[For the purposes of this article, I use the term “missionary” to denote those who live cross-culturally and work in “formal” Christian ministry.] Having just returned from a symposium on Missionary Care, the needs of missionaries are strongly on my mind. Some of them are obvious: prayer, partnership, support. But I’m finding that what […]
[Before you attack me too, please realize that this isn’t about the “case”—it’s about our response.] UPDATE: Aug. 28, 2016 With the release of Ashley Madison’s hacked data, sickening evidence that Josh Duggar used the site to cheat on his wife has come to light. Now that we know that his youthful mistakes (crimes) have […]
You may have read my most recent article, “Six Permissions Most MKs Need.” This is a companion piece, one that recognizes the different needs of adults in ministry. Extending these permissions might reduce the pressure that becomes toxic to missionaries. Sometimes that pressure is self-inflicted—derived from the unachievable standards they levy on themselves. And […]
Permission. The word kept coming up as I interacted with MKs and their parents during a recent trip overseas. In a subculture saturated with expectations and obligations, it seemed a restorative term. The following six permissions are crucial to raising a generation of MKs unhobbled by the demands of adults who may […]
It’s been said that a picture paints a thousand words, so in a change from my usual posts, here’s one that’s entirely photographic. My recent ministry trip took me to Spain, Germany, France, Romania and Italy. I experienced amazing encounters with hundreds of MKs and missionaries (see future posts) and was fortunate to see stunning […]
“One of my favorite moments in Star Trek is when Captain Kirk looks over the cosmos and says, ‘Somewhere out there, someone is saying the three most beautiful words in any language.’ Of course, your heart sinks and you think it’s going to be, ‘I love you’ or whatever. He says, ‘Please help me.’ What […]
I met Julia in the Dallas airport. I was seated in a crowded Chili’s, trying to time the number of bites it would take me to finish my burger with the minutes remaining before the boarding call. She was one of those skilled waitresses who managed to be personable while harried. She asked me what […]
I get it. Fifty Shades of Grey is a quasi-pornographic movie. I’ve read the links saturating my feed, and I agree that the movie glamorizes and normalizes demeaning/dangerous activity, perpetuates stereotypes and demolishes too many moral and behavioral standards to list here. I support those who stand against it. Without diluting any of the […]
The Secretary of State, on that Friday in March 2009, did what many TCKs do on a regular basis when transplanting from one culture to another. I call it UCI: Unintentional Cultural Irrelevance. All the details were right…for an American audience: Hillary Clinton’s light tone of voice, her engaging smile, her self-deprecation and the orange-and-yellow […]
Yesterday in Niger: five people died in protests following Charlie Hebdo’s most recent cover featuring Mohammed. More unrest is expected today. ~~~~~~ Let me be very clear at the beginning of an article that will likely be misinterpreted by the grieving and incensed: I am in no way adding a “but” to the notion of […]