In Deputation – Part 1 I discussed what deputation involves – who we are deputing for. Now, I’d like to get into the process of how it actually works. If you are confused by the process of deputation, you’re not alone. Many people we talk to don’t understand all the ins and outs. In fact, if we weren’t missionaries I doubt we’d understand it either.
A missionary, by simple definition, is someone who is sent to a geographical location other than his own to share the gospel. But sent by whom? The Bible says in Acts 13:4 that missionaries are sent by the Holy Spirit: So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia…
It is God who calls a person to the foreign mission field, not a church, denomination, or pastor. I wasn’t very good in 7th grade geography, and I doubt I could have picked the Philippines out on a map. I might have picked Japan by mistake. But now, I have a heart for the people there and to see them have their lives changed by Christ. How do you explain that? It’s simple: God has laid it on our hearts.
So you see, God through His Holy Spirit has directed us where to go.
Where has God asked you to go?What person, or group of people, has He laid on your heart?
I recently saw a news report about a new video that Lady Gaga is doing with Beyonce. I have not watched the video on Youtube, and I would suggest you don’t either. After reading the news article on it, the point is made.
Matt Drudge recently posted on his website this story about nude art figures that artist Antony Gormley is placing around Manhattan.
The argument is that these creations are art, and should be viewed and judged (or not judged) accordingly. I will concede that fact:
I do believe that these pieces qualify as art.
My definition of art: an item or experience created byhumans that engages the viewer, stirs imagination, or creates dialogue
These pieces – the video and the statue – are definitely art. My problem is that I don’t believe they are art that should be allowed to be displayed. “Wait a minute, Marc, what is this – Russia? Don’t you believe in free-speech?” I do. I believe that we are free to do what is right. And I believe that artwork of this nature does more damage to society than good. The beauty of America is that we, the people, decide what is permissible and what is not. Our freedoms of speech and art are not determined by a regime or dictator, but by ourselves.
We can vote for what we feel is permissible. So those of you that disagree with my assertion of this art can vote that way. And those of you that agree with me can vote that way. And whoever has the most votes, wins. So in one way, I’m glad that Lady Gaga is free to produce that video. I’m also glad that I have a vote to, in one way or another, decide that it can’t be played in public.
deputation (n): the act of appointing a person or body of people to represent or act on behalf of others
We are on deputation as missionaries. So who are we deputing for? Probably still the most famous deputy in America is Barney Fife, Andy Griffith’s one-bullet side kick. He represented Mayberry in all things criminal, as well as civil (think “citizens arrest, citizens arrest!” ) As missionaries, we are representing our ministry in several different ways. First and foremost, we are representing God, as He is the One who has laid our ministry on our hearts and continually opens doors for us. We also represent our church, Florence Baptist Temple, as we are out on the road visiting other churches. Interelated to the other two is the fact that we represent the people of Metro Manila. Over 18 million people, 50% of whom are under the age of 25, live in Manila. As a majority they do not know Christ and are confused by religion.
We represent people like our HDM Asia team member, Rodelle Macale. Here is his testimony:
“I am Rodelle Macale. I am 21 years old and like many young people now I am the product of a broken family. During my first year in high school I became involved in a gang. There I learned alot of bad things like saying many bad words to my teachers, fighting with many of my schoolmates, gang war, partying, marijuana, and immorality. Then one time one of my friends invited me to go to the Impact Camp, and he said it was for free. At the camp on May 29, 2007 I accepted Christ in my heart as my Lord and personal Savior and I decided to follow His will. At first it was really hard for me, but God is always there to help me change by process. I am now a member at Community Baptist Church Makati. I became involved first in the martial arts ministry of Toughguys International, and also Kids Jam, and drama ministry! Now God is still using me mightily in Honest Deceiver Ministries. This is a magic ministry, and I can do magic tricks with a card deck, illustrating the Word of God through this! I can win of minimum 50 souls for the Lord every month! I really love to share the Gospel every time I perform, and I always perform the magic for free! Because I received the gospel for free so I can share it also for free with amazement through card tricks! =) But I always give back all the glory to God! And now God is using me mightily in the church planting team for Community Baptist Church Mandaluyong.”
We are deputing so that we can see Jesus change other Filipino’s just like He changed Rodelle. So that is what deputation is about. That’s why we do this. In coming posts, we will talk about how the deputation process works…
In evangelical churches, we often talk about the challenges of witnessing and discussion turns to the best methods to bring someone to faith in Christ. But what if they came to us? That’s exactly what happened in Acts 5:12-16. The apostles were doing so many good things for people (physically, mind you) that they were coming to Christ in multitudes as a result.
Question: How can you help someone in need today that might show them (and their friends) the love of Christ?
There’s one thing that incites criticism faster than almost anything else: vision.
Vision, Andy Stanley says, is “a clear mental picture of what could be, fueled by the conviction that it should be.” A mental picture of something that does not yet exist, combined with the desire to make it a true reality inherently fosters uncertainty.
And uncertainty leads to criticism.
I have seen this in my own life from time to time. For example, starting a ministry based on the premise that sleight of hand is a powerful gospel tool is not the easiest thing for some people to buy into. Some of those people have questions. Vocal questions. Actually, more like strong recommendations. But I had (and have) that vision.
Questions: What vision do you have that people have questioned or criticized? How are you dealing with that?
