Partnership in Mission

What does partnership in mission look like in the twenty-first century?  Is our role simply to pray, care and give so that missionaries can go?  Is there more to it?

Here’s a challenge for us: read Paul’s letter to the Philippians through in one go.  Scribble all over your Bible with some coloured pencils to work out some themes.  Notice the preponderance of ‘gospel’ and ‘Christ’.  Notice how the Gospel shapes Paul’s self-identity, prayers and ambitions, and relationships.  Notice how the Gospel shapes the partnership between the Philippian church and Paul the missionary.  

A friend and colleague, Sam McGeown, notes four ‘mutuals’: mutual prayer, mutual care, mutual suffering, and in mutual giving and receiving.  I’d like to focus on mutual suffering, for I think that’s what I’m weakest at.

First, notice that Paul is obviously suffering for the Gospel.  He is in chains defending and confirming the Gospel (1:7).  Because of this suffering, the Gospel advances as Paul preaches in prison and the church is emboldened to speak the Word (1:12-14).  This often happens for me, that others’ faithfulness in difficult ministry makes me bolder in mine.  As they suffer, we are made bold!  Does that happen for you?

Second, know that testifying to Christ may invite strange looks, gossip, and being marginalised in our workplaces, universities, schools, neighbourhoods, groups.  That’s Gospel partnership that involves mutual suffering!  1 Peter 2:12 puts it this way:

‘Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.’

Are we determined to live such lives this year?  Are you willing to be accused of doing wrong because of your Christian living?

Third, mutual suffering must be quantified.  Suffering is not notional.  Paul spells it out for the Philippians.  Prison.  Envious trouble-making rivals (1:17, 28).  Sorrow and worry over the health of friends (2:26).  Illness and the danger of death – for ourselves and for those we love (1:20, 2:26-30).  Separation from loved ones (2:26).  There’s an acknowledgement of the opportunity cost of giving to missions (4:19).  I give, so I won’t buy a new flat screen tv or take that expensive holiday.  It helps me to quantify ‘suffering’, and to thank God for the privilege of partnership.  Have you counted the cost of your mission partnership this year?  Will you thank God for it? 

Will you pray with me for an increase in mutual suffering for the Gospel cause in 2013?

(First published in CMS Victoria's Branch Matters, February 2013.)