I'm in not-so-sunny Ashland, Ohio for denominational executive council. It's here where we wrestle, on behalf of the Brethren Church, with things political, financial, and strategic.
One big question this week: are we a national church with international partners or an international church. The implications are enormous either way.
If we ARE an international church, then our funds get dispersed around the world. If, on the other hand, we simply have international partners, then our funds largely get spent at home.
Given the current economic climate (I know one church where 25 families are now unemployed), it would be tempting to keep the funds at home.
But then I read the book of Acts and I see desperately poor churches giving to other churches simply because there was a need and the Spirit said give!
GCC is an international church. We have chosen to form close supportive relationships with like-minded church leaders around the world, starting in Kenya, then Malawi and Mozambique, and who knows...maybe Mexico.
These relationships, like the Acts relationships are a mutual blessing. We share our resources, they share the ministry opportunity. They get help. We get a cross-cultural experience for our folks at home.
And it does something else...it reminds us as Americans that there is a bigger world our there and that it's not just about OUR needs.
Our position as an international church allows us to experience the Acts story for ourselves...and really, how does it get any better than living in the pages of the book of Acts?!
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