Suffering: An Effective Motivator for Missions?

This last Sunday I had the opportunity to represent the AWM at a missions conference sponsored by the DMG or Deutsche Mission Gesellschaft (German Mission Society) at their headquarters about an hour north of Korntal. What intrigued me most about this conference (among other things) was its theme. Most missions conferences that I have attended have chosen themes that attempt to put the task of world missions in a "positive" or optimistic light: like, for example, "Reaching the Unreached" etc. The theme for the DMG conference was somewhat more sober. For this year they chose: "Suffering for the sake of Christ."

This theme was illustrated during the plenary sessions. In the morning meeting, missionaries from various fields were introduced, and where appropriate, were asked to share incidents where suffering and persecution have accompanied mission work and the life of the church in that country. The range was from dealing with social pressure to violent opposition and even martyrdom. The sermon developed the theme theologically.

Are we sometimes not realistic enough about missions and about what it is to be a Christian. Is not suffering a key concern in the New Testament as seen in one of Jesus' most famous sayings ("If anyone wants to follow me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me"--Mark 8:34) as well as in lesser known sayings like this one of Paul recorded in Acts 14:22: "it is necessary for us to enter into the kingdom of God through many tribulations."

Is the DMG on to something in its theme? Have we glamorized missions too much? Is there also a danger of sensationalizing Christian suffering? What are your thoughts?

Comments

[Linda]

Keeping you all in our prayers - for your safety and care and above all your deepening knowledge of God. Blessings, friends! We miss you!

[titto]

nice blog.well i am titto a pioneer missionary in one of the unreached villages in cambodia .do pray for us
with love titto