Comments on: So you want to be a Missionary. http://cottrillcompass.com/blog/2009/so-you-want-to-be-a-missionary.html The personal blog of the Cottrill family, Canadians living in Mexico. Mon, 07 May 2012 21:33:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Jim http://cottrillcompass.com/blog/2009/so-you-want-to-be-a-missionary.html/comment-page-1#comment-46931 Jim Mon, 01 Mar 2010 13:13:29 +0000 http://cottrillcompass.com/blog/?p=912#comment-46931 Thanks, Rebecca and Michelle! I haven't read the book, but here it is - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/185788292X/cottrillcompa-20" rel="nofollow">The Survival Kit to Overseas Living</a>. Looks like it's aimed more toward Americans, but there it is for those who are interested (yes, I know people from the US read this blog!). :) Yes, those working part or full time at "home" do have special challenges, there's no doubt (we know, having done it!). I would say one thing, though. I wouldn't want anyone to skip the whole "support raising" thing. Whether or not they need additional funds, building a network of supporters is SO important, both for them and for the Christian worker. I wouldn't want anyone to miss it. Thanks, Rebecca and Michelle!

I haven’t read the book, but here it is – The Survival Kit to Overseas Living. Looks like it’s aimed more toward Americans, but there it is for those who are interested (yes, I know people from the US read this blog!). :)

Yes, those working part or full time at “home” do have special challenges, there’s no doubt (we know, having done it!).

I would say one thing, though. I wouldn’t want anyone to skip the whole “support raising” thing. Whether or not they need additional funds, building a network of supporters is SO important, both for them and for the Christian worker. I wouldn’t want anyone to miss it.

]]> By: Michelle Porter http://cottrillcompass.com/blog/2009/so-you-want-to-be-a-missionary.html/comment-page-1#comment-46863 Michelle Porter Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:36:32 +0000 http://cottrillcompass.com/blog/?p=912#comment-46863 One of the most challenging aspects of my work in urban missions is convincing folks at home that it is a worthy missionary calling. I wish more people, who feel the call of God on their life, would consider giving a year of service to their local mission. We have an extensive training program, where we cover room and board, and, for those enrolling in City Vision College, their education. But we also have had up to 11 position openings this year, that we have had trouble filling. Imagine, you could skip the whole "raising support" thing, come work cross-culturally at home for one or two years, and really find out if full-time missionary work is for you! It gives experience to the individual, and lends credibility to their call to go overseas. It also helps those at home who are trapped in the inner city cycles of poverty, addiction and sin. And by the missionary's connection, gets home churches excited to serve the poor as well. Not all can go to foreign lands, but all can do something. One of the most challenging aspects of my work in urban missions is convincing folks at home that it is a worthy missionary calling. I wish more people, who feel the call of God on their life, would consider giving a year of service to their local mission.

We have an extensive training program, where we cover room and board, and, for those enrolling in City Vision College, their education. But we also have had up to 11 position openings this year, that we have had trouble filling. Imagine, you could skip the whole “raising support” thing, come work cross-culturally at home for one or two years, and really find out if full-time missionary work is for you!

It gives experience to the individual, and lends credibility to their call to go overseas. It also helps those at home who are trapped in the inner city cycles of poverty, addiction and sin. And by the missionary’s connection, gets home churches excited to serve the poor as well.

Not all can go to foreign lands, but all can do something.

]]> By: RebeccaC http://cottrillcompass.com/blog/2009/so-you-want-to-be-a-missionary.html/comment-page-1#comment-44206 RebeccaC Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:39:11 +0000 http://cottrillcompass.com/blog/?p=912#comment-44206 Good post, Jim. Totally agree with everything. ;^) My favorite book for preparing to move to a new culture was "The Survival Kit for Overseas Living". I went through it with the kids and I think it helped us to not make as many "gringo" mistakes as we would have otherwise. It's not a specifically Christian book, but it's very applicable -- and it's a quick read, too. DTB! What's this about pillar wars??? You've got me curious! :^) Good post, Jim. Totally agree with everything. ;^)

My favorite book for preparing to move to a new culture was “The Survival Kit for Overseas Living”. I went through it with the kids and I think it helped us to not make as many “gringo” mistakes as we would have otherwise. It’s not a specifically Christian book, but it’s very applicable — and it’s a quick read, too.

DTB!

What’s this about pillar wars??? You’ve got me curious! :^)

]]> By: Jim http://cottrillcompass.com/blog/2009/so-you-want-to-be-a-missionary.html/comment-page-1#comment-43652 Jim Fri, 13 Feb 2009 14:39:15 +0000 http://cottrillcompass.com/blog/?p=912#comment-43652 Good point, Elizabeth, about your job "on paper". It's amazing how other talents and bits of experience can be used by God... Good point, Elizabeth, about your job “on paper”. It’s amazing how other talents and bits of experience can be used by God…

]]> By: Elizabeth H. http://cottrillcompass.com/blog/2009/so-you-want-to-be-a-missionary.html/comment-page-1#comment-43627 Elizabeth H. Thu, 12 Feb 2009 05:40:52 +0000 http://cottrillcompass.com/blog/?p=912#comment-43627 Nicely worded, especially about knowing your passions. It may be as specific as a profession, or it may just be an interest that has always had a special place in your life, but you've never known how it could be useful. And in missions, it suddenly makes sense. Even if your official missionary "duties" might be described one way on paper, all those other gifts and passions that don't quite fit into a specific role will gradually find their use. Nicely worded, especially about knowing your passions. It may be as specific as a profession, or it may just be an interest that has always had a special place in your life, but you’ve never known how it could be useful. And in missions, it suddenly makes sense. Even if your official missionary “duties” might be described one way on paper, all those other gifts and passions that don’t quite fit into a specific role will gradually find their use.

]]> By: Jim http://cottrillcompass.com/blog/2009/so-you-want-to-be-a-missionary.html/comment-page-1#comment-43622 Jim Mon, 09 Feb 2009 01:51:31 +0000 http://cottrillcompass.com/blog/?p=912#comment-43622 You're right (although maybe "living as missionaries" can be a misunderstood term). I didn't include that specifically, because I think #2 will ideally cover it. If your leaders feel you are an excellent pew-warmer, I doubt you'll have their support to go pew-warm in another culture. On the other hand, some people think they are wonderful Christian workers, but when you hear from their church you get a different story. We're excellent at deceiving ourselves. That being said, sadly I think sometimes churches and church leadership can be less than helpful. Recently I heard a story of a man who went to the leadership of his church with a similar question. "Why are you asking us?" they said,"That's between you and God!" Hmmmm... not very supportive. And Jesus gave us the "assembly" so that we could.... ignore it and all do our own thing? So maybe you're right, maybe I should include specifically the point about service at home. You’re right (although maybe “living as missionaries” can be a misunderstood term). I didn’t include that specifically, because I think #2 will ideally cover it. If your leaders feel you are an excellent pew-warmer, I doubt you’ll have their support to go pew-warm in another culture.

On the other hand, some people think they are wonderful Christian workers, but when you hear from their church you get a different story. We’re excellent at deceiving ourselves.

That being said, sadly I think sometimes churches and church leadership can be less than helpful. Recently I heard a story of a man who went to the leadership of his church with a similar question. “Why are you asking us?” they said,”That’s between you and God!”

Hmmmm… not very supportive. And Jesus gave us the “assembly” so that we could…. ignore it and all do our own thing?

So maybe you’re right, maybe I should include specifically the point about service at home.

]]> By: Patricia Knightly (via Facebook) http://cottrillcompass.com/blog/2009/so-you-want-to-be-a-missionary.html/comment-page-1#comment-43621 Patricia Knightly (via Facebook) Mon, 09 Feb 2009 01:47:47 +0000 http://cottrillcompass.com/blog/?p=912#comment-43621 Something to ponder if one is considering missions abroad is "The light that shines farthest shines brightest at home" L.E. Maxwell. People should ask themselves if they are living as missionaries at home before trying to do that abroad. Something to ponder if one is considering missions abroad is “The light that shines farthest shines brightest at home” L.E. Maxwell.
People should ask themselves if they are living as missionaries at home before trying to do that abroad.

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