The Practical Missions Podcast
Pod #63 The Good And Bad Of Being On The Field Long-Term
I think the longer you stay out on the field, the lonelier it gets
Today on the pod, your host gets interviewed by his guest. It was very humbling to be on the other side of the microphone and be challenged to think with many good questions. We talked about the challenge of multiple expectations from different directions on the cross-cultural worker, as well as loneliness, turnover, the danger of chasing fads, and much more.
Timeline
- 00:00 Intro
- 01:08 Challenging expectations
- 07:00 Chasing fads
- 11:41 The Western church and our methods
- 15:05 Motivating passion for missions
- 19:25 Dangers of being on the field too long
- 27:21 Dealing with cynicism
- 30:09 Getting out of your comfort zone
- 33:49 Turnover and trauma
- 40:23 How the field changes you
- 50:35 Advice you would give your younger self
- 54:50 A single gives advice to marrieds
- 58:12 The future of missions
- 1:04:19 Called, gifted, enjoyment
More Quotes
I don’t care how much tangible fruit I have, I care about being faithful. The numbers are in God’s control.
I’m fine with small numbers.
Missions is slow, messy, two steps backward and one step forward.
If we pray and it gets answered, we think, “Oh, what did I do in that prayer? Why was that one answered? Was it the position? Maybe I was lying prostrate? Or maybe I quoted scripture…ok, I need to quote more scripture.” Human nature tries to make a formula or structure for whatever works.
Am I going to be hanging out with men in their 20s forever?
I’m so much more effective in my own language. I’m so much more intuitive in my own culture. Why am I out here? Last night we gathered together to read God’s Word, and I had to practice read the text. I don’t have to practice read the text in English.
I am more gentle when I share the Gospel than I was before. I was much more combative ten years ago than I am today. I’m much more willing to listen. I’m much more willing to let my Muslim friend smell the rose of the Gospel rather than banging him on the head with it.
It’s hard not to love someone when you’re sitting next to them, praying for them.
It’s not easy to invest in people, get close to them, and then they leave.
Turnover is harder for singles, but it’s also hard for married people.
I think the longer you stay out on the field, the lonelier it gets.
Your world will expand in your new context only as fast as your language does.
Sacrifice more now so you can enjoy more later.
Seek humility at all costs.
There has to be an ever-increasing willingness to suffer
When you’re called, gifted, and enjoy it, you’re willing to stay forever.
Listen on: Apple Podcast | Spotify
I’m so much more effective in my own language. I’m so much more intuitive in my own culture. Why am I out here? Last night we gathered together to read God’s Word, and I had to practice read the text. I don’t have to practice read the text in English.
Pod #63 The Good And Bad Of Being On The Field Long-Term
I think the longer you stay out on the field, the lonelier it gets
Today on the pod, your host gets interviewed by his guest. It was very humbling to be on the other side of the microphone and be challenged to think with many good questions. We talked about the challenge of multiple expectations from different directions on the cross-cultural worker, as well as loneliness, turnover, the danger of chasing fads, and much more.
I’m so much more effective in my own language. I’m so much more intuitive in my own culture. Why am I out here? Last night we gathered together to read God’s Word, and I had to practice read the text. I don’t have to practice read the text in English.
Listen on: Apple Podcast | Spotify
Timeline
- 00:00 Intro
- 01:08 Challenging expectations
- 07:00 Chasing fads
- 11:41 The Western church and our methods
- 15:05 Motivating passion for missions
- 19:25 Dangers of being on the field too long
- 27:21 Dealing with cynicism
- 30:09 Getting out of your comfort zone
- 33:49 Turnover and trauma
- 40:23 How the field changes you
- 50:35 Advice you would give your younger self
- 54:50 A single gives advice to marrieds
- 58:12 The future of missions
- 1:04:19 Called, gifted, enjoyment
More Quotes
I don’t care how much tangible fruit I have, I care about being faithful. The numbers are in God’s control.
I’m fine with small numbers.
Missions is slow, messy, two steps backward and one step forward.
If we pray and it gets answered, we think, “Oh, what did I do in that prayer? Why was that one answered? Was it the position? Maybe I was lying prostrate? Or maybe I quoted scripture…ok, I need to quote more scripture.” Human nature tries to make a formula or structure for whatever works.
Am I going to be hanging out with men in their 20s forever?
I’m so much more effective in my own language. I’m so much more intuitive in my own culture. Why am I out here? Last night we gathered together to read God’s Word, and I had to practice read the text. I don’t have to practice read the text in English.
I am more gentle when I share the Gospel than I was before. I was much more combative ten years ago than I am today. I’m much more willing to listen. I’m much more willing to let my Muslim friend smell the rose of the Gospel rather than banging him on the head with it.
It’s hard not to love someone when you’re sitting next to them, praying for them.
It’s not easy to invest in people, get close to them, and then they leave.
Turnover is harder for singles, but it’s also hard for married people.
I think the longer you stay out on the field, the lonelier it gets.
Your world will expand in your new context only as fast as your language does.
Sacrifice more now so you can enjoy more later.
Seek humility at all costs.
There has to be an ever-increasing willingness to suffer
When you’re called, gifted, and enjoy it, you’re willing to stay forever.
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