chose this book:
Approximately 4 years ago, Sycamore (TC 2006 Sr WT) was invited to play at an outreach event called "One Body". Essentially, it was an invitation from a Korean church to churches of different domination and cultures in Toronto to bond together. It was also at this outreach that I received this book (at least from what I remembered). My friend Jay makes fun of me because this is also a book that I have tried to finish several times.. and this time I can actually say that I've finished! :)
Thoughts:
As you can tell, this book is about World Missions. If you actually visit the book's site, it is Pastor Francis Chan who introduces the book. To be honest, I don't know a lot about the mission field outside the city of Toronto so Yohannan really challenged me to think outside the box. Yohannan brings challenging points as he compares the lifestyle of an average American to an average person in Asia. Here are some interesting points that stood out:
-A rich American on Fifth Avenue in NYC or a poor beggar on the streets are both rebels against God, according to the Bible... meaning that sometimes we are focusing too much on caring for the poor that we forget that our primary focus should be on the Gospel and it should be for everyone.. not only the poor.
-Are we relying too much on things such as softball teams and gyms that we're afraid that once they're gone we have no converts?
-the average North American Christian gives 50 cents a week to global missions... but isn't Missions the primary job of the Church?
-Yohannan also believes that everyone is called into missions differently.. some financially... some prayerfully..not everyone should go on a short mission... to really reach out to the community, you need to be part of the community. Perhaps we should use our money carefully by supporting those in missions instead of using that money so we can be involved in ST missions. In his opinion, this is a better way to use our money....
Favourite Quote:
"The latest emphasis of the movement starts by arguing that we should operate mission outreach that provides 'care for the whole man', but it ends up providing help for only the body and soul- ignoring the spirit" pg 106
Rating: 4/5
:)
