Meeting # 3

The group met in the home of Ric and Kathy Fogie for our third meeting. Those present were Jay and Rachel bowman, Esther Shirk, Dan Moyer and Myron and Ruth Hostetter
The evening discussion centered around Points 4-6 on the topic, "Sovereignty of God"

#4. The Place of your birth:
Dan ... Here in the USA we live in a society that values its comfort and leisure. We are spoiled and fearful to go where we do not have the "comforts of home."
The group spent some time discussing the words, 'comfort' and 'fearful' We decided that both are hindrances to mission work. Can we truly go to a mission field where we have little comfort? Would we be fearful to go somewhere where our lives would be in danger? Whit about our children on the mission field?
Ric... Some countries have a nationalized religion, for example, Muslim countries. Being born in one of these countries would force you to abandon the religion into which you were born and 'convert' to Christianity. This would be very offensive to the national religion. Russian Orthodox for example.
Dan ... Talked about Paul on his visit to Mars Hill where he explained the "Unknown God"

#5 & #6 Race and Social strata
We combined these two since in some aspects they relate to one another.
What does race have to do with your place of birth?
Where you are born often has to do with your race. The USA prides itself on being "the melting pot" of the world.
This is not typical of other countries.
Genocide between races in places like the Sudan would mean that if you were of a lesser or weaker tribe you would
be in jeopardy of loosing your life because you were in the 'wrong' tribe.
Rachel ... When witnessing we must stress the 'eternal rewards' of becoming a Christian.
A discussion followed on that point. How can we best 'sell' a trade so that we can earn the right to 'share' our
Christian beliefs?
Ric ... In some countries Christian missionaries must enter the country with a trade or business to share with the people.
If someone asks you about your religious beliefs you may share but you cannot proselytize.
We must meet physical or practical need of the people before we can proselytize.
Kathy ... What are our priorities? Here in the USA we are rich compared to the poorer nations of the world like
Haiti, the Sudan etc. There it is a matter of survival. Stealing is a way of life.
Myron ... before we condemn stealing in someone who is starving we need to provide work or food and then share
Jesus. How can we condemn a father or mother who steals a piece of bread to feed a starving child? Talked about
children living in the city dumps around the world and the terrible life they have.
Dan ... people who have a desperate physical need are more open to the gospel. Rich, intellectuals are often close minded.
Jesus Film discussio. Myron and Ruth want to show the film in Mexico.
* Question, which is more effective:
1. Enter a village where there has been no previous 'seed planting' to show the film.
This novelty will bring a general crowd of curious onlookers. You hand out tracts and do follow up work.
2. Have someone like Hector do some groundbraking and then show the Jesus Film.
When this happens, the local people might have already become biased against the person who has tried to
evangelize and stay away from the showing of the film. This would mean that the general population would
not come because it was only a 'religious' thing.
We had a lively discussion on the pro and con of the two approaches.
The meeting ended at 8:30 followed by 30 minutes of refreshment and social time.
Next Meeting for Thursday January 29 in the home of Esther Shirk.