Still sad, but having slept on it . . . now motivated

May 8, 2012

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Yesterday I was pretty upset. I should have slept on it before posting ‘Don’t know if  I’m sad or angry‘. After writing any newsletter or important email I ‘sleep on it’. It’s one of my rules. I’m sure that anyone who writes would have this rule. My brain needs a break, and if it’s an… [Read more…]

Posted in: Spiritual growth

Don’t know if I’m sad or angry

May 7, 2012

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Hopelessness is rife among urban youth in the Pacific Islands, even though they have been raised in church

In fact, I’m both. The 16 year old son from a Pacific Island family I know has committed suicide. Of course, suicide is a problem in every society, but “For some Pacific Islands, suicide is a leading cause of death in youth, and rates have not only reached epidemic proportions but are among the highest in the… [Read more…]

Posted in: Discipleship, Missions

Yet another leadership article (yawn) but wait . . .

April 10, 2012

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Training local people to disciple others and lead small groups

Christian leadership has to be one of those topics where much gets written and little changes! I’m the leader of a cross-cultural Christian ministry that’s in recovery after a period of bad leadership. So I’m reading everything I can lay my hands on, hoping to gain clarity and be better able to articulate recent painful… [Read more…]

Is there such a thing as a Christian nation?

April 3, 2012

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Funeral procession for Tonga's 5th King Taufa'ahau Tupou - March 2012

Is it possible for a nation or people group to enjoy special blessing because of an early leader’s personal commitment to God? We see this with Israel under the Old Covenant, but is there room for this idea under the New Covenant? I work among tribal people in the South Pacific Islands who love to… [Read more…]

One reason I love the Islands: The music #2

March 15, 2012

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Sasari'i Thumbnail

I blogged recently about the importance of (and high quality of) the original music in the South Pacific Islands where I work. And I linked to a sample – a young Tongan lady who stood in her front yard and sang for me – with wonderful spontaneity and without accompaniment. Sadly, in many places around the… [Read more…]

Posted in: Culture, Missions, Music

What a Church Movement looks like

March 9, 2012

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WillysYouth1

Last week I was in the South Pacific Islands. Busy days and nights of meetings with our (Pacific Partners) radio and discipleship leaders, but oh so rewarding! One night I had the joy and privilege of teaching young people from various churches who meet weekly at the home of one of our local leaders. They… [Read more…]

One reason I love the Islands: The music #1

March 6, 2012

3

Tiulipe sings

I used to be a musician many years ago. Perhaps that’s one reason why I love visiting the South Pacific Islands as much as I do – the music is amazing. Music is very important in these tribal cultures. There was no written language before the early missionaries, so music was (still is) used to… [Read more…]

Posted in: Culture, Missions, Music

Moving beyond fundamentalism and evangelicalism in missions

February 21, 2012

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I have a deep sense of excitement and anticipation about our missionary work in the South Pacific Islands. We’re on the cusp of something new and very vibrant (Radio, and organic church planting). Almost daily I’m gaining new insights from the books and blogs I read, and from my times of personal prayer. Frank Viola’s blog… [Read more…]

Radio, and organic church planting

February 18, 2012

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radio

The video below was made in 2001, but it’s the best I’ve found to explain what is beginning to happen around our Pacific Partners radio ministry in the South Pacific Islands. (Note: beginning to happen. It is becoming well established in Tonga and starting in the Solomon Islands.) What is happening now in the Islands, sprang from our… [Read more…]

Prerequisites for Xcultural engagement – patience and a sense of humor

February 17, 2012

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Kelly Soper for The Chronicle Review

I’ve always managed to maintain my sense of humor  as I’ve worked cross-culturally. (Patience is different – I’ve had to learn that, usually with a good slice of humor at my own expense.) Here is a hilarious article from The Chronicle of Higher Education by Kerry Sope. He is a great story teller and I’m sure… [Read more…]

Posted in: Culture
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