Городское миссионерское братство

Если, как кажется, никто больше не слышит призыв что-нибудь сделать в определенном городе и есть только несколько пасторов и/или руководителей из рядовых членов церкви, которые чувствуют, что Бог хочет, чтобы что-нибудь произошло, можно начать следующим образом. Можно создать простую организацию – городское миссионерское братство. Это неформальная организация, в которую вступают люди, потому что они заинтересованы в особой миссии, которой адекватно не занимается ни одна постоянная деномнационная структура. Это организация членов адвентистской церкви, которая поддерживает деноминацию и особенно местных пасторов – без корыстных побуждений – и готовы «пройти дополнительные километры» лишь бы удостовериться в том, что в их городе происходит что-то новое и хорошее. Фактически, это может быть группа пасторов, которые собираются, чтобы побеседовать, помолиться и найти способы продвижения дела Христа в своем городе.

Что же делает городское миссионерское братство? Во-первых и в основном, молится за миссию Христа в городах. Еженедельно всем членам может посылаться по электронной почте просьба помолиться. Во-вторых, внимательно слушать, чтобы рассмотреть, что Бог пытается сделать. Возможно, один раз в квартал, члены могут собраться на молитвенный завтрак послушать выступающих из этого района, которые расскажут о нуждах, и послушать адвентистов с творческими идеями, вовлеченных в новые служения. В-третьих, братство может заниматься исследовательской работой, собирать информацию. Кто-нибудь может создать веб-страничку, где можно поделиться с церквами и служениями ресурсами и информацию. Ключевым принципом этой концепции является доверие дарам Божьего народа. В-четвертых, братство может поддержать экспериментальные служения и инновационные проекты. Оно может предоставить членам возможность заручиться поддержкой для специальных проектов, которые нельзя поддержать через стандартные организационные каналы, но которые являются многообещающими.

Более того, городское миссионерское братство может спонсировать пограничных миссионеров в городе. Оно может работать с церквами и конференциями, чтобы призвать людей, которые были проверены и подготовлены работать миссионерами либо на полную ставку, либо в качестве «делателей палаток» в создании церкви, служении на территории секулярных университетских городков, внутригородских программ и других миссиях, которые находятся вне досягаемости поместных церквей и конференций или являются «слишком рискованными». Все зависит от того, как Бог руководит и как члены поддерживают проекты финансово.

Я уверен, что в каждом городе есть люди, которых Бог призывает быть частью великого миссионерского движения в метрополии. Вы чувствуете призвание быть частью такого братства? Просит ли вас Бог сделать больше для Его миссии прямо здесь на вашей родине? Чувствуете ли вы нужду выйти «из укрытия», чтобы сделать больше, чем в настоящее время делают наши церкви? Если да, то, может быть, вам нужно найти или помочь основать городское миссионерское братство в вашем городе!

Что значит для вас миссия Иисуса Христа? Я полагаю, что Он предназначил для Своего народа евангельскую миссию, которая сегодня является самой важной целью в мире. И все же, она часто неправильно понимается и подменяется институциональными целями. Что значат слова «миссионер» и миссионерское поле» в 21 веке? Когда я был мальчишкой и рос в субботней школе, следопытском клубе и церковной школе, «миссионер» носил пробковый шлем и шорты хакки. Это был белый, окруженный цветными людьми, мужчина. Сложился стереотип, что они были необразованными людьми и жили в примитивных условиях. «Миссионерское поле» было в деревнях за границей.

Реалии поменялись! Сегодня в больших городах Северо-восточного коридора или Лондоне, или Риме, или Мумбае, или Буэнос-Айресе гораздо больше людей, которых не коснулось Евангелие, чем традиционных миссионерских полей. Африка быстро перебирается в города. Большинство латиноамериканцев уже живут в городах. В маленьких островных странах земного шара на человека приходится больше всего адвентистов в мире. «Миссионерское поле» пришло домой. Сегодня рубеж адвентистской миссионерской деятельности находится в больших городах. И мы отступаем!

Если в наших поместных церквах все останется как обычно, то работа выполнена не будет! Мы должны пробовать новые идеи, перебираться на новые территории, хвататься за новые возможности, которые оредставляются, и находить новые служения. Я знаю, что Бог живет в больших городах Северо-восточных Соединенных Штатов и во всем мире. Я видел Его руку в работе последние десять лет, иногда это проявлялось действительно чудным образом. Я знаю, что Он ведет меня к общению с теми, кто серьезно задумывается о миссионерской деятельности в метрополии, потому что я почти каждый день получаю от них электронные сообщения. Эта задача миссионерской деятельности в городах является крупнейшей из всех задач, какие когда-либо приходилось выполнять Божьему народу. А что Бог просит сделать для этого вас?

 

 

 

 

1. James M. Penning and Corwin E. Smidt? Evangelism: The Next Generation (2002, Baker, Grand Rapids), page 39; quoting Claude Fisher, “Toward a Subcultural Theory of Urbanization,” Fvtrican Journal of Sociology 80 (May 1975), pages 1319-41; and Christian Smith, American Evangelicalism: Embattled and Thriving (1988, University of Chicago Press, Chicago), pages 110-111.

2. Можно достать очень много хороших ресурсных материалов, но я особенно рекомендую Contemporary Comments and Sharing Scripture которые можно найти на www.creativeministry.org. и Urban Disciples by Jenell W. Paris and Margot O. Eyring (2000, Judson Press).

 

 

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