The observations and ruminations of Hershael W. York, Pastor of Buck Run Baptist Church and Victor and Louise Lester Professor of Christian Preaching at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary as well as trustee of the International Mission Board and frequent traveler to Brazil, all while trying to be Tanya's husband and dad to Michael and Seth, father-in-law to Sarah and Candace.
Dr. York, I want to encourage you and let you know that I am praying for you. Hang in there, and thanks again for serving us as you do. Your conduct reminds me of Jude 19 - Michael has every right to unload on Satan, but only says three words (maybe two in Greek?) to him. I'm proud to have Trustees like you! Grace and peace, Thomas Thompson IMB missionary in Estonia
I am thrilled to see you stop by, my man! I would still love your opinion on the short term issue. Feel free to email me if you like.
The Lord is testing my resolve in not responding to some things and, instead, trying to understand why people do what they do. Yogi, you got it right. James actually gave that command in the context of hearing the Word. I think our ability to hear the word is directly related to our ability to be 'slow to speak.'
I'm actually currently writing a post based off of your question. I would love to get some responses from other career "m's" as well as some 2 year people.
I have my own personal opinion....I think they're highly effective for a few reasons.... :::they turn into long-term m's. I worked my way from 10 day trip to Romania in 1993, to ISC term in 2001 to career appointment in 2006. ::: they turn in life long advocates for all things missional. ::: they make missions personal for a whole new generation....they help bridge the gap ::: Jman and ISC terms provide people with an opportunity to experience this type of life and work in a much quicker way with less commitment. This is vital for under 40's that like to touch, taste, smell and try everything first
I wholeheartedly agree that short term missions is worth it. The fact that you are on the field is proof of it. That being the case, though, I think you need to go back and revise your original analysis of the IMB data I provided and limit the comments about the cost, etc., only to those M's who actually leave the field early rather than those who retire or complete their service.
Your original caution is certainly correct, however. Even though we seem to have the lowest attrition rate of any of the GCSAs, we need to do everything we can to further reduce it.
Man, I just got back from observing a candidate conference. Those guys do everything in their power to make sure that everyone who gets to the field is going to stick it out. I was impressed. As a trustee I promise you that I will do everything I can to encourage and support you guys so that you can do what God has called you to do without having to worry about extraneous matters.
Just a quick comment and question. First, I commend you for your love for missions and the mission field. As I am contemplating our phone conversation and my desire to communicate that I believe that you do love our SBC missionaries and mission work in general, and that your comment on my website "When are you going to publish Dr. Rankin's letter?" did not reflect participation with others who have sought to bully those who disagree with them into silence, and you are, in fact, not a bully, I have just a brief question. In your post today, and as evidenced by the first comment, some might actually assume that you believe I am a fool or comparable to Satan, being admonished by Jude - are you seeking to infer that I am a fool? As you probably understand, it makes it very difficult to do what you request if your answer is in the affirmative.
I can only assure you that my posts and comments are all for application and instruction to myself. My struggle is making certain that I don't act like a fool, not judging whether or not someone else has done so.
Unlike the comments on your blog, however, that called me by name and assumed and stated many erroneous things about me, I have not allowed any comments that named you. I hope you can see that even while I have felt so very wronged I have tried to be Christlike. I value you as a brother and I do not want to have any personal animus between us. We certainly disagree on ecclesiology, but I would point out to you that one of my dearest friends is a Free Will Baptist pastor and neither of my two closest pastor friends calls himself a Calvinist nor has my ecclesiology. I can easily get along with and work with those who disagree theologically. I have pledged that to you before and I do so again now.
9 comments:
Dr. York,
I want to encourage you and let you know that I am praying for you. Hang in there, and thanks again for serving us as you do. Your conduct reminds me of Jude 19 - Michael has every right to unload on Satan, but only says three words (maybe two in Greek?) to him. I'm proud to have Trustees like you!
Grace and peace,
Thomas Thompson
IMB missionary in Estonia
This fits very nicely with, "be slow to speak and quick to listen."
Something I know I need to practice more often, thanks for the encouragement...
Yogi
Dr. York,
Thanks for stopping by the "crossing". Great scripture....I need to remember this one, especially as I surf around the blogs.
Blessings!
Camel!
I am thrilled to see you stop by, my man! I would still love your opinion on the short term issue. Feel free to email me if you like.
The Lord is testing my resolve in not responding to some things and, instead, trying to understand why people do what they do. Yogi, you got it right. James actually gave that command in the context of hearing the Word. I think our ability to hear the word is directly related to our ability to be 'slow to speak.'
Thomas, as always it's good to hear from you.
HWY
I'm actually currently writing a post based off of your question. I would love to get some responses from other career "m's" as well as some 2 year people.
I have my own personal opinion....I think they're highly effective for a few reasons....
:::they turn into long-term m's. I worked my way from 10 day trip to Romania in 1993, to ISC term in 2001 to career appointment in 2006.
::: they turn in life long advocates for all things missional.
::: they make missions personal for a whole new generation....they help bridge the gap
::: Jman and ISC terms provide people with an opportunity to experience this type of life and work in a much quicker way with less commitment. This is vital for under 40's that like to touch, taste, smell and try everything first
What do you think?
I wholeheartedly agree that short term missions is worth it. The fact that you are on the field is proof of it. That being the case, though, I think you need to go back and revise your original analysis of the IMB data I provided and limit the comments about the cost, etc., only to those M's who actually leave the field early rather than those who retire or complete their service.
Your original caution is certainly correct, however. Even though we seem to have the lowest attrition rate of any of the GCSAs, we need to do everything we can to further reduce it.
Man, I just got back from observing a candidate conference. Those guys do everything in their power to make sure that everyone who gets to the field is going to stick it out. I was impressed. As a trustee I promise you that I will do everything I can to encourage and support you guys so that you can do what God has called you to do without having to worry about extraneous matters.
Hershael,
Just a quick comment and question. First, I commend you for your love for missions and the mission field. As I am contemplating our phone conversation and my desire to communicate that I believe that you do love our SBC missionaries and mission work in general, and that your comment on my website "When are you going to publish Dr. Rankin's letter?" did not reflect participation with others who have sought to bully those who disagree with them into silence, and you are, in fact, not a bully, I have just a brief question. In your post today, and as evidenced by the first comment, some might actually assume that you believe I am a fool or comparable to Satan, being admonished by Jude - are you seeking to infer that I am a fool? As you probably understand, it makes it very difficult to do what you request if your answer is in the affirmative.
In His Grace,
Wade
Wade:
I can only assure you that my posts and comments are all for application and instruction to myself. My struggle is making certain that I don't act like a fool, not judging whether or not someone else has done so.
Unlike the comments on your blog, however, that called me by name and assumed and stated many erroneous things about me, I have not allowed any comments that named you. I hope you can see that even while I have felt so very wronged I have tried to be Christlike. I value you as a brother and I do not want to have any personal animus between us. We certainly disagree on ecclesiology, but I would point out to you that one of my dearest friends is a Free Will Baptist pastor and neither of my two closest pastor friends calls himself a Calvinist nor has my ecclesiology. I can easily get along with and work with those who disagree theologically. I have pledged that to you before and I do so again now.
HWY
Thank you Hershael for the clarification. I understand and appreciate your answer.
Wade
Post a Comment