GO! Meetings 2010-2011:

Dear Friends,

Together, we are on a journey of becoming excellent in cross-cultural witness. Whether we are just beginning to explore missions or have been serving cross-culturally for years, there is always more that we can learn about the many facets of missions.

GO! meetings are for members of the Missionary Preparation Program, career missionaries on home assignment and other College Church folks interested in learning more about missions. GO! meetings are typically held on the second Saturday of every month during the academic year. Meetings run from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. and include a light meal. Attendees are asked to bring a salad or dessert to share. Childcare is provided on-site for MPP members with young children.

GO! meetings focus on specific missions issues which we explore and discuss in depth.  This year the springboard for that discussion is taken from chapters in a book by a theologian-practitioner in Sri Lanka.  Ajith Fernando has maintained his roots in everyday ministry in Sri Lanka as the head of Youth for Christ while also ministering extensively among Christian leaders, practitioners and theologians in the West.  His book Jesus Driven Ministry is a challenging call to western Christians that will sharpen our own thinking and preparation as effective servants of Christ.  We will discuss 9 chapters out of his book.  Copies of Jesus Driven Ministry are available to every member of the Missionary Preparation Program at a deeply discounted rate ($10 book).

As we go through these chapters, I look forward to the growth that we will experience together. Here is what’s ahead this year:

September 11 – Identifying with People (chapter 1)

Ajith wrote Jesus Driven Ministry to strengthen Christians in ministry in the heart attitudes and lifestyle that will make "long term ministry both fruitful and joyful."  His first chapter connects that joyfulness with the cost of identification in incarnational ministry.  As he says, "the key to paying the price in ministry is the ability to identify and persevere with a group of people to whom one is committed even when it is frustrating to do so." (p.23)  How do you balance that joyfulness with the cost?  What does "the lifestyle of servanthood" (p.21) mean to you? Please read chapter 1 prior to our meeting.

October 2 – Empowered by the Holy Spirit (chapter 2)

"In the first church fullness of the Spirit was a requirement not only for people who preached and taught but also for those doing administrative tasks...When the Bible speaks of fullness of the Spirit, it is speaking of a state where the Spirit governs people's lives so that his work is evident in both their behavior and their ministry.  Giving the Spirit full control of our lives is essential to fruitful Christ-honoring ministry yet so often Christians have "unsettled spiritual business" (pp.32,33,35). What are some personal implications and blessings of giving the Spirit full control?  Please read chapter 2 prior to our meeting.

November 13 – Affirmed by God (chapter 3)

"Ministry is so challenging that the primary focus always needs to be on what God does for us; Otherwise, when problems come and we are faced with our own inadequacy, we could become discouraged or fearful because of tough situations, timid, cynical or bitter because of difficult people, or dictatorial or driven because of a threat to our sense of control over situations and people. In Jesus' ministry he received 3 affirmations from God re: his identity, security and significance." (p.47)  Why are these specific affirmations so important? How is God building them into your life so you can handle criticism and obstacles to your work? Please read chapter 3 prior to our meeting.

December 11 – Saturated in the Word (chapter 6)
Charles Spurgeon said 'It is blessed to eat into the very soul of the Bible...until your spirit is flavored with the words of the Lord...and the very essence of the Bible flows from you.'(p.92)  Yet every Christian worker has to struggle with the balance and the time for deep study in the Word of God and study of other practical resources for ministry. How are you navigating that balance?  How is the "solid rock of Scripture when we are drained from the battles of ministry restoring your energies and providing healing?" (p. 96) How are you contextualizing scriptures in your contexts? Please read chapter 6 prior to our meeting.

January 8 – Facing Wild Animals (chapter 7)
Ajith compares the wild animals Jesus faced in the wilderness to the "many hardships, challenges and pains that come in ministry" (p.111) - both circumstantially, through others and in our own emotional states. In the midst of those difficulties how have you seen God's comfort and ministering presence help you face your "wild animals" and overcome what can be potentially harmful?  Please read chapter 7 prior to our meeting.

February 12 – Bearing Good News (chapter 8)

"The words of Mark 1:14-15 tell us a lot about what our work is. We too, like Jesus, are proclaiming the gospel of God. We too proclaim 'the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel.' William Tyndale said, 'the word gospel signified good, merry glad and joyful tidings that makes a person's heart glad and makes him sing , dance and leap for joy." Our task is indeed a wonderfully significant one that should fill us with joy over our call" (p. 116).  How can we handle the dichotomy of preaching with authority and living as humble servants? How can we make this good news relevant in our contexts? Please read chapter 8 prior to our meeting.

March 12 – Growing as a Team (chapter 9)

It is clear that team ministry was the standard model of ministry in the New Testament.  Team ministry helps compensate for our individual weaknesses and provides needed support, guidance and accountability. Yet problems in team relationships are one of the chief reasons people leave the missions field or a particular ministry or church. Ajith's challenges from personal experience will give us many ways to celebrate the blessings of team ministry and know how to navigate the challenge brought on by ours and others' weaknesses. Please read chapter 9 prior to our meeting.

April 9 – Ministering to the Sick and Demon-possessed (chapter 12)

In the two-thirds world, the reality of the spirit-world is an accepted, omnipresent factor in daily living, as it was in Bible times. Thus there is a need for understanding how to demonstrate God's power over these forces so we meet people in their need as well bring God's objective truth through the gospel. How do you deal with the power of the spirit world? How do the pressures of need-based ministry affect your life and your team? Please read chapter 12 prior to our meeting.

May 14 – Prayer (chapter 14)

"All Christian ministry is ministry in the Spirit and for that we must linger with the Spirit.  We simply cannot have a ministry that has spiritual depth and therefore lasting effects unless our lives are steeped in prayer. Maintaining such a lifestyle is a battle that has to be waged every day." (p.228-229) How can you strengthen a lifestyle of prayer that will nurture your attitude of joy and sustain you through the pains of ministry? How is Epaphras' model (Col.4:12) relevant for you? Please read chapter 14 prior to our meeting.  

If you plan to attend a GO! meeting, please RSVP to the Missions administrative assistant at missions@college-church.org or 630/668-0878 x119. If you are a member of the Missions Preparation Program and need childcare during the meeting, please also indicate how many children you will be bringing and their ages.

The Bible tells us to encourage and teach one another. I anticipate these GO! meetings will be great times of encouragement and training for all of us! I look forward to seeing you there!

Working together,

Bruce Wilson 

Missions Pastor