In the Name of “Mission Work” book about CAM/Mast

[silentreader]

As much as the call to repent opposes sinfulness, it also promotes holiness. It’s not simply a matter of what God is against, but also what He is for. It’s not a message that only confronts, but also one that promises. It’s not all about God’s wrath, but it is fueled by His grace. Paul argues in Romans 2:4 that the kindness of the Lord is meant to lead sinners to repentance. If God shows kindness in order to compel sinners to turn from sin, then “repent” must be a word of benevolence, not malice. When we hear the call to repent, we should receive it with gratitude. God is extending grace in His offer to turn from destructive sin and return to Him. When we proclaim the message of repentance, we must be careful to communicate the same compassion that our Savior had for sinners. Nobody is ever browbeaten into a genuine forsaking of sinful desires. Let “repent” be a revered and solemn call, yet one that extends the welcoming arms of a waiting Savior. ~~~Jeremy Peters

[Neto]

As much as the call to repent opposes sinfulness, it also promotes holiness. It’s not simply a matter of what God is against, but also what He is for. It’s not a message that only confronts, but also one that promises. It’s not all about God’s wrath, but it is fueled by His grace. Paul argues in Romans 2:4 that the kindness of the Lord is meant to lead sinners to repentance. If God shows kindness in order to compel sinners to turn from sin, then “repent” must be a word of benevolence, not malice. When we hear the call to repent, we should receive it with gratitude. God is extending grace in His offer to turn from destructive sin and return to Him. When we proclaim the message of repentance, we must be careful to communicate the same compassion that our Savior had for sinners. Nobody is ever browbeaten into a genuine forsaking of sinful desires. Let “repent” be a revered and solemn call, yet one that extends the welcoming arms of a waiting Savior. ~~~Jeremy Peters

We've been having SS lessons recently that touch on the doctrine of the atonement, and so it's been on my mind quite a bit otherwise as well. I've also been thinking about how confrontation and conviction of sin is an invitation to return to God, an invitation to a relationship. A personal relationship. I think that even God's 'judgements" against Adam and Eve were an invitation to repent as a doorway to a restored relationship. But they bungled it, choosing to blame others (even to blame God himself) instead of repenting, and too often we do the same.

[ken_sylvania]

Unfortunately I don't think this book will have much impact on CAM or the way it operates. I have family who donates to CAM (still, even after this).

I said basically the same thing a couple pages back, but not for the same reasons you give. I'm glad the book doesn't take as cynical and bitter a tack as your post; it would certainly harm the book's potential impact if it did. I still donate to CAM, and it's not because I think they are a perfect organization.

I think 1 Timothy is saying that you donate to CAM because it makes you feel good about yourself quickly, you get a tax write-off, and then you can go back to running your business and making money......

[mike]

Unfortunately I don't think this book will have much impact on CAM or the way it operates. I have family who donates to CAM (still, even after this).

I said basically the same thing a couple pages back, but not for the same reasons you give. I'm glad the book doesn't take as cynical and bitter a tack as your post; it would certainly harm the book's potential impact if it did. I still donate to CAM, and it's not because I think they are a perfect organization.

I think 1 Timothy is saying that you donate to CAM because it makes you feel good about yourself quickly, you get a tax write-off, and then you can go back to running your business and making money......

I do feel better about myself when I give, I do get a tax write-off, and I do run a business and make money. So that makes me a bad person?

[ken_sylvania]

I said basically the same thing a couple pages back, but not for the same reasons you give. I'm glad the book doesn't take as cynical and bitter a tack as your post; it would certainly harm the book's potential impact if it did. I still donate to CAM, and it's not because I think they are a perfect organization.

I think 1 Timothy is saying that you donate to CAM because it makes you feel good about yourself quickly, you get a tax write-off, and then you can go back to running your business and making money......

I do feel better about myself when I give, I do get a tax write-off, and I do run a business and make money. So that makes me a bad person?

I think that is the insinuation.

[flyingnorm]

I think 1 Timothy is saying that you donate to CAM because it makes you feel good about yourself quickly, you get a tax write-off, and then you can go back to running your business and making money......

I do feel better about myself when I give, I do get a tax write-off, and I do run a business and make money. So that makes me a bad person?

I think that is the insinuation.

I don’t think that is the insinuation. I think 1Timothy is saying that most donors feel distant from the abuse situation and have a list of personal priorities that outrank the issues at CAM. I sure do. I have my own issues.

[ken_sylvania]

I do feel better about myself when I give, I do get a tax write-off, and I do run a business and make money. So that makes me a bad person?

I think that is the insinuation.

I don’t think that is the insinuation. I think 1Timothy is saying that most donors feel distant from the abuse situation and have a list of personal priorities that outrank the issues at CAM. I sure do. I have my own issues.

Perhaps I'm taking it wrong.

[I Timothy]

I said basically the same thing a couple pages back, but not for the same reasons you give. I'm glad the book doesn't take as cynical and bitter a tack as your post; it would certainly harm the book's potential impact if it did. I still donate to CAM, and it's not because I think they are a perfect organization.

I think 1 Timothy is saying that you donate to CAM because it makes you feel good about yourself quickly, you get a tax write-off, and then you can go back to running your business and making money......

I do feel better about myself when I give, I do get a tax write-off, and I do run a business and make money. So that makes me a bad person?

That is not what I said, it is all a matter of priorities. Making money is ok, taking the tax deduction is ok. But making policy and strategic decisions for Haitians? Haitians are in the best position to put Haitian priorities first. Why isn't there Haitians on the CAM board or executive team? There are Haitians who are trained, talented, educated, qualified and live Godly lives. Would we allow Haitians to run our schools, make church policy decisions
or control our food supply? Of course we wouldn't.

Yet I am supposed to believe that a bunch of CA businessmen are in the best position provide direction and priorities for Haitians? The priorities listed in this book are completely different than the priorities of businessmen in CA communities. CAM wants this scandal to disappear while Haitians would like dignity.

[I Timothy]

Unfortunately I don't think this book will have much impact on CAM or the way it operates. I have family who donates to CAM (still, even after this). Let's be honest about the priorities of typical CAM donors:

1) Running a small business
2) Making a profit in their small business
3) Finding low cost labor to run their small business
4) Minimizing the taxes from their small business
5) Marketing their small businesses with a wholesome image
6) Turning their small business over to their children through planning
7) Making sure their inputs are delivered on time and under budget
8) Making sure their products are delivered on time and at top price
9) Building a church with minimal cost
10) Time with family
11) Educating their youth with minimal costs
12) Finding cheap transportation
13) Finding cheap healthcare
14) Making sure their own children don't know about their sexual sins
.....
99) Ensuring CAM does the proper thing

CA church leaders, community leaders and business leaders have many more pressing issues than what happened to the poor in Haiti. Small business management is all encompassing and doesn't leave much time or resources for something trivial like JM. Most CA like CAM because it makes them feel good about themselves quickly, they get to bundle old clothes while getting a tax write off. Who would want to disrupt this convenient system? The truth about CAM and what is happening in Haiti is the least of their life concerns. It's not on their daily radar, they want to read a feel good story about a missionary and then move on to their real business of making money.

To even think of investigating CAM or bringing in Grace is a threat to the entire CA system, not just to CAM. The CAM board members see the big picture and are intent on protecting it at all cost. JM is a product of the CA system, he didn't grow up on an island and then suddenly go rouge.

Wow, there are no words for a vitriolic post as this one.

One has to wonder if 1 Timothy and Don'tperish are one and the same.

I was at a Mennonite Bible school 25 years ago when I was stunned to learned about the amount of sex abuse in the CA church (25% of the girls said they were abused within the CA community). The church and it's leaders have had a long time to solve this problem. CAM has had 3 years to clear this up, actually even longer. CAM and the CA community deserves a lot of vitriol for what they have allowed to happen. This is not the way of Jesus.

25 years ago sex abuse allegations came out about the Catholic church. The Catholic church in Michigan came up with a plan and implemented it. In the last 20 years in Michigan they have had a total of 2 new credible allegations that occurred since 2002. The Catholic church partnered with law enforcement and made sex abuse training mandatory on all levels (priest, chaperon, teacher, etc) The church leaders in the CA community have failed to protect their youth and now to protect others.

[TruthSeeker]

Yet I am supposed to believe that a bunch of CA businessmen are in the best position provide direction and priorities for Haitians? The priorities listed in this book are completely different than the priorities of businessmen in CA communities. CAM wants this scandal to disappear while Haitians would like dignity.

It's been my observation that the less suited and/or equipped a group (CAM or other) is to "provide direction and priorities" for those they posture to serve, the more likely that group is to see those to whom they reach out as "projects." Consequently, the huge power differential is accentuated, widening the gap in which exploitation can occur versus closing it.