Fronse Pellebon Smith

Very insightful categorizations for folks considering ministry, mission in other places.

My wife Germaine and I value and are lifted up most knowing people are praying for us.

Good questions. 

Key question, does the community néed/want change agents from outside? If so are the agents aware/knowledgeable about community leadership structures?

Interesting topic, is it possible that "being set apart" has different meanings to different cultures in Christian environments? Can one ethnic reality cause different "hearing/ interpretation " of "set apart." 

Good information and advice. It is also important to 'listen' to facial expressions, voice tone, pitch, words used. Many people have different means of self expression based on their life experience and teachings. Animated conversations often reflect communication styles. It is important to listen to the words spoken more than how they are delivered.

Very good points. Congregations vary demographically. Age brackets, economic variants, social, political, culture capital, to name a few require assessment of in-congregation discussions and assessment before developing plans for community programs. Different generations have varied world-views. Thus there may need be multiple outreach strategies. Question: is the neighborhood changing faster than the congregation? Question 2: What do the young congregants think they can/should do? Seniors? 30, 40, 50 something's? etc. 

A very interesting discussion. As we continue to use language of inclusion and reconciliation, too often that discourse revolves around people of color NOT having resources, knowledge or means to witness the Gospel globally. The 'root' of race-differences is NOT necessarily economic. Rather the secular conversations about 'reconciliation' get tangled in our Christian language use and unfortunately quoting of Scripture is used to argue for or against 'in-Christ' brother and sisterhood. Our imperative should be to LIVE the Gospel at all times and in all we seek to witness for the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Brother Daniel

7), I believe participation by ALL stake-holders is needed before proceding in continuing an important dialogue such as this. This is my wisdom sense. This includes our Missions and Reformed African church partners. Our partners' ideas suggestions and wisdom should shape forward positive shaping of our business involvement in Africa.

We are doing well in this discussion and appreciation is  given to all participants. I am asking that we all include

an olde gospel song: "Standin' in the need of prayer" in our ' way forward'  to uplift the Church in Africa.

It is with God helping us that we can work together with our African partners, pastors, elders, deacons, congregants and lay buisnesspeople. I believe we are called to provide poles to the people we are teaching to fish.

It is a gross generalization to assume all people of 'other' ethnic or cultural backgrounds are poor and/or do not have or give resources to their churches. One person's opinion does not shake my foundation of faith in God or the CRCNA. And they have a right to their opinion(s). I find my Joy and Peace in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christs' assurance of Grace.

I read Joel Huyser's blog post "Are our/we living in a Bubble?" and believe he is posing in a different way some of the points being made here. Are  we 'witnessing to or for'  vs 'with.' Are his cogent points. I'd like folks here to read Joel's blogpost and consider his points in our discussion here.

Brother Daniel, Your reference to a business-person's approach reminds me that there are the equivalent of Chambers of Commerce in most urban environs. Searching by-country websites the formal organizations can be identified online.

i.e. In South Africa in the mid 90's a small group from Holland MI met with the Chambers of Commerce in Johannesburg, Capetown,  Port Elizabeth and Durban. In each city our receoption was very well received and spurred much interest in SA.

Fortunately or unfortunately this was not a concept well understood at the time. The meetings were arranged by URCSA ministers at first, who were wrestling with the dynamic changes in their congrants lives.

As a lay-person and retired businessman my travels to Africa (South, West) have taught me to adapt to and learn how best to 'help' by listening, learning and hearing what African businesspeople and churchpeople need and want expatriates like me to do. And it is not always money handouts, rather it is sourcing, providing information and learning capacity  building possibilities.