Being in Mission with Christ
We have found Tom Bandy to be a straight talker and an inspired church observer. Bandy has some wonderful ideas on the demanding changes that the church and its pastors are facing these days. Below are just two excerpts from Mission Mover, Beyond Education for Church Leadership, by Thomas C. Bandy (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2004). I share them with you because I found them to be pregnant with insight for us and our work today:



Yesterday's challenge was to find leaders to help people discover God in the midst of godlessness. Today's challenge is to find leaders to help people discern Christ in the midst of godliness. Can you do that? Are you excited about that?


The fundamental question you need to ask and answer is: Do you really, really want to be with Jesus on the road to mission? How you answer this question will largely determine you future. (pg. 20)



In the old days, you had to be prepared to write a sermon, hold a meeting, or rush to the hospital in case somebody had a knotty theological problem, political crisis, or personal dilemma. Today, you have to be prepared to interject Jesus into a conversation, form a trusting relationship, and overcome control.


. . . how will you be able to endure it? This seems like an odd question, but in some ways it is the most important of all. If you devote your life to Christian ministry you will be pursuing a course of least credibility among the pagan publics of the world. You will have less respect than the garbage collector, and significantly less income. You will be required to have more knowledge than doctors, lawyers, and university professors, but receive much less recognition and have little prestige. You will place yourself and your family in harm's way. (p. 27)


William H. Willimon