An Extravagance You Cannot Live Without…
A few weeks ago, on a lovely Saturday morning, I sat down in the kitchen to read the newspaper with a second cup of coffee. It was a fine way, I reckoned, to unwind after a very busy week. But … (read more)
Together in Prayer
Articles published in the monthly Together in Prayer newsletter.
June Shortages Less than in Previous Months.
The payroll calculations for the month of June are complete. During the month we fell short of the necessary amount to pay full allowances, however this month we were only $16,450 short. It is still a significant amount but it … (read more)
A Call to Pray
Our General Fund is a catch all. It is used to pay for purely administrative costs ? postage stamps and light bills and the like. But it is also used to supplement individual missionary allowances, housing, and insurance and pension … (read more)
Persistence in Prayer!
I am learning something about persistence – and in particular, persistence in prayer. An interesting New Testament word stands behind the concept. Proskartereo may be translated “to persist,” or sometimes “to be devoted to” or “to focus on.” We find … (read more)
May Allowances Well Short of Target Allowance
During the month of May we fell $42,400 short of what was needed to pay full allowances to everyone. We transferred $25,735 from estate funds to bring the minimum allowance up to 65%. Thirty-two missionary units received 65% of targeted … (read more)
Thrivent’s Giving Plus?
I would like to take a moment this month to remind you of WMPL’s participation in Thrivent’s GivingPlus program. Giving Plus GivingPlus gives Thrivent members the opportunity to supplement their donations to the Prayer League. Here is how the program works. When … (read more)
The Age of Christian Missions
Not long ago, a pastor announced to one of our missionaries: “The age of Christian missions is past.” When I heard of the encounter, I almost dropped my jaw. Nothing could be farther from the truth. In fairness, our pastor … (read more)
What Ever Became of Mission?
As I mentioned last month, I have been reading 2 Corinthians once again recently. (Actually, we have been reading the book together at our headquarters in Minneapolis.) In a single verse in chapter nine, I came upon an edgy description … (read more)
Donuts are Optional
I have been reading 2 Corinthians once again. In chapter nine, I came across a verse that seems to encapsulate, in a strange way, one of the great and most significant challenges before the modern church. I am thinking of … (read more)
Still Standing Around?
“Why are you standing around all day?” (Matthew 20:6, Peterson). I have recently revisited a familiar story from the New Testament. It is often called “The Parable of the Householder.” But really it is a story about mission. Just following … (read more)