Organizations rely on a variety of tools to help maintain focus. Truth be told, I can’t remember any of the vision or mission statements created by the various companies and organizations I’ve worked for over the years. Most likely a failure on my part, given the substantial resources poured into the creation and selection of these things. Focus is important. There are many things a group of people can do or accomplish, but without a clear focus, that potential will be dissipated and lost in a variety of endeavors which may or may not come to fruition and, even if they do, may not result in what the group of people gathered together to do in the first place.
Working with church partners has a focus as well. These tend to shift and change as leadership changes in our own organization, as they are to varying degrees reflections of leadership styles and preferences. In our case, most of these shifts don’t result in massive changes. After all, the Church exists to make disciples and raise them to maturity in the faith, a la the Great Commission at the end of Matthew 28. Certainly it’s possible for a church to lose focus or change focus, but our church by and large is pretty on target about the Biblical mandates for our existence. I’m grateful for that!
Currently the vision focus for OIM is threefold. These were introduced a year or two ago as pillars, but language is evolving to think of them as keystones. All three are necessary to the stability of the whole, whereas with pillars, I suppose if one pillar collapsed the other two could conceivably still stand and function and bear the weight of the organization.
Our three keystones are sharing the Gospel, planting Lutheran churches, and showing mercy. In Asia, much of this work is done by local partner church bodies, and the role of our organization is to support and assist them towards those ends. Partners may choose to do things that fall outside these three very broad parameters, but our support will be aimed towards their efforts that align with our keystones.
The way OIM conceives of these keystones, Lutheran churches are the central piece, arguably the cornerstone, or the greatest of the three keystones. In other words, if efforts in sharing the Gospel and showing mercy don’t result in Lutheran churches being planted and supported, OIM is not as likely to want to be involved. The parish is conceived of as the center from which these other two efforts of sharing the Gospel and showing mercy emanate. They’re interrelated, of course, as showing mercy can result in opportunities to plant a new church. And sharing the Gospel is certainly something that is done within a Lutheran church as well as before and after it.
All of this focuses us on several realities. We are the Church, but more specifically we are Lutherans. Our interest is naturally in sharing our Biblical theology in such a way that churches are created that embrace and propagate that theology. It would be odd if we didn’t care what kind of churches were planted! Methodists plant Methodist churches. Catholics plant Catholic churches. And Lutherans plant Lutheran churches. The necessity of emphasizing this common-sense reality is readily evident as we watch large swaths of Christendom wander astray into false theology, or lose their focus to become enmeshed in other efforts which, however worthy, are not the primary purpose of the Church as stated in the Great Commission.
We want to help our partner churches in these key areas. They know best how to do these things, and we can bring resources to bear to assist them – theological education, deaconess trainings, grant monies and prayer. We can walk alongside them as they fulfill the Great Commission.
All the efforts of OIM worldwide should be oriented towards these three broad keystones. Particular efforts may look different from place to place as culture and other realities necessitate. But at the end of the day whatever is being done ought to be defensible within the framework of our three keystones of sharing the Gospel, planting Lutheran churches and showing mercy.
My work in particular through theological education and pastoral and diaconal mentoring works to equip pastors and deaconesses and other church leaders to be faithful in their proclamation of the Gospel and interpretation of Scripture. They can then go out and share the Gospel faithfully, plant Lutheran churches that continue to preach the Gospel and apply the Law appropriately, and become centers where mercy flows out as members learn what it means to love their neighbors and even their enemies. To accomplish this, my work specifically entails weeks of travel every month over thousands of miles of ocean and islands.
Please continue prayers for the work of OIM around the world to accomplish these keystones for the glory of God and the furthering of his Kingdom!
The Nelson Family Indonesia 