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Mission Journal
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In this summer's issue of Mission Journal, we have addressed topics related to
Intentionality as we engage in missions. For the last 10 years or so, programs
(or projects) related to missions have become extremely popular especially
among Korean American local churches and their church members. This desire to
participate is so common that most of Korean American local churches engage in
mission regardless of the size in their membership. As we understand it, mission
(to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to the end of the earth) is the com-
mandment all Christians should try to fulfill in the best way they know how. In
this sense, the fact that many Korean American churches and their membership
to participate in mission should be a very welcoming development.
However, one caution regarding such development is that mission has become a
fashion for local churches and their members - they engage in mission because
everyone else is doing it. What we at the Hope5L2F Foundation believe is the
fact that Mission is God-driven and we are simply participating in the work that
God is already doing.
This does not mean that we become passive in God s work of Mission. Mission
requires our utmost attention and intentionality. In this sense, an image of
Pilgrims and Wanderers gives us a good analogy. Since being in mission requires
our intentionality, it has to be a part of
the journey of a pilgrim. The entire
journey of engaging in mission cannot
be that of a wanderer. Preparation for
participating in and implementing
missions is a process that requires our
"Intentionality." Missions cannot
simply happen.
In this issue, our resident and guest
writers are providing their insights on
the theme, Mission: Pilgrims, not
Wanderers. By making a point that
engaging in missions require our
utmost intentionality, it is our hope
that local churches and their members
rethink their participation in missions
and being more intentional in their
process of planning and implementing
mission programs and projects.