We haven't got it all together and we need prayer

Global Issues in Mission is an awesome subject wildly popular at SMBC . . . not really - I'm one of four students. But it should be popular 'cos it's awesome. We read an article recently which suggested that what looks like partnership between churches in rich and poor countries is actually often an unhealthy co-dependency.1 Rich churches need the poor churches before they can feel good about themselves, and poor churches need the rich ones before they have the confidence to do anything.

The author agreed with those who say that true partnership only happens when both parties recognise their imperfection. Our class suggested one example of this would be if missionaries not only asked their rich, home church to pray for their new, poor church; but if the poor church prayed for the rich church too.

1R Reese, "Globalization and Missions"