E-book: Pasta, pizza, and Pinocchio: Questions and answers about the Church of the Nazarene in Italy (part 8)





Italy
    Alfredo Del Rosso
    Building St. Peter's
   Christ and Mussolini
   CIA plot?
    Little baby Jesus
   Open doors
    Rookie notebook

E-books
    Bulgarian tapestry
   I have a question
    Kingdom strikes back
    Mr. Evangelism
    Our balanced attack
   Reluctant missionary
    Other writings

10/40 Window

Seeking God's will?

Mission trip fund-raising

Nazarene Missions International resources
 

Missions in Italy

A word from my heart

In this electronic book (e-book), "Pasta, pizza and Pinocchio," Howard Culbertson answers questions he has been asked about missionary work in Italy. Originally published for the Nazarene Missions International mission book series, this Nazarene Publishing House publication carried ISBN number 0-8341-0612-4. Some material has been updated for this e-book edition.

Well, these preceding chapters haven't contained all the questions I was asked during a home assignment year from August, 1978, to August, 1979. These questions to which I've given you written answers, however, cover most of the subjects.

A few times I've been asked questions regarding my own feelings about serving in a denominational structure. I'd like to respond to that kind of questioning in closing.

I am fully committed to seeing the Church of Jesus Christ fulfill its Great Commission. I'm laying my life on the line to help this Body carry out its Mandate. I understand that this will mean vulnerability, because I have put myself at the disposal of the Church, at its service.

A biblical concept of the Body of Christ says some things to us about interdependence. The freedom the Bible talks about is freedom from sin, not freedom from each other. It's not a freedom that's synonymous with an individualistic independence. Interdependence means that we place ourselves under the direction of others who will make decisions regarding our place of service, resources for ministry, strategy for the future, and financial welfare.

This, of course, is no different than working for any organization or business. The great difference is that I have chosen in response to God's call, to be a servant of the Body of Jesus Christ, and I work under its direction.

Strangely, I have discovered myself to be most free when I yield myself to a ministry of servanthood in the Body of Jesus Christ. The alternative contains far more risks for me than I am exposing myself to now.

My sincere thanks to you, my dear friends, for allowing Barbara and me (and Matthew and Rachele) to be a part of your world missionary outreach.

  Page:  << Prev    |   Introduction  |    1. The Leaning Tower, the Lira, and  Women's Lib  |    2. Italian, Illegal Drugs, and Insulated  Buildings  |    3. Fiats, Florence, and Furloughs  |    4. The Military, Missionaries, and the Mafia   |    5. Marco Polo and Ronald McDonald   |    6. The Cerratos, Alabaster Churches, and& nbsp;Work Crews   |    7. Communism, Catholicism, and the Charismatics   |    8. Sincerity, Self-support, and Sowing  the Seed  |    9. Books, Broadcasting, and the Bible College   |    10. Culture Shock and Carpeting  |   11. A Word from My Heart  


SNU missions course materials and syllabi

Cultural Anthropology    Introduction to Missions    Linguistics    Missions Strategies    Modern Missionary Movement (History of  Missions)    Nazarene Missions    Church Growth and Christian Missions    Theology of Missions    Traditional Religions    World Religions
 
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Howard Culbertson, 5901 NW 81st, Oklahoma City, OK 73132  |  Phone: 405-740-4149 - Fax: 405-491-6658

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