My week has come to end and I am able to take a few moments to give another report on my week in Albania. By the way, I have gotten my film developed and I will be placing a photo page on line soon for everyone to view. I hope to be able to do that in the next couple of days.
Perhaps the most exciting and surprising discovery for me while I was in Albania was the maturity of the believers and the church there in Shkoder. I went with a very arrogant American mindset. I thought because we as Americans have open access to countless Biblical resources and because of our rich Christian heritage, we would undoubtedly have a better understanding of scripture and of Biblical ministry than they. I was wrong. I was shocked at the maturity that God has nurtured in the lives of His church there in Shkoder.
Personally I believe that the primary method of the spread of the Gospel is through the faithfulness of His children living holy, righteous and loving lives in this world of unbelievers. The Gospel is not only spoken, but it is on display in the lives of God’s chosen. And the force that drives Gospel living in a believer is love for the sinners and a love for the spread of the glory of God around the world. Because of the nature of the Gospel, I believe that the most effective and biblical method of evangelism and discipleship is through relationships. Relational ministry allows believers to live lives of hope and worship for before the world. Unfortunately, most of the American Christianity (at least the Christianity that I am familiar with) evangelizes by door-to-door evangelism or handing out tracts. I do believe that God can use that kind of methodology and He has used it, but I do not believe that it is God preferred method of giving the Gospel. Additionally, I see Sunday schools and one night Bible studies as being the extent of discipleship in most American churches. Very few people are transparent enough or selfless enough to put their own ambitions and self-righteousness aside to personally open up and involve themselves in other people?s lives. True discipleship takes place as the members of the body of Christ are fitly joined. And the Gospel is central in our identification as individuals and in our relationship to others.
Why have I said all this when I am supposed to be giving a report of my time in Albania? Simply because the church in Shkoder has not only discovered this for themselves through their study of God’s word, but they have implemented it and it is a vital part of their ministry. They expressed to me and I observed how this way of thinking must be of top priority in their lives and in their church. I went to help build a church building, but, instead, was built up through the zeal and strength in the maturity of these believers.
As side note, I praise God that he has placed me in a church with the same philosophy of ministry and desire for the supremacy of God. We have still have so far to go as a church and I have so far to go as an individual, but God in His grace is building His church also in Moore, SC. God is faithful to His cause and to His purpose.
I was so excited to see the work that God was doing on the other side of the world. It was exciting to see what God has done through His word, His submitted servants and His Spirit. I was challenged and rebuked by the maturity of the church in Shkoder, but I am rejoicing that the purpose of God is being accomplished; and that people from every tribe, tongue and nation are being drawn to the truth through the work of Jesus Christ.
I will share more as God gives me opportunity. Hopefully, I will have my pictures up by my next post.
this is “grace at work.”
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