5. Equality of evangelism.
While the gospel never changes, evangelistic endeavors must be prioritized and contextualized. Is a church evangelistic because they urge unbelievers during the Sunday gatherings to come to Christ? In one sense, the answer is yes. But is that truly reflective of evangelism according to the apostolic imagination? Unless churches are willing to cross significant cultural gaps, in both their backyards and throughout the world, the unreached will remain unreached. Ralph Winter made this clear almost fifty years ago–and while we have come far, we still have far to go.
6. Domestic and international dichotomy.
The apostolic imagination knows no geographical boundaries. The world is our parish. Kingdom labors are more about crossing cultural gaps than oceans and mountains. A simple examination of the first fourteen chapters of Acts reveals this matter. I am still amazed, and deeply troubled, at churches and “home” and “North American” mission agencies that operate primarily from a pastoral approach, in the name of contextualization, but advocate an apostolic approach “overseas.” Too many domestic activities are geared toward shuffling sheep around to create new flavors of churches (a pastoral approach), rather than engage cultures and peoples from an apostolic approach. Apostolic labors are both home and abroad.
7. Good intentions and and technological advances.
Advances in healthcare and the safety, speed, and low cost of travel have enabled the Church to go into all the world in ways never imagined 100 years ago. In 2005, 1.6 million U. S. citizens were participating in international short-term trips. While such activities can be good and strategic when it comes to reaching the unreached, most are not. We can now go into all the world and do a great deal of good works, return home, and think we have been wise stewards with the Great Commission in our day. Good deeds are great, but not a substitute for the apostolic work of the Church.
8. Instant gratification.
The West desires quick results. The Church also has embraced this value. Related to good intentions and technological advances, we can now go into all the word today, do a bunch of good stuff tomorrow, and offer an encouraging report later that week when we return home. Instant gratification dwarfs apostolic labors that often require much time. If a church can participate in missions by doing many deeds that offer quick results, then the apostolic imagination will be smothered by a great deal of wonderful activities.
This article on the apostolic imagination originally appeared here, and is used by permiss
Portions of this post were adapted from Apostolic Imagination. If you are interested in learning more, get a copy today. If not, you will in ten years–but it will likely be out-of-print, and you will have to find a tattered used copy.
