The traditional view of missions has been one of outreach to
foreign nations with the objective being introduction of the truth of the
Gospel and a revelation of the love of God through the efforts and sacrifice of
the missionaries. There is no doubt of the validity of this view. Foreign
missions have proven to be an effective outreach to many cultures that were
steeped in pagan belief and superstition to the degree that those cultures are
now sending their missionaries to us, and for good reason. The moral fiber of
American culture has become frayed and tattered to the point that secular
leadership is now declaring that we are no longer a “Christian nation.”
Unfortunately, many of our fellow Americans are embracing this declaration as a
means of justifying decadent behavior, declaring traditional views of morality
as an obsolete concept.
These developments would suggest the need to rethink the
traditionally accepted roles of missionaries to include a
response to the emerging needs of our own American society. The traditional
roles of missionaries being envoys to foreign countries and chaplains being
trained and endorsed for specific areas of need remain the foundation of the
outreach of the Diocese of Missions and Chaplaincy.
A new aspect has been added to respond to the shifting
societal views of morality. All Christians are admonished to share the Gospel,
to walk out their belief in their daily life. Many do, but a need exists for missionaries
to our own society; men and women willing to dedicate themselves to the
re-establishment of Biblical moral principles despite the mounting rejection
of Christian thought being expressed in the media, the government mandates for
the exclusion of the mention of God, and the general secularization of society
reflected in the disregard for human life and overt sexual promiscuity.
There are Christians of the opinion that it’s time for the
church to come in line with the “new morality.” Their perspective is one of
moral relativism; if enough people are doing it, it must be alright.
Our nation has lost the sense of propriety and shame. Few
forms of perversion are “off limits” and if a Christian mentions a Biblical
admonition against the “lifestyle” or “preference”, that Christian is labeled a
“phobe” of some kind.
The time has come for the church to take a stand. As Edmund
Burke is purported to have said…”All that is necessary for evil to triumph is
for good men to do nothing.” The church can no longer stand by and do nothing.
