Tomorrow (Sunday) after 13 days in Macedonia, Kris and i will start our journey home. Our trip has been cut short because the conflict in the church is not resolved and the powers at be, do not see it getting resolved real soon. This also means that our church's team of 12 is cancelled as well. There is great disappointment here and at home that this could not have worked out. Never the less, what seems to be a huge failure may turn into a great victory and maybe future revival for the church and the country. I had breakfast with a Macedonian Pastor and he was excited that this situation may have unearthed what ultimately God wanted to do, more then any team or any preaching series that I had planned. So what has been learned through this experience....
1. A personal offence in one culture and country may or may not be as serious in another or it could be the worst violation of love and good will -- there is no rhyme or reason. Humility, grace, repentance and willingness to try to resolve it is your only hope -- and even that is up in the air. we like things "fixed fast" in the USA -- doesn't always happen in other fields.
2. Resolving conflict is not done in the same way or timetable as per the country and culture. We are use to a very quick, instaneous society and relationships in the USA -- not so elsewhere.
3. The culture is NEVER to be used as an excuse for obeying the Bible! I appreciate the sensitivity to cultural issues -- but obedience is obedience is obedience. I believe in a post modern world this will become a more divisive issue and very prevelant in our world! Tne truth is truth -- and we can know truth and we can and should be dogmatic about the truth!
4. Buy travel insurance (we have lost a large amount of money on non-refurndable tickets).
5. Missionaries - trying to embrace and assimilate into a certain culture have a difficult time separating cultural mores and the need to push for Biblical obedience unto the people they are ministering to. This is a tough one - i saw over and over. Missionaries are in a catch-22 - if they demand a disciple's response to new Christians it could shut the door of ministry. But they are not helping them understand if they don't demand the proper response to the Lordship of Christ. When in doubt -- the Bible and Lordship should win out!
6. Your presence in a place has as much of impact as does what you do or the ministry you might dispense. The fact is I was not able to preach or teach or minister -- however my willingness to come hear spoke loudly to those involved with the situation.
7. This is a very common thing that missionries face -- it is absolutely horrifying and disappointing to us. Fact is this stuff happens ALL THE TIME!!! Probably more so then we would like to hear!
8. There are some incredible ministry happening in MK that we did not know. the other pastors involved opened up contacts and relationships with other wonderful believers. There are a number of thriving churches in Skopje and effective ministry happening.
9. There is always TOMORROW! The bridge is still there and now we wait to see what God will do. We will pray that a year from now our team will get to come to MK and minister as we had hoped. There will be another day -- we will pray for that day to be redeemed!