The mobilization director at South America Mission recently gave me a "to do" list. This, of course, was at my request, since we're not even appointed and won't be until the end of June (and even that contingent on approval). Anyway, I've been busy. First of all, he recommended an online theological program called Dimensions of the Faith through Gordon Conwell. It basically is the lectures for ten standard seminary courses- free, online, and not for credit. So far I have completed four of them. The first one was my favorite- How to Study the Bible for All Its Worth with Dr. Gordon Fee. It's based on a book he wrote, which I have since bought and would definitely recommend.

He also recommended a list of books, most of which I have never heard of. A whole new niche of Christian literature! Missions! I was pretty shocked (and excited) by my total ignorance of the field. I started at the top of the list with The Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren. That one I have heard of. You might have too, because the same guy wrote an explosively popular book recently called The Purpose Driven Life. In my arrogance I have avoided it at all costs. Well I was skeptical, to say the least, but I have been duly humbled. It is fascinating, down-to-earth, and provocative. I have been wearing out Tim's ears with my mental digestion.

My biggest question (half way through the book) regards the purpose of my own church, King of Kings. I could easily explain the expressed purpose of the church, but I want to see the season where that becomes the manifest purpose as well, where it's clear to everyone around what our purpose is- without reading it on the church newsletter. I know that if I were staying in Charlotte I would want to be part of working toward that, but I feel like my energies need to be focused right now on my transition from Charlotte. So at the end of my pondering aloud to Tim last night, all that remained for us to do was to pray. And we did.

As for the rest of my list, I don't know more than to start at the top and go down the list. Here it is, if you're interested. Maybe you're more familiar with them than I am:

The Church of Irrisistible Influence, Lewis

The New Global Mission, Escobar

Discipling Nations, D. Miller

If Jesus Were Mayor, Moffitt

Mission as Transformation, Samuel & Sugden, eds.

Cross-Cultural Servanthood, D. Elmer

Ministering Cross-Culturally, Lingenfelter & Mayers

L.A.M.P. (Language Acquisition Made Practical)

Foundations of the Christian Faith, Boice

Know the Truth, Bruce Milne

Run With the Horses, E. Peterson

Hearing God, Dallas Willard