If you haven’t listened to Season 3 Episode 1 of the “Doing Together” podcast, I encourage you to do that. In the podcast, Dr. Danny Dunivan and Mark Powell discuss some of the topics I reference in this blog, including missions being central in General Baptist theology. In the words of Dr. Dunivan at the end of each episode, “If you haven’t already done so, I want to invite you to subscribe to the podcast on whatever platform you use to access our content.”
Our movement’s founder, Benoni Stinson, had two primary tenants: 1. Christ tasted death for every man; 2. Believers should be in fellowship despite differences.
Benoni’s two tenants lay the foundation for why we should be involved in missions: love everyone and partner with everyone.
It is that simple. However, it is not that easy. There are organizational structures, personalities, and preferences to navigate. I have three phrases I use to help explain missions in churches: “Container Dictates Content”, “Diagonal Relationships”, and “Here, you solve the problem”. In today’s blog, I focus on “Container Dictates Content”. Here are brief definitions for the other two:
“Diagonal Relationships” – People may be different, but when they have shared goals or projects, they can work together to accomplish things other people cannot.
“Here, you solve the problem” – If we simply give money, then we tell someone else to do our job from the Great Commission. When we give our hearts and full support, we go emotionally and relationally even if we physically stay.
“Container Dictates Content”
This concept can be applied in most areas of our lives. It can be an abstract concept, so here is a brief definition: The structure of something can either increase or limit the effectiveness of the message. Let me elaborate.
As an educator, I focus my classroom on trust. There needs to be trust in the classroom; that is the “container”. If there is not trust, then it does not matter what “content” I put in my lectures because the students will not get it. This concept is true with most things: if I yell at my tennis students (container), then they may miss what I tell them to do to improve their games (content); if Water the Dog and I go to a church to talk about clean water projects but the church never focuses on missions any other time (container), then the congregants may miss how they can help in a practical way (content).
For your church in missions, “Container Dictates Content” rings true for “how” your church should be involved in missions. For example, you get discouraged or frustrated when people do not get involved financially, prayerfully, or relationally, even after you or a guest missionary preach about loving the community and world. Did your people not catch the content? I would suggest it could be your church’s “container” dictated the “content” your people heard.
I encourage you to look at your “container”. Do congregants give to missions, or do they pass that responsibility to the organization? If your church budget gives to missions, then your “container” might suggest it is the organization’s responsibility to help. As a result, individuals and families may not hear the “content” that they need to have active roles as participants in local or global missions.
Is your church regularly focused on looking at and loving people (out) for the glory of God (up)? If not, then your “container” has not set a proper foundation. Then, when you preach a message, have a missionary speak, or even go on a mission trip, your people do not have a “container” to catch the “content” you are trying to give them.
As a church, it is our responsibility to equip saints. In education, we use the phrase “empowerment”. I can tell students everything they need to be empowered, but it is the students’ responsibility to grab that empowerment. However, it is my responsibility to create an environment where they are confident enough to grab that empowerment. The same is true for your church: create the “container” that increases the effectiveness of your “content”.
Why should General Baptists be involved in missions? It is in our DNA. Why should churches be involved in missions? Because it is a heart thing, and that is what the local church is all about: “Repent and Believe” (Mark 1:15). Our “containers” should promote “Repent and Believe” in the individual rather than the organization. “Repent and Believe” should be the mindset of the organization, but it should be the heartbeat of the individual.
About the Author: Mat Murphy has many titles and does many tasks, but all of them point to why he does them: empower people to realize they have value from and for Jesus. That includes empowering people locally to make a difference globally AND empowering people globally to appreciate and value their locally.