Planning for the future...

In the last year I have spent quite a bit of time planning for and preparing for our future ministry in Japan. I hae taken multiple survey trips to different cities, made a nuisance of myself asking pastors and missionaries questions about ministry in Japan, and read many books about church planting and Japanese culture. In all that time, as I ask questions, read books and compare it all to God's word, I think I can summarize everything I have learned in one word - relationships.

There are many different types of relationships to think about, but the primary three are 1)our relationship to God, 2) our relationship to other believers, and 3) our relationship to the world. This three relationships can be restated in terms of the actions that are associated with them. 1) Bible study and prayer, 2) encouragement, fellowship, discipleship; and 3) evangelism.

Today, Susan and I were talking about our core values for life and ministry. As we think about the process of helping Japanese men and women grow in their spiritual lives, these are the values we will emphasize. We summed it up as love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. As a guiding principle you can fit just about everything else under that one statement. Study your Bible - because it you truly love God, you will desire to know Him intimately. Share Christ with friends - because if you love them and see them as God sees them, you will want them to have the same joy that you have in knowing Christ.

So..., how are your relationships today?

posted by Norman @ 2:49 PM