![]() We invite both pastors and missionaries to write to us with proposed contributions for a second edition. This first issue, we hope, will stir interest in its readers, especially among pastors and missionaries. I believe that now I would be derelict in the performance of my calling if I do not say more to American pastors (as well as to missionaries) that will help them to better understand missions and missionaries. A third, yet unmarried, our Christian poet laureate, is active in the Lord's work. Another, at this writing, is newly wed to a foreign missionary. My wife and I have already raised several of our own seven children to adulthood, and seen them go on to serve the Lord. Now, at fifty-one years of age, and in my thirtieth year in the Gospel ministry, as a pastor, evangelist and foreign missionary, it is time for me to write and to speak. I felt I had to be much restrained, so as not to appear to be arrogantly instructing the pastors. Fifteen years ago I was (properly so) more limited in the ways I could approach pastors in the United States on some subjects, even though I had then already gained five years of experience in the pastorate in Florida. I'm still in school, but I believe I, by the grace of God, handle these things a little more wisely now. I needed to learn more about when to become indignant about the wrong (doctrine, methods, attitudes, cultural characteristics, etceteras) around me, that I knew I could and should influence, without losing compassion and longsuffering. I needed to learn more about working with men and with people in general. I needed to see underground churches established in a Communist country, and one free church built in the Philippines. ![]() I needed to see some souls come to Jesus Christ and see some men trained under my own ministry. I needed to go through certain experiences, tackle some difficulties, suffer some losses, enjoy some victories and learn some lessons. ![]() At that time, though I had pastored in the United States, I was still lacking sufficient personal experience on the foreign field. It would have been, perhaps, inappropriate for me to write or to speak on many of these things even fifteen years ago. It has come to my heart to write some things regarding relationships and means of cooperation between local church pastors in their churches in the United States and missionaries (especially foreign missionaries, but also "home" missionaries) who labor to win the lost, baptize and plant churches. Missionary Servanthood and Practical Authority ![]()
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