Re: #2

The model of a community replicating itself rather than growing then splitting seems preferable to me. Of course, this will involve the "sending out" of community members, but not necessarily disconnection from the sending community. Not saying this is the "correct" way of doing it, but it makes more sense to my mind anyway.

Peace to you brothers,
From the Middle East

Here is the entire paragraph:

3. Evangelism and social action are inseparable. People often talk about evangelism being the priority, but this suggests a list of actions that you work through from the top down; if you do not have time for the bottom items (like social involvement), then this does not really matter. But evangelism cannot be separated from social action because mission takes place through relationships, and relationships are multi-faceted. As Paul says of his relationships with the Thessalonians, “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us” (1 Thessalonians 2:8).

Guy,

I’m still thinking about #2 as well.

FtME,

I’ve seen this in the US as well. Thanks for the example!

-Alan

You point #1 is excellent. Our model in cross-cultural work has been, for some time, to place team members in different areas and have them “reach out to” as many people as they can in a search for those who are open. In many cases this has resulted in great confusion on the part of those we are there to serve. They are a community-oriented people and do not understand how we speak of love for one another and this deep fellowship, but they never see us together. Praise be to God that many cross-cultural teams, at least in the Islamic world, are abandoning this model for exactly what you described… living life as a community and allowing, even encouraging, Muslims to see what it looks like. Great post!

Peace to you brother,
From the Middle East

I am interested to know how they define this statement.