Incarnational Ministry

This past year my heart has been very taken with the concept of Incarnational Ministry, something I became aware of while taking the Perspectives Course. The heart of Incarnational Ministry comes from Jesus statement recorded in John 20:21 “Peace be with you, as the Father has sent Me, I also send you”.  When I read this it seemed new to me; I begin think how was Jesus sent?  A few things are obvious 1) Jesus was sent in person, in the flesh and he is sending us in the same way. 2) Jesus left the comfort and security of Heaven and become dependent and vulnerable.  Jesus didn't come in a space suit or with a Motor home so he could be self contained and somehow keep from being soiled by people or the world.  Jesus left the throne where His position, power and status are well known and respected and came to earth to be born the illegitimate son of a poor Jewish girl.  Its really hard to think of any circumstance more humble than those Jesus embraced.  He who created all things (Col 1:16) had all power (Mt 28:18) became dependent and seemingly powerless according to how the world system measures power.

Perspectives teaches that Jesus was not only expressing that we would be sent with the same purpose or ways God was mandating and guiding but also that we should look to fulfill our ministry in the same way that Jesus accomplished His.  Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His [a]life a ransom for many.”  

Simplified this means we are to renounce our status, position and immunity. We are called to Identify with the challenges, lifestyles and attitudes of our audience.  Incarnational Ministry requires identification with out loss of identity.  

Those who have been through Perspectives will remember Dr. Betty Sue Brewster teaching that Incarnational Ministry has 5 basic roles: 

1) Role of a learner

2) Role of a Friend

3) Role of a Servant

4) Role of a Story Teller and sharer of information

5) Role of a Holy Person (Worshiper and Lover of God)

Some of these roles will come easy and others we have to work on.   Each of us has strengths and weakness that can be used by God.   I like to think of it in terms of a partnership.  No one likes to be thought of as helpless or having nothing to offer in a relationship so we are always looking to partner with others.  We are looking for mutual purpose and ways to build bi cultural bridges that can span the gaps between missionaries and counterparts in recipient cultures.

So we go with 2 arms:

• One arm is for social action and meeting human needs
• One arm is for making disciples and spread the Gospel

Which arm to we extend first?  Depends.  Sometimes we are using both at the same time.

I have had to meditate and pray about how I can use what God has given me to emulate the Lord and serve others to advance the Gospel.  Making Disciples is best done by:

• Showing the Word
• Sharing the Word
• Teaching the Word
• Serving the World  

There are no easy answers and no formulas for how to do this but as we go God will guide and by the power of the Holy Spirit turn the ordinary into something extraordinary. 

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