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May 19, 2013

Category: Mission

August 17, 2011

My thoughts on Short-term missions

Blog posts on short-term missions seem to be quite popular these days. I have been reading quite a bit (no links as my battery is about to run out and I don’t have time to hunt them down now), but have pretty much kept from the conversations and debates. However, a friend on facebook asked me today what I think of short-term missions, and here is what I wrote. It’s admittedly short (it was a fb comment, after all) and isn’t comprehensive, but I would love your thoughts or responses.

This warrants a much longer response than I can write here, but it is such a good question that I want to say a bit…

I think short-term missions can be really good. They are good for the people who are served. Whether that is by physical help (building a well, a school, a house) or spiritual encouragement (discipleship, VBS, etc.), God’s love is being shared. Short-term missions are also good for the people who go. For many, they are exposed to more of the world. Ideally, they see God at work in other places and have the opportunity to join in what God is doing. It works against the general ignorance we have of people different from us. I know so many people whose lives were changed by being involved in trips like this – myself included: eyes opened, new opportunities explored, gifts and passions discovered, a greater sense of God’s work around the world. Who knows what God may grow in us because we have made ourselves available. And here I am now, a long-term overseas missionary!

Can short-term trips be exploitative? Yes.
Can they be largely unproductive (or even counterproductive)? Yes.
Can they be designed in a way that the “haves” need to go somewhere else to share with the “have nots” – reinforcing our own sense of superiority? Yes.
Can they give us the false sense of security and warmth because we’ve done a good deed? Yes.
BUT, none of these have to be true. Good leadership and working with people on the ground can help facilitate wonderful experiences.

When we go somewhere to JOIN in what God is doing there, I think everyone wins. We all learn. We all grow. We are all blessed and bless one another. God’s Spirit in me joins with God’s Spirit in you and amazing things can take place. We become neighbours like Jesus talks about – loving one another rather than simply offering charity.  So, if we are to go, I recommend to work with those who are there already. You are correct that they know the people, the place, the needs – far more than any well-intentioned people who hop off the plane.

As far as sharing resources… investing in Kingdom work is a good investment. I think it’s a both/and – investing in someone who is working overseas is hugely helpful to them and those they are working with. Investing in someone who is going on a trip is hugely helpful to them and those they are working with. I can’t quantify which is MORE helpful per se, although it is my opinion (and experience) that someone from a western country going on a short-term trip can often raise money more easily than a long-term person working overseas. I am also slightly biased as a long-term, under-funded overseas missionary who thinks they are a good investment :)

In the end, we want people to experience the Good News of God’s salvation. I suppose one has to consider and pray about which to help, how much, etc. For most of us, we support some of each, just as we give to our church as well as special needs. I also have to trust that if we are asking God and letting God touch our heart with what is on His, we respond as He leads.

 

July 11, 2011

Five

On June 20, we celebrated one year in Cape Town.

When we arrived, we had the sense that this was where God wanted us.
We had pictures God had put on our heart, invitations, and questions.
We knew that being here would mean changes – city, kids’ schools, employer.
We also knew that God would say yes to all of our hearts and those of others if this was what He wanted.

So, fresh off 10-months of sabbatical and back in South Africa, we dove in….
staying at a few different houses until we found the one God had for us in Woodstock,
getting our kids enrolled in school, uniforms bought, up and ready each morning as the sun was coming up,
re-establishing insurances, phone lines, services,
seeing friends and beginning to make new ones,
getting settled,
exploring possibilities of ministry and service with people and churches and organizations,
establishing “normal life” again in a whole new place,
working at building on the things God had been growing in us,
chasing dreams,
talking with people who know God, know us, know this place,
learning,
praying,
talking,
praying.

On our one-year anniversary in Cape Town,
our family told stories, looked at pictures, and marveled at what God has done.
We have made so many friends and so many memories in this year.
We have much to celebrate and thank God for.
And we shared what has been hard, and where God has been in all that too.
Then asked God for pictures of what’s on His heart for us in the time ahead-
Growth, Stability, Unburdened, Free.

So, as far as announcements go, we are saying that
After a year, we are happy to call Cape Town home!
This is where we will be for at least the next 5 years.

It’s time to put down some roots…
We are looking for a house to rent for the long-term
Arthur Paul starts high school in January
We are solidifying commitments to ministry and church (more details forthcoming)
We will renew our volunteer’s visa next month then look at residence options
We need to strengthen our donor base
And we need your prayers for all of the above.

You can read back through previous updates for specifics of this past year.
I know this doesn’t say a lot about ministry and work,
but is more about our family and life, in slightly poetic form.
(which I hope you find is ok).

We are thankful for so many that love and support us
in South Africa and around the world.
We are honored that you are with us,
and please stay with us,
because we are only getting started :)

Amen.

April 19, 2011

Seasons – an update from the Stewarts

The seasons are turning. As things are warming up for those of you in the northern hemisphere, we are moving toward winter here in Cape Town. For our family, this isn’t a time for hibernation at all. In fact, there are a number of new things to tell you about…

Iain’s baptism

Iain was baptised on March 12! He invited quite a few friends to join us for this special time and it was a true celebration of God in his life. Iain did a great job sharing about his commitment to following Jesus and says he is glad that each person in our family helped with scriptures and blessings for the day. Thank you to everyone who has prayed (and continues to pray) for our children with us – God is doing such amazing things in their lives.

Grandpa Lee’s visit

Melissa’s dad – Lee Liddle – visited us for the first two weeks of April. We had a lot of fun introducing him to our new city, neighbourhood, the kids’ school, and friends. It was hard to see him go, but we are thankful for the time together. I think the kids are already talking about the next time Grandpa comes to visit.

Melissa’s latest

When I was younger I always pictured myself having both a career and a family, but was naïve about HOW I would do it all!  During our last year and a half with NieuCommunities in Pretoria I realised that I had been operating beyond my relational capacity for quite some time.  So, I have been seeking a new vision about how to live as a Jesus follower who is a wife, mother, friend and neighbour.  Since returning to South Africa I have been hesitant to take on significant ministry commitments outside of our home and the kids’ school community.  Thankfully, God understands me fully.  He has surrounded me with caring, welcoming, like-hearted people who are beginning to become wonderful friends and mentors.

I have joined a weekly prayer group currently consisting of women who previously worked for The Warehouse, but have stepped back from those roles in order to be present with their children.  A couple of moms from the kids’ school and I have begun walking for exercise one morning a week in a nearby park.  I even enjoy most of my regular household duties while the kids are away at school, primarily because I get the house all to myself and no one is saying, “mommy?”  I am also able to get to the gym for a class or two each week (I can flex my triceps now;)

Tomorrow I begin volunteering two hours a week at my kids’ school with a non-profit organization called help2read (http://www.help2read.org).  Currently there are about 500 volunteers in over 125 schools in the greater Cape Town area.  I have been assigned two students who I will see one-on-one for 30 minutes twice a week.  As an early childhood educator I resonate with help2read’s child-centered philosophy and am thrilled to have an opportunity to help children learn to love books and become confident readers.

Leading worship & blessing leaders

The last few months have been very fulfilling for me (Arthur) as I’ve had the opportunity to lead or coordinate the morning prayer and worship times at the Warehouse (http://warehouse.org.za/). Each morning, we gather for an hour with God together – absolutely necessary for those working in the difficult realities of poverty and injustice. We believe that our direct encounter with God is THE thing that connects our hearts with God, shaping us more into the image of Jesus and giving us God’s heart for those all around us. It’s just one of the ways I get to pour into the lives of these amazing leaders. In the upcoming months, I will turn more of my attention to working with local church leaders. There is such a huge need here to care for, encourage, and listen to pastors. These men and women are given the responsibility of guiding God’s people, yet who looks after their hearts? Because the Warehouse’s mission is to serve the church in its response to poverty and injustice, one way we can help them is by ministering to their leaders. Please pray for me as I move into this important (and exciting) role.

A great way to keep up to date on what God is doing through the Warehouse is to sign up for the newsletter mailing list: http://warehouse.org.za/newslettersignupform

Mairin is turning 7 on April 28th!

“We are going to have my birthday party at a park. My friends and I are going to play and have a cake with butterflies. I am very excited to be seven :)


Arthur Paul high school update

“I’ve sent in all of the applications and am waiting for a reply from either. It’s pretty boring just waiting for news :/” – AP.  Just a note to say thank you to everyone for praying with us through the high school visiting and application process. We have applied for two schools and will hear back in the next month or two on acceptance.

We are missionaries

God has asked us to live in Cape Town, South Africa, and we have said yes to this and all that He asks of us. We are sent and supported by churches and individuals who believe in us and are investing in the Kingdom work we do while partnering with and working for local ministries. We need prayer, encouragement, and financial help to do this. I point this out because while many are encouraged (inspired?) by what God is doing with our lives, they don’t know that we raise our own support to do this. Maybe God wants you to be part of this with us. If you are feeling a nudge, email me.

Two links for you to check out

May this season bring good things in your life!

Arthur for the Stewart5

December 29, 2010

What I am doing at The Warehouse

by arthurstewart — Categories: Arthur, cape town, God, Mission, South Africa, Updates1 Comment

A friend was recently asking what I am doing with The Warehouse and I thought my response might be good to share with all of you as well. Always nice to blab on long enough to be able to use as an “update.”

I think a tiny bit of history on The Warehouse might be good to begin. The Warehouse was started several years ago by local Christians who felt that their churches could do a better job addressing issues of injustice and poverty together than alone. Obviously South Africa has overwhelming problems with things like HIV/AIDS, race issues, unemployment, lack of education, etc. As Christians, we know that God cares about these and all the issues that keep people from living in the fullness of Christ. These aren’t just “social problems” – they have spiritual components and there is opportunity for a uniquely Christian response. It is important to note that the Warehouse is not just one among many NGO’s feeding the hungry and caring for orphans and important things like that. The mission of The Warehouse is to come alongside the local church as it lives out its calling, particularly related to these types of needs. This takes place in lots of ways – training church teams to care for their neighborhoods, equipping (and in a few cases sending) leaders, sponsoring events to bring Christian perspective on issues, fostering relationships across economic and racial lines, helping churches partner with one another to meet needs. Things have evolved over time as far as how it all gets expressed (and what area local churches need help with), but at present there are about 30 staff working in various neighborhoods and with about one hundred local churches.

My connection with the Warehouse came though a few different people I have come to know in our years here in SA. I really liked what I knew of their staff and their hearts and approach to Kingdom ministry but had never been able to spend time with the actual ministry itself. Before we came back to SA, it was one of the local organizations I thought would be good to connect with in Cape Town. When we arrived, I contacted friends there and began volunteering a couple days each week to get a better feel for how they work. After a while, I began mentoring a few of the staff and through this process God began to speak to both me and them about a long-term role for me.

I am now moving into the role of heading up the spiritual formation for the organization. Basically, that means I will be helping with caring for and training the staff – a combination of full and part-time people who are all working alongside local Churches in different ways. This includes areas of corporate and individual discipleship, mentoring, ministry training, retreats, Bible teaching, and prayer. I will also be planning/leading the daily prayer and worship times for the staff and volunteers. I am also involved in expanding the ways we serve local churches and pastors and am part of the leadership team. “Last,” I am helping plan a one-year internship for a few young local leaders. In many ways, I am doing a lot of the types of things I did with NieuCommunities, but primarily with local people and leaders through this wonderful community. I am able to use my gifts and many of the pictures God put on my heart before coming are found here. At present, I am considered 4/5 time at the Warehouse. I won’t go into the other things I am involved with here locally (lecturing, church planting, mentoring leaders) because this is already too long and this is specifically about the Warehouse (although it would be good to write about each in future updates). But I will say that the combination of ministry opportunities seem to fit well together and have enough cross-over that I am not being overwhelmed.

The Warehouse is a great place for me to work with amazing leaders who are doing significant things to shape the Church in South Africa. I am glad to be among humble and loving people that are committed to strengthening the Bride of Christ like I am. I believe they are one of the organizations God is using to raise up and strengthen His church in this country and continent. I hope this gives a better picture of what the Warehouse is about, how I am involved, and how it fits with our overall ministry calling.

http://warehouse.org.za/

October 6, 2010

Partnerships

As we move toward making commitments to specific ministry opportunities here in Cape Town and seeing how that fits under a broader organization, I have been thinking a lot about partnerships.  I have to tell you, I have a love/hate relationship with partnering in its many forms.  But I am convinced that it is actually critical to my next ministry steps to do this in very specific partnerships.

Being in partnership reminds me that I don’t know everything and can’t do everything myself.  Sometimes I forget that.  I need other people who are strong where I am not.  I need other people to teach me.  I need other people to say, “let’s go” or “slow down” as appropriate.  I also believe in partnering because we are in a new city in a country that is not our own.  God is at work here in LOTS of amazing people.  Partnership says, “we aren’t the only ones trying to do something good.”  Honestly, I don’t see partnership enough.  So, part of being in partnership is living out what I say I believe and hoping that it serves as a model to others that we need less one-man-shows (especially in the Church/ministry business I am in)!  And finally, Jesus seemed to send people out in groups and pairs quite often.  Must be something to that…

I have been pretty fortunate over the years to learn a lot about myself – personality assessments, gifts tests, team styles, work styles, etc.  So, I know what I bring to a team or work relationship.  I say “let’s go.”  I see the big picture and how things all connect together.  I like to see other people do what is on their heart and can often help them move into that.  I can analyze.  I gather people for a cause.  I am a thinker.  I train and inspire.  I ALSO know that I desperately need others who can keep my ego in check.  I need people who can share other perspectives.  I need people who see how everyone is feeling.  I need people who keep it light and fun.  I need people who move quickly to action.  I need people who remind me to serve more.  I need people to remind me that’s not all about me.

Where do I see partnership opportunities developing right now?

  • helping start a new faith community with some friends here
  • helping with people already living and working in our new neighborhood (Woodstock)
  • meeting up and strategizing with others also praying/working toward a church planting movement
  • working with people who are also serious about discipleship and exploring different ways to do that
  • helping a few local ministries do what they do better
  • coaching and encouraging local leaders to follow their hearts and respond to God’s call

I can and will do none of these alone.

I do not consider this a sign of weakness or lack of vision.  Rather, I am intentionally saying, “I am here to help.  How can we do this together.”  By my reckoning, that’s the strongest kind of leadership there is.  This hasn’t always been the way I’ve operated.  But it’s how I want to be, how I believe Jesus wants me to be, and I give you permission to hold me to it.

May 12, 2010

Now what?

As we approach the end of our 10-month sabbatical, you may be wondering, “What’s next for the Stewart family?” Or you may be asking, “What, they’ve been in America for 10 months??” Well friends, let me say a bit about each of those (stay with me, this gets progressively more interesting as it goes). First, our sabbatical has been amazing – restful, memorable, shaping, fun.  We have so much to write about our time that I will start a little “series” tomorrow on sabbatical highlights (in no particular order).  Much of what we have experienced and learned is shaping our sense of what’s next.  And I know that many of you really want those details.  So…

The next 3 weeks

  • We are having a goodbye party this Saturday (15th) in Fresno!  It’s on open house, come by whenever, stay as long as you’d like deal 12:00-5:00.  Here’s the event link on fb or contact me if you want details.
  • We are speaking at Friends Community Church (Fresno) this Sunday morning, then having a birthday party for the boys in the afternoon (including Arthur Paul’s baptism)
  • Next week will be our last week in Fresno
  • We are heading down to SoCal May 22-30. We will be at Foothills Community Church (Pasadena) on May 23. We have some people to visit and a few fun things to do during the week, but if you would like to see us, let me know and we might be able to make it happen
  • On June 1, we are getting on an airplane and flying back to South Africa

June and July

We will spend two months (June and July) discerning God’s call for our family to be in South Africa. This is what we have felt for some time, and now we need to listen together on the ground. Is Cape Town the right place for us now?  We also want to reconnect with lots of friends and colleagues. By the end of July, we will decide if we are staying in South Africa or if there is a better place for us. If we stay, we will be leaving our current missions agency to partner with local people and ministries.  If we are leaving, we will say goodbye to South Africa and join an existing Church Resource Ministries team outside SA.

That’s the pragmatics.  But what is this Cape Town thing all about?  Very simply, we want to see people – ourselves included -  live the lives we were created to live. We believe the God who created and loves us makes this possible as we follow Jesus and allow his Spirit to continually awaken our deepest hearts and freeing us to become the amazing, beautiful, different, yet TRUE US. We also believe that we need each other to help us be different and together make a difference in our neighborhoods and world. This can take place LOTS of ways, so here’s where praying and exploring and asking God: who God has made us to be + our experiences, skills, and desires + the realities and needs of our family + the people and place we think God is calling us to be with = WHAT?

We think it might look something like this for us:

Living in a diverse neighborhood, loving neighbors, bringing people together. We are feeling the Woodstock neighborhood in Cape Town could be the one because of friendships we have there, its urban/cosmopolitan needs and opportunities, and the way we can picture our family living and flourishing

Helping people (particularly those who are often overlooked or left out) connect with, experience, and grow in God – especially in new, different, and “outside the box” ways that help change lives… one-on-one, ongoing groups, events, etc.

Working with local non-profits, ministries, and churches through teaching, training, and lending a hand – we want to help others who are also making a difference

Encouraging and equipping local leaders to have a reaching and lasting impact on their communities, especially through new and different types of faith communities

Participating in a regular friendship with other local and global practitioners – finding ways to collaborate for greater impact and strengthen one another in our journeys of following and serving Jesus

Oh, I could write so much more here, but this will have to do for now.  This was, after all, supposed to be an update – not a presentation! This is what we are going to explore. We will be in the place. We will be with the people. We will see what what God does and says. We are trusting that the specifics and next steps will become clear in the process.

Here’s where you come in!

  1. Pray for us – now as we wrap everything up here (craziness, I tell you) & and as we listen with God there.  We will be updating/reminding you throughout :)
  2. Do it with us – stay in regular conversation, find ways to help, support our family in this ministry with some monthly money, love us.  I feel a little weird asking for these, but know we need them!

More to come, but figured this would give you a little to chew on for now.
with love,
Arthur for the Stewarts

September 1, 2009

What the sabbatical?

In the rush to get our sabbatical started, pack up our entire house, and move from South Africa to California for the year, I haven’t sat down to write in detail about this sabbatical thingy.  But, with a little room to breathe, I wanted to start giving our friends more information on what we are up to.  I am sure this will turn into a multiple-post series, especially as we process and can begin to share what God is doing in us through the process.

In wrapping up our time with NieuCommunities in Pretoria and before starting for something new in Cape Town, we have a unique and precious window of time to let God prepare us in significant ways.  For today, some basics on the PURPOSES of our sabbatical…

1. The first purpose of our sabbatical is rest from several years of cross-cultural living and ministry.  We need to decompress, have time as a couple, and opportunity to do things as a family that we haven’t made as much time for in the last several years as we would have liked to.  We believe this will put us in a better place personally, spiritually, and relationally.

2. A second purpose of our sabbatical is restoration.  This is part of the reason we needed to leave our normal environment so we have time, space, and freedom from our normal obligations that can detract from making growth a top priority.  We are in the middle of a great program at Link Care in Fresno specifically designed for missionaries and their unique needs.  We will continue counseling throughout our time in Fresno as part of the process of continuing to grow into the people God wants us to be.  A big part of what we anticipate is deeper intimacy with God, one another, and all those God brings into our life.

3. A third reason for our sabbatical is reflection on the past several years of life and ministry.  What has taken place in our personal lives, what have we learned about life in community, how has God shaped and used us in South Africa, and what does all this mean for the future?  Expect lots of writing…

4. The final purpose for our sabbatical is preparation for what God has in store for us in this next season of life and ministry.  We have some pretty good ideas about what that will look like, but want God to confirm and clarify.  We expect God to further reveal hopes, details, and specifics.  We also anticipate this leading us to further training and learning to get us ready.  And, we want to use this time to develop the patterns and habits we will need to continue successfully in the next season.  Of course, you will hear more and more as we do, and as we gear up for all that is to come when our sabbatical ends on May 31.

For now, we are settling into life, school for the kids, and soon a new house (renting from friends) in Fresno!  More on all that, and some pics, soon :)

In the meantime, would appreciate your comments and prayers.

March 12, 2009

Church on the edge

Was part of a great book discussion today on David Bosh’s crazy-good, often referred to, yet under appreciated Transforming Mission.  Bosch’s book is one of those that for some reason I have never got around to reading – until now.  So glad I am.  Beyond the reading, the discussions look like they will be both fun and challenging.  It’s nice to talk with a bunch of people who have hearts that resonate, and “get” one another.  So, we can dive deeper than just discussing theological/philosophical concepts to why and how it matters for our lives.  I think that just maybe we will find some ways to put parts into practice together as well.   Tom, Cobus, and Chris have written about this conversation/their thoughts.  I am sure that   Sure Joe will as well (especially since I just called him out).

So much that I would like to comment on, but I’ll save for other posts.  For now, maybe just a quote from the end of the chapter we were discussing.  I didn’t get a chance to say anything in our group, so here’s my chance…

In discussing the ways in which the early church participated in living signs of the Kingdom, Bosch maintains that they did so in a manner consistent with Jesus.  However, they failed in at least 3 ways.  First, the early church too quickly established what separated themselves from others rather than their calling and responsibility toward these others.  Second, the movement turned into an institution.  Third, the growing church marginalized the Jews (those from whom they were birthed).  Those of you who have studied organizations know that these are pretty common in the life cycle of any movement.  We always wonder how to influence the process so that institutionalization/fossilization doesn’t take place in some inevitable fashion.  I would dare say that this has happened with the emerging church in the USA (but Tony, I think you have wisely and subversively multiplied influence by deconstruction, perhaps preempting the process? – yet another blog post I should write).

Then Bosch throws in this little nugget that has left me thinking a lot: “Very few people can be both at the periphery and at the center at the same time.  And even if they do manage that, they usually do so only for a very short while” (52).  Crap!  We’re trying so hard to be a church for all people.  A place where homeless and affluent rub shoulders, where radical discipleship is the norm, not the exception.  Are you saying we can’t live on the edge and in the middle of society?

Bosch is right, I think.  All my years (oh so many years, at that) seem to point that way.  You choose to live on the edge or at the center.  Lots of young, excited, or naive people get started on the fringes.  What usually happens over time?  They get sucked toward the middle.  They become jaded, disenchanted, tired of fighting the system, or just plain selfish.  The middle has a strong pull, doesn’t it?  But I repeat: YOU CAN CHOOSE TO LIVE ON THE EDGE OR AT THE CENTER.

The edge is scary, risky, exciting, unknown, and the place of miracles because God is needed.  It”s real reality, the “thin place” where heaven and earth come close together.  It’s the place of angels and demons.  It’s where we see God’s Kingdom coming.  It’s where I want to be.  If I must choose between the periphery and center, I choose the edge.

I choose the edge.

May 8, 2008

Zimbabwe field report

by arthurstewart — Categories: Culture, Mission, Zimbabwe — Tags: , , , , 3 Comments

My friend Andrew just came back from Zim. Here’s a bit of what he experienced.

Note: there are some hard to look at pics. That’s torture.  That’s Zimbabwe.

Pray for Zimbabwe. Pray for us as we feel God is calling us to be involved in different ways.

zimbabwe

May 23, 2007

Who loves ya, baby?

by arthurstewart — Categories: Amahoro, Arthur, God, Mission, South Africa2 Comments

At the Amahoro conference, my friend Trevor Ntlhola was talking about racism and reconciliation ( podcasts are becoming available as Graeme has time to post them). At one point, Trevor had this indictment against the colonial/western missionaries who brought Christianity to the continent…

“The white missionaries taught us that God loves us. They didn’t tell us that THEY loved us.”

Does the content of our good news match the “delivery”?  If not, the message is impotent, isn’t it?

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