All actual questions, asked by multiple people.
So what will you really do, from day to day?
That's a hard question to answer, as I believe that much of what I do will have to take shape as I go along. A day could involve hands-on service with an organization or church as I learn my way through the community. It could mean meetings in coffee shops to encourage individuals, to offer mentorship to other young adults, to dream and plan with pastors, and to get to know the struggles and promises of people trying to serve Jesus. It could be filled with research and preparation to teach a workshop or seminar at a church. It could have me communicating about what I'm doing and learning to people like you! But what every day should point to is the goal of empowering the church be the church-- specifically helping the church in the city to engage in urban ministry.
Why would a church need you?/ How will you help?
Here I like to clarify how I see my role. Though I do have skills and tools for evaluation and program development, I shy away from seeing myself as a consultant to churches. Consultants come in as experts with answers. I am not an expert, nor do I carry a package of ready-made answers, but I do bring clarity and straightforward questions to the table-- more like a counselor. Churches sometimes need a nudge in the right direction, or perhaps a fresh perspective on the things they've been trying to do. Other times they simply need to know where to turn. I help by being a bridge and a connector, a person who asks questions, who cares, who looks for the bigger picture and the patterns churches/ Christians find themselves in. I've done this in a faith-based organization in Miami, FL and as a layperson in my home church. It's yielded such great opportunities to see God at work! It's also shown me the need in very clear ways.
How do you get matched up with churches and their leaders?
It's a such a relationship-based ministry that I'll really have to get to know people by knowing people. I get help in this from my supervisor, who's been working in San Diego for about 8 years and knows lots of great folks who are in on these kinds of conversations. I also pray that God will use connections I have with InterVarsity staff and students in the region to take me in new directions.
Why do you need to go to San Diego to do this if there are churches and cities on the east coast?
Believe me, if I had found an organization that I resonated with this clearly in almost any eastern city, I would have gone for it! I believe God has drawn me specifically to Urban Mosaic for this time and season, and I feel that this is an important opportunity to learn and serve in the midst of some incredible things God is doing-- and it happens to be in San Diego that I have a willing supervisor. =) It also ties in nicely with links I have with Mexico over the past few years. Certainly, though, this work could be done ANYWHERE in the U.S. for the strengthening of the body of Christ. My initial commitment is to learn and discern in San Diego for 1-2 years, open to where God may lead from there.
Didn't you get a college degree? So why don't they pay you for doing this job?
Now, I'm not just saying this... I really do believe that I have the unique opportunity and privilege to rely on the Lord for my financial support. It is an incredibly humbling, thrilling, grating, revealing roller-coaster kind of experience to depend on God so radically. Don't you all want to do that? ;-) But seriously, I raise support because it's Biblical that those who work for the gospel be supported by those who believe (1 Corinthians 9:13-14). Much as a pastor receives a salary from the giving of a congregation-- I just have a really potentially large "congregation" of sorts that stretches around the world! The absence of a "provided" salary is not an indicator of my intelligence or value as an employee. All of CRM's field staff raise their personal support.
When are you moving to California?
This is dependent on my funding. I want to be able to focus on settling in and fully committing to ministry with Urban Mosaic when I get to San Diego, which means that I need a solid funding base before I go. My goal is to be at least 90% funded to receive approval to relocate. I pray that this happens before the end of 2009.
Ask more questions. =) I'm happy to answer.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Setting Out and Keeping Going
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"Missionary work is like a pair of sandals that have been given to the Church in order that it shall set out on the road and keep on going to make known the mystery of the gospel."
-Johannes Blauw
Some of you join me anew, while others have been "on the road" at my side for years now. Regardless, we are here, right? It has been my honor and privilege to walk with dear companions for the past few years, travelling in North and South America, working in non-profits and churches (and a few agricultural patches), praying, discerning, and letting God be my one true home. In that journey, certain things have clearly emerged from my cluttered talents and discernment static:
- I am often most fully alive when at the margins of this world-- surrounded by doubts and hopes and parties and tragedies; in places forgotten, ignored, avoided; among people called "poor", oppressed, blessed, or beautiful.
- God keeps calling me back to the Church: to know and love and speak with God's people.
What would it mean to love the Church AND help the Church to love the world?
THAT is part of the question that launched me to the Urban Mosaic team within Church Resource Ministries (CRM). There, I found others in ministry to the Church in North America. There, I found people who could guide me into this kind of work. There, I found encouragement and affirmation for my skills and passions of working with non-profits and churches, of coordinating, administrating, and building bridges among the body of Christ. And God nudged me THERE, to a team of kingdom-dreamers in San Diego, California.
Working with Urban Mosaic enables me to build relationships and invest in Christian leaders committed to mission in the complexity of an urban setting. Thinking creatively and offering support through group trainings, friendship, counseling and prayer, my hope is to equip individuals and groups to work for the transformation of their community into a place where justice rolls like a river, and righteousness like a never-failing stream (Amos 5:24). Particularly in San Diego, there is the opportunity to encourage people to work together from numerous churches and backgrounds—and even across national borders. I look forward to participating in ongoing ministries in San Diego/ Tijuana, getting to know the people, churches, gifts and needs of that region. In sum, I will TEACH about God’s heart for mission and the city, ENCOURAGE those who are already putting together pieces of knowing and serving Jesus in their context, and PARTICIPATE in ministries of compassion and justice in San Diego. All with the hope and prayer for the Church to BE the Church.
That's still a big picture, one that I hope will come into focus with posts to come! In the meantime, the task that stands immediately before me is that of gathering the prayer and financial support that will sustain me in this ministry. I have already raised over half of the needed $3,700-per-month (for salary and ministry expenses) and gathered a number of prayer partners; would you consider whether God might be leading you to join me in this work?
- PRAYER - please contact me and/ or keep an eye on this blog for ways to pray.
- FINANCES -
- I am praying for: 10 new monthly donors, giving $100 a month;
- for : 15 new monthly donors, giving $25-50 a month;
- and for: lump-sum annual and one-time gifts
- Simply request materials by mail or e-mail, or donate online.
- CONNECTIONS - do you know someone else who would be inspired/ excited/ intrigued by what God is doing in this ministry? Help us meet one another!
- [CONTACT] - Get in touch with me: LaLee7(at)gmail(dot)com.
-Laura Lee
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