Monologue #10: LESSONS FROM FOREIGN MISSIONS FOR HOME MISSIONS (02/11/17)

Foreign missions: The enterprise of bringing the Gospel to all the nations of the earth with the goal of making followers of the King-Savior Jesus. That’s the very heart of what is commonly known as “The Great Commission: All authority in heaven and on earth is given to me, says the resurrected Jesus Christ just before his coronation – his ascension to sit at the right hand of the Father. Therefore, go, and make disciples of all nations – baptizing them into the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe – to keep, to do – all that I have commanded you. And lo” – never forget this – always keep it in mind – I am with you always, even to the end of the age – the Gospel age.

This command and this promise have driven Christians and the Christian Church to be about the work of missions – bringing the Gospel to all people regardless of race, color, ethnic origin or cultural tradition.

The Protestant Reformation brought with it a fresh emphasis on going to the world – not with a Christianity blended with worldly culture – but with the pure Gospel of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone – all made known in the Holy Scriptures alone – and perfectly. It ought to be the great object of our daily wishes, wrote the great Protestant Reformer John Calvin, that God would collect churches for himself from all countries of the earth, that he would enlarge their numbers, enrich them with gifts, and establish a legitimate order among them.

The 19th century brought an explosion of foreign-missions interest and service, beginning with revivals in colleges, universities (many of which were Christian institutions), and seminaries. That story – with its many missionary heroes – is utterly fascinating. We should study that story and be inspired by it.

In the United States in the latter part of the 19th century, as a result of mass immigration, ethnic communities developed, especially in big cities like New York. Italians, Irish, Greeks, Jews, Chinese, and many other “people groups” formed; but they were largely confined to specific areas – ethnic enclaves or, in the worst case, ghettoes. Most were deeply religious; many were practicing Christianity in some form.

How things have changed a century and a half later! For many reasons we have become a nation (and – increasingly – a world) of greater ethnic diversity and interchange. Even in more rural areas of the United States there are now more than the expected Chinese, Mexican, and Italian restaurants. Thai and Korean and African and Caribbean and Indian and South American cuisine abounds – and, with the food and drink we get to know the no-longer foreign owners and workers who host and serve us. It’s now not at all uncommon to have neighbors who are from other countries – and other cultures. Schools, particularly in large urban areas, have become expressions of world geography and sociology. And each of our nation’s big cities has become a mini-United Nations. In New York city alone nearly 40% of the population is composed of immigrants from foreign nations. They speak nearly 800 languages – making metropolitan New York the most linguistically diverse area in the world. And they bring with them hundreds of religious beliefs, traditions, and practices that are very different than anything within the orbit of historic Christianity.

Now combine this with the growing secularism of our own culture; the stunning decline in the influence of historic Christianity and the Church; and our nation’s rapid adoption of principles and practices that are, in many cases, overtly hostile to the principles and practices of those who remain committed to historic Christianity. Isn’t it true that, as Americans committed to follow Christ faithfully, we increasingly find ourselves feeling like foreigners in a strange land?

What is this picture?
It’s a picture of Christians (and churches) that have become foreign mission agents in their own homeland. That may be fearful to some; but – when you really think about it – this is a grand opportunity for the Kingdom of God. Missionaries will still go to foreign fields; but the foreign fields have come to us – making us all missionaries right here at home. We need to start asking what that means, and how we can seize the opportunity and do our part of the Great Commission right in our neighborhoods.

Our topic on today’s Visit to the Pastor’s Study is “Lessons from Foreign Missions for Home Missions” – and we have just the person to get us thinking about something we’ll all be working on in the years ahead.

After serving a thriving multi-national congregation outside of Washington, DC for thirteen years, Rev. Al Tricarico accepted a call to serve as a foreign missionary among the Karamajong people in northern Uganda. He and his family served there – and learned many lessons – over their eleven years in Karamaoja. Now Pastor Al serves as the Associate General Secretary of Home Missions for the Orthodox Presbyterian Church. He’s our guest today on A Visit to the Pastor’s Study – and we have a lot to talk about…