. . . we need to take sailing lessons!
Alex Araujo of Spokane-based Partners International from Brazil
compared the mission churches of the majority world with the mission
movement of the West. Araujo likened the Western mission movement to a
powerboat. The powerboat has its own source of power and fuel on board.
Except for extreme weather conditions, the pilot can set the course and
stay on schedule. He needs to pay attention mainly to the instruments
and the running of the engine, though of course he needs to watch
ahead and steer the boat and govern the speed accordingly. But he can
do that. Everything is under his control.
Mission from the Western perspective is mainly a managerial operation:
List your needs. Get your ducks in a row. And "just do it!"
Missions in the majority world, Araujo said, is more like a
sailboat. The crew receives a totally different kind of training. They
are skilled in reading the sky, the wind, the waves. The boat can move
only when the winds are favorable . . . or can make rapid progress only
when the winds are behind them. At other times they buck the wind and
the waves, and must make many zigzags to make a little forward
progress. [Illustration taken from John Lindner at
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Aren't the applications obvious?
Western industry and technology have given us high speed power boats
and automatic pilot, which, in spiritual realms, has given us a false
sense of ability and security. We chart our course with the help of
strategic planning guides, often with a modicum of listening prayer.
Our high octane fuel may rely more on glossy post cards and banners
than people praying and caring and sharing with their neighbors. And,
maybe most crucial of all, our destinations may be set more by the
stars of our own vision than by the often surprising and humbling
leading of the Spirit.
Sailing, on the other hand, requires spiritual skills completely
different than what it takes to design a slick power point or website.
Neither of these are bad; they can both be used effectively for
ministry and allowed persons in the Body to use their gifts in creative
ways. The problem, as I see it, is that the skills of listening,
discerning responding, and facilitating become undeveloped and
unvalued. Prayer, the corporate variety especially, is in need of
skilled sailors who can take us far away from the comforts of the
shoreline to enable the Church to explore new destinations for service
and evangelism.
Power boat praying may be needed in specific circumstances related to a
spiritual attack but sail boating is much more the norm of daily
personal and weekly corporate praying. What will it take for the Church
to affirm the skills of those who can facilitate, as well as those who
forge, in prayer?
It seems to me ... we need more pastors and prayer leaders to sign-up for sailing lessons!
Pastor Phil
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August 2008 
