Even though I try to keep a pulse on culture and world events, I still feel like I live in a bubble. There is something enlightening about being in touch with what life is like for the rest of the world.
I believe that cultural awareness empowers us to be more Christlike. It helps us empathize. It helps us be relational. Most importantly, it helps us realize that people around the world are experiencing problems greater than our own.
Every year, World Press Photo highlights the best photojournalism of the year and video interviews the photographers about their experiences. They give an amazing glimpse of the cultures, the hurts, and the needs of the world. Visit their website to see the best of 2008 and 2007.
I think it is worth taking a few minutes to see some of the video interviews and photographs. They help me get out of my bubble and get in touch with the world. They make me think and evaluate if I am doing enough towards meeting the needs of our hurting world.
At MinistryCOM this year, I taught a session about finding balance in ministry between our mission and our methods. Here are the notes for my talk.
In church communications, we naturally want to be better stewards of the calling and improve our methods. But in the pursuit of improving our methods, we must be careful that we do not lose sight of our mission because doing so will steer us off course.
We need balance in our ministries. We need to be focused on our mission while at the same time constantly searching for ways to improve our methods.
True Christianity is balanced ministry, a combination of trust in God and commitment to action.
- George Barna
YOU ARE IN 1 OF 3 SITUATIONS
- Balance (ideal situation)
Balance is when you ministry is focused on improving its methods while still being laser-focused on its mission. Balance is when you allow the mission to guide the development of the methods.
- Mission-biased Imbalance.
Mission without methods is mismanagement. It is inefficient and underperforms. If you are focused on your mission, but you are not making an effort to improve your methods, you are falling short of your full potential. It is poor stewardship.
- Methods-biased Imbalance.
Methods without mission is misguided. Methods get things done, but they don’t always get the right things done. You need mission to guide you.
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