From National to International
Recently our International Church team met for our monthly meeting to hear one another’s hearts, cast vision, and implement ministry.
As we shared around the circle an obvious theme emerged. Let’s move from “National to International.” Please allow me to ask.
Large churches exist around the world. Can the National churches factor in the growing number of global nomads? Can the National Church become an International Church?
Why? Because God is all about the nations, diaspora, least reached people groups.
Why? Because Jesus said, “make disciples of all nations” Matt 28:19.
John wrote about people standing before the Lamb. “I saw a huge crowd, too huge to count. Everyone was there—all nations and tribes, all races, and languages” Rev 7:9.
The International Church includes ALL. Starting and strengthening churches with a view to include those outside the local “oikos” and accepted “ethos” is the Biblical model.
Debbie and I started International Church ministry in the east and we have moved west three times: Indonesia, Asia, Kuwait, Middle East and now France, Europe.
The connection in these varied contexts is that promoting “International” inside an established group is a tough sell. Until the global nomad’s land in your backyard outside their home.
It doesn’t seem to matter where they come from, they intensely desire inclusion. Acceptance is a basic human need. It has a different size, shape and colour for someone away from home.
So how does our International Church team move from National to International?
We are creating and catalyzing a new culture of inclusion on steroids!
We are simply utilizing every expression of acceptance to draw people out of exclusion and into inclusion. People are deeply longing for heaven’s kaleidoscope of people.
Moving from National to International will ruin you forever! We are spoiled for the ordinary.
Moving toward a huge crowd that includes all races and languages is simply amazing!
We have experienced up close and personal the favour of God when his desire to reach the nations happens in a local International assembly of the multiple nations and a variety of tribes.
Our choice to include is creating a new “culture of belonging” that is attracting people beyond a National mentality and practice into an International orientation and approach.
It is fascinating to observe individuals experiencing the journey from National to International. It’s like a light turned on in a room that needed more watts to see clearer.
A French National teacher on our International church team is emerging from National to International in her experience, understanding and ministry approach.
She said, “we need this kind of inclusion and the demonstration of what it means to accept people into the International church, this is new, and I love it.”
What does this look like to create a culture of inclusion today in our setting here in Paris?
Our team prays first
This means God starts, not a self-start
Our team listens to people
This means hearing God’s voice not speaking our thoughts
Our team hears God’s agenda in their stories
This means listening for God instead of driving for God
Our team recognizes God is unpredictable
This means submitting strategy and perfectionism
Our team seeks to fear God
This means rejecting the fear of man
Our team is under God’s authority
This means accepting decisions outside our control
Our team practices relationship first
This means prioritizing production second
Our team rests in God’s arms
This means we don’t overwork our arms
John wrote, “everyone was there.” Collecting multiple nationalities, varied races, and different language groups in one place at one time is like an appetizer for the taste of heaven to come.
Moving from National to International means that “everyone is here.” WOW! What a call! What a privilege! What a task. Let’s do all we can to help get “everyone … there.”
Warren Reeve
MICN Starter
