Making a Difference

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Making a difference.

11 March 2007

How may pessimistic discussions have you had this week? It is quite easy to start one. Think of tax, transport, corruption, law, business, bureaucracy. Take any country you know. And then ask, can anyone make a difference?

Our brothers and sisters in the Anglican Church in Indonesia have made their theme for this year, “Making a Difference”. But what does it mean? – in English. Or how would you translate it into Indonesian? It is one of those phrases that we understand but have difficulty explaining. It might mean to make something else different as a result of our actions. It implies making something better. But it also has an emphasis on the “making” – actually doing something positive and energetic so that a different state of affairs results.

That is one reason some All Saints people involve themselves in Outreach projects. It is a reason that many expats want to help with social welfare programs.

But we Christians have enormous power to make a different kind of difference. It is no wonder that we set a high priority in our Outreach contributions to the training of Christian leaders, and to the proclamation of the good news from Jesus. We who are foreigners have an amazing opportunity to assist the Christians and churches of Indonesia. This is not because we are foreign experts (we are actually mostly ignorant foreigners when it comes to indigenous church and theology). It is because we have passion and resources.

And we have a mind set that makes us different from other foreigners, because it is informed by the gospel. I believe we need to regularly clean our glasses and see how we can best serve the gospel in the place where are staying. Can we make a difference to the Indonesian church by supporting crucial ministries? In particular now that we have a local Anglican church springing up around us, can we support and help them in more strategic ways?

I have just spent three days working with the three Indonesian Anglican clergy in a translation team. I want you to know how fine a group they are, and what energy and passion they bring to their ministries. They are being used to build a strong church, often in the face of great difficulties and opposition. And we, who are like a big brother to them, have the opportunity to join them as fellow workers, to partner with them in fellowship in a common cause.

We can actually do something positive and energetic so that a different state of affairs results for the larger church we are part of.

Dale

Comments

Actually I'm a new comer in All Saints, but I would like to be involved more in this church. I'm interested with this title 'Making Difference', moreover in the part of "We who are foreigners have an amazing opportunity to assist the Christians and churches of Indonesia. This is not because we are foreign experts (we are actually mostly ignorant foreigners when it comes to indigenous church and theology)."
Actually I'm not a foreigner, I'm a native. I came from a church in Manado (North Sulawesi). In my opinion, it would be very nice if All Saints can work together side by side with the other Indonesian churches in sharing Gospel in Indonesia. As an Indonesian, I know that many Indonesian Christian would like to accept All Saints' kind assistance. It's not just because you are a foreigner, but because you are brothers and sisters in Christ. You can help with a wider vision, like the bible says 'two are better than one', therefore if we can work together to share God's love, it would be more effective than working alone with a high denomination walls around us.
With working together, we can make not just a difference, but many differences, so people around us can see the light of Christ.
I think it's all that I could share in this blog. I'm so sorry if my English is not too good. God bless you all!
Posted by Lidia on Friday, March 9, 2007 at 06:04:09