So Much Respect

 

This morning I had the chance to revel in preparation for a sermon where I get to talk about someone I admire very much.

Dr. Daniel McGilvary, pioneer missionary to Northern Thailand.

Without laying out the entire of my message (on November 5 at Highview, if you are so inclined), I'll just offer a rather lengthy quote in the hopes of demonstrating the clarity and intelligence with which McGilvary attended to the people he believed he had been sent to love.

I do so in hopes of balancing out the sadly understandable negative image conjured up by the word 'missionary', especially at the turn of the century when the Christian message was first brought to northern Thailand (and other places of the world). Sadly understandable, but not, I contend, deserved across the board.

Humour me for a minute and just listen to his respect for process, culture, and the journey of the human spirit.

"I presume that most Christian people in America have a very crude idea of the method of preaching the Gospel often, or perhaps, generally, used by missionaries, particularly in new fields. If they think that the bell is rung, that the people assemble in orderly fashion, and take their seats, that a hymn is sung, prayer offered, the Scripture read, a sermon delivered, and the congregation dismissed with the doxology and benediction, -- they are very much mistaken.

"All that comes in time...Long after the time we are now speaking of, one could talk of religion to the people by the hour, or even by the day; one might sing hymns, might solemnly utter prayer, in response to inquiry as to how we worshipped -- and they would listen respectfully and with interest.

But if public worship had been announced, and these same people had been invited to remain, every soul would have fled away for fear of being caught in some trap and made Christians without their consent, or for fear of being make to suffer the consequences of being reputed Christians before they were ready to take that step....I have seen people who were standing about the church door and looking in, driven quite away by the mere invitation to come in and be seated."

From "Half a Century Among the Siamese and Lao: An Autobiography" Daniel McGilvary

I am impressed by and want to emulate this kind of sensitivity for the whole process of spiritual formation across humanity. If I understand myself to be a 'missionary pastor', I hope this is the kind of reputation I can continue.

"But in your hearts set apart Christ s Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who ask you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."

1 Peter 3:15

In a world where we seem to be less and and less able to disagree agreeably, I hope we can find our way to embrace gentleness and respect at every opportunity.

When It All Starts To Make Sense

Photo Credit:  Evangeline Wilton

It's more than just the lack of humidity these first few days.  Although it does provide a metaphor.

I've been here in November before, but don't remember it being quite this pleasant.  Temperatures are very agreeable for sleeping at night, and, during the day, a high of 30ish is a a fine contrast to the cold and rainy and windy weather we left behind.  But even more, there's really no humidity to speak of.   And I'm sure that wasn't the case when I was here in the fall of 2015.  All day I feel it.  Just that easy comfort of a perfect day of warmth and sunshine, relaxed and deeply convinced that this is where I need to be right now.

If humidity makes heat feel hotter, then we could say stress makes work - even well loved work - 'workier'.  Not as organic, not as focused, not as enjoyable.

Despite the strong matters that made it difficult to leave (and which very much still occupy my heart and my prayers) I find again that happy reality I experienced when I was here in August.  I am now doing this one thing.  And now, doing this part of what I believe God is asking me to do is so much more organic, focused and enjoyable in this new reality.

I'm hating to admit it for fear it may sound like I did not love being a pastor.  I did.  With my whole heart.  Enough to make these past five months drill down into the work of grieving and of letting go.  I don't think that is done either.

But being here and feeling the difference - the difference in how much I can be fully present in each moment, how easier it is to adapt and go with the flow, how clear-minded I am about what I'm teaching and for my language study, and how often I feel myself ride a little wave of "I can't believe I get to do this!!!!" - I think something very wonderful is starting to make sense.

This stepping aside from pastor and moving into missionary was a good idea.

When you make a decision as impactful as stepping away from a ministry you helped birth, and have been actively and ridiculously involved in throughout it's 20 year history, when you do that, it really shakes your pysche.  But here I feel oriented again, in my element again, like things fit again.

And with the clearer air of just one focus, yes, I can breathe easier. 

Of course, having said all that, I'm here for the month and then, oh glorious then, on December 2, I get to be back at Highview again.  So I think, this visit, there's also a LOT to look forward to going home.

Photo Credit: Evangeline Wilton

The month is still before me. 

We've only begun the first of three units prepared to help us be Strong, Smart and Savoury.  We're memorizing Zechariah 4:6.  We've got 100 words of vocab to learn.  And I get to distill it all into a research paper about this very thing that has captured my heart - cross cultural ministry relationships.

Here comes another little wave because, really...

I can't believe I get to do this!