August 2007 IMCO (Inter-Mission Cooperative Outreach) Family Conference—a
conference to remember!
About 700 people (non-Native and First Nations missionaries and church leaders
and more than 200 missionary children) gathered for five days on the campus of
Briercrest College in Caronport, Saskatchewan, Canada. They met to worship,
fellowship, gain mutual understanding, and promote partnering in the fulfillment
of Christ’s Great Commission.
Beginning with an early morning Aboriginal
Forum, the daily schedule was
packed with plenary sessions by Dr. Erwin Lutzer and Dr. Duane Elmer and a
multitude of workshops—all focused on the conference theme of “Divinely
Appointed Relationships.” The youth enjoyed drama, music, and creative
workshops, as well as spiritually nurturing sessions. The six- to
twelve-year-olds were absorbed by interactive Kids for the Nations activities, a
program designed to raise “an army of missions-minded kids.”
During the Aboriginal Forums, various First Nations leaders responded to the
content of plenary sessions and shared their hearts concerning ministry. Some
pointed out the importance of relationships among Native people, which result in
consensus rather than in individual decisions. Forum participants exhorted the
conferees to “Preach the Word without compromise!” Some cautioned other First
Nation leaders to recognize that cultural differences exist even within Native
groups and to be sensitive to these differences so as not to hinder the growth
of the Native church.
Another conference highlight was the series of messages by Dr. Lutzer, senior
pastor of Moody Church in Chicago and author of several books. Dealing with
“Divinely Appointed Relationships,” Dr. Lutzer spoke convictingly about the way
Christians should deal with offenses, people who “throw spears,” bitterness, and
reconciliation. “Either we will master sin or it will master us,” he said. “We
need to be united by the Blood of Christ that forgives and unites.”
Referring to King Saul’s treatment of David, Dr. Lutzer asserted that we are to
deal with “spear- throwers” by dodging them (keeping our mouths shut and not
wrestling with them), not becoming spear-throwers ourselves, and learning
through such experiences the lessons God wants to teach us. He believes that God
has put “spear-throwers” in our lives for a purpose.
He used the story of Joseph to introduce the subject of bitterness. Character
traits that helped Joseph to refrain from bitterness included his refusal to be
defined by his past, his choice to set his brothers free, his ability to see God
in the injustice done, his blessing rather than cursing his brothers, and his
refusal to retaliate. Bitterness is the enemy of faith, and forgiveness is both
an act and a process.
Dr. Lutzer maintains that the members of Christ’s Body are interconnected; their
behavior affects each other. We should act like white blood cells that gather at
a wound site and minister to those who are hurt, dying to ourselves in the
process. He urged the importance of reconciliation, noting that it is one of the
great marks of revival.
Dr. Duane Elmer, author, cross-cultural specialist, Director of the PhD Program
in Educational Studies and G.W. Aldeen Professor of International Studies at
Trinity International University in Deerfield, Illinois, stretched our minds and
challenged us with the monumental role that cultural understanding plays in
cross-cultural communication. “Christian missionaries frequently make cultural
clones, not disciples of Christ,” he asserted. We relate to others from our
frame of reference and often are judgmental when we encounter cultural ways of
others with which we disagree. We need to trust the good-heartedness of others
when confused by their actions instead of thinking negatively about them.
Many of our conflicts are due to cultural difference or personal preference, not
theological problems. Most often, cultural ways are not right or wrong, just
different; however, all too frequently we label whatever we disagree with as
“wrong.” To be cross-cultural servants, we must have an attitude of openness,
acceptance, trust, willingness to learn and understand, and a heart to serve. We
need to develop the ability to view life through the lens of the other person.
Workshops covered family issues, difficult issues of ministry, ministry skills,
and attitudes and awareness. Forty percent of the workshops were facilitated in
part or in full by Native leadership.
IMCO, a partnership of ten missions, has as its goal the reaching of Aboriginal
peoples in North America with the Gospel of Jesus Christ with view to the
establishment of a strong and reproductive Native church. It was established in
the early 1970s with the firm conviction that partnership is vital to the
completion of the Great Commission. Members consult with one another, exchange
information, and partner with one another on specific tasks.
To borrow from the conference program booklet, A
God-given vision for ministry is always too large for people to accomplish on
their own. God-sized dreams require the help of God and the help of others. The
conference underscored this truth in numerous ways.
This summary adapted from Juanita
Fike, UIM Int'l
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