Last year I wrote some thoughts on the future of Presbyterianism in Scotland and Australia.
David Robertson (pastor of St. Peter’s Free Church, Dundee) promptly commented, pointing out where I had no idea what I was talking about.
Here are his thoughts on ‘<strong>How (not) to be an American Missionary in Scotland‘ foreign nationals coming to carry out mission work in Scotland.
The article is insightful, non-defensive and helpful in directing thought about evangelism, whether in other cultures or in one’s own.
At mgpc we’re attempting to partner with churches in other cultures thoughtully and sensitively.
Robertson’s observations are very much in harmony with the way we’re seeking to do that.
A coupe of quotes:
“In terms of mission in Scotland we do not need any more Arminian evangelism. I do wish Reformed Christians would stop being emotionally bullied into supporting any and every work that claims to be Christian (providing it only sells itself well). I know the Lord can and does use it (I met a lovely Arminian Baptist from Alabama the other day – I am sure that the Lord will continue to use him. His grace and humility shone threw) but that does not mean that we should give into the notion that Reformed evangelism is a misnomer. There are far too many ‘Reformed’ Christians who think that we can evangelise like Arminians and then teach like Calvinists. Again the success model and the pressures thereof sometimes force us to act in that way.”
“The key to work in Scotland is for the American Presbyterians/Baptists/Pentecostals to come and partner with us. Scots must resist the temptation to think that we do not need help and we must also resist the temptation to see the American Church as some kind of cash cow – that we have to woo or sell the ‘vision to. We must also avoid any kind of cultural or spiritual superiority or snobbery (we need to take the beam out of our own eyes before the take the spec out of our brothers). Americans on the other hand must avoid seeing us as a ‘project’. And they too must avoid cultural or spiritual superiority.”
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