January 2022
EASY ACCESS TO MY NEWEST VIDEOS! -- ¡ACCESO FÁCIL A MIS NUEVOS VIDEOS!
CROSS-POLLINATING ENABLES EFFECTIVE MISSION WORK
Pollination is the process that allows plants to reproduce. In some cases, the wind and rain blow pollen between plants. Plants also rely on bees and other insects to make this happen.
The concept of "cross-pollination" is used to describe a process of exposing people to new ways of thinking by sharing knowledge, combining insights--blending and intermingling different ways of thinking to understand new, creative, innovative ways forward.
In every moment of our lives, we are involved in receiving and giving. Every time we encounter a new situation, a new gathering, a new relationship-new possibilities are opened up for giving and receiving. Christians must understand how God grows the kingdom. The kingdom grows through giving and receiving.
GIVING. I constantly ask myself, what am I to deposit in this situation? What am I to share, what am I to leave? What influence, information, ideas am I to share? What can I give to others for them to take away from this moment? In ministry and mission work, what can I share that will help this church bear fruit? What will help these leaders, these Christians? What will help the gospel bear fruit here? How can the gospel take root in this heart? This is one aspect of cross-pollination.
RECEIVING. Since the kingdom grows through giving and receiving, I also ask myself, what should I receive in this place so that I can take it to another place to share it elsewhere? Cross-pollination involves two things. I am constantly receiving so that I can pass it on. I am constantly giving so that others can receive. Then they continue the process by passing it on.
What is the role of cross-pollination in effective mission work? In Latin American Leadership Development (LALD), we reinforce the value and importance of cross-pollination for the churches as part of the process of transforming the environments from which the gospel can go forth effectively. We facilitate receiving and giving. The goal is to transform rigid, repetitive, limiting contexts into positive learning environments, enabling the spread of the gospel and growth of the churches.
Cross-pollination is a botanical process where the transfer of pollen between plants enables the creation of new types of plants with different attributes. As a metaphor, it points to the power of sharing ideas in the church, sharing and interchanging ideas, thoughts, information, and knowledge for the enrichment of the local churches, drawing on multiple sources, continuous learning, growth, change, adapting for effectiveness.
The metaphor also describes the spread of the gospel and the growth of the kingdom. I think of the metaphor as a description of the work of LALD-encouraging the churches to be constantly giving, constantly receiving.
With vibrant, growing faith, and growing understanding, I am constantly depositing new ideas, new concepts, new insights, in new places and new people. I look forward to receiving, because I am better able to give exactly what is needed. I give so others can receive and pass it on. They in turn give and others are blessed by receiving, and those others are empowered to pass it on. This is the process described in 2 Timothy 2:2, the gospel going forth generation after generation. With regard to the Good News and Bible teachings, Christians are more than receptacles or storage basins. We are to be filled and overflowing, sharing the overflow.
God's mission work bears kingdom fruit, bringing people to Jesus. In the metaphor of cross-pollination, another essential point is seen. Nature does not continuously pollinate the same trees and plants. The goal is not to share the gospel and Bible teachings with those who have already received. Pollination bears new fruit.
Effective mission efforts must be committed to sharing in new places with new people. The process I am describing is impossible if you are not both receiving and giving! When one gives without receiving, the storage basin runs dry. Cross-pollination requires constantly receiving. Beware of those who talk a lot (give) but seldom listen (receive). Those who share effectively spend a great deal of time listening. A question for all, when am I taking time to receive, listen, contemplate, meditate?
The article can be downloaded at this link: Cross-Pollinating Enables Effective Mission Work
