What is your take on Collaboration?

[Nich]

Supposing that there is work, people's basic needs need to be met, is it ok to collaborate with other denominations or other religions or none religious people or all of them mixed?

All do feel and have the need to help neighbor.

Feeding hungry, providing clothing, housing...

[Woody]

Certainly we should collaborate on all possible common goals. But just because we might collaborate on some common interests in the community - does not mean that we would or should collaborate on areas where we do not agree.

Just need to use some common sense. Collaboration is not an all or nothing situation. But we should help our community in areas that fit our beliefs. We are not to isolate ourselves. But we are not to give in to the ways of the world either.

[miz3]

Certainly we should collaborate on all possible common goals. But just because we might collaborate on some common interests in the community - does not mean that we would or should collaborate on areas where we do not agree.

Just need to use some common sense. Collaboration is not an all or nothing situation. But we should help our community in areas that fit our beliefs. We are not to isolate ourselves. But we are not to give in to the ways of the world either.

[phkrause]

Originally Posted By: Woody

Certainly we should collaborate on all possible common goals. But just because we might collaborate on some common interests in the community - does not mean that we would or should collaborate on areas where we do not agree.

Just need to use some common sense. Collaboration is not an all or nothing situation. But we should help our community in areas that fit our beliefs. We are not to isolate ourselves. But we are not to give in to the ways of the world either.

[Nich]

I am for collaboration, for I see no reason why anybody should lack a need simply because a local community could not collaborate because of their differences.

The main reason for asking the question is that from scripture, we learn that ministry should not only cater for the physical temporal, but also the spiritual eternal.

Collaborating with the community would imply that only the physical temporal will be met, for why should they (the community) let you tell the person(s) that just got some temporal help about the savior and ressurector Jesus, while the community has their own beliefs that can be contrary?

Does this mean that only the physical will be met while collaborating with a community? Hence should people who are being ministered to also need to be ministered to spiritually mean that the collaboration would need to be with fellow believers?

[Woody]

We should provide for the needs of our community free from any hooks to get them to listen to our theology.

If by meeting their needs they might later knock on our doors - then fine. But let's provide for their needs without an agenda.

Oh PLEASE brothers and sisters. People nowadays can see right through giving with an agenda. We must be better than that.

[miz3]

We should provide for the needs of our community free from any hooks to get them to listen to our theology.

If by meeting their needs they might later knock on our doors - then fine. But let's provide for their needs without an agenda.

Oh PLEASE brothers and sisters. People nowadays can see right through giving with an agenda. We must be better than that.

[Tom Wetmore]

I don't see in the gospels that Jesus healed only fellow Jews. And many of the recorded healing miracles say nothing about Him doing follow up evangelism with the healed person. Some did choose to follow him, but it didn't seem to be that Jesus expected or conditioned healing on what they would do afterwards.

[Nich]

Woody, I beg to differ.

John 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

Ministry of Healing {MH 111.1}

In the ministry of healing the physician is to be a co-worker with Christ. The Saviour ministered to both the soul and the body. The gospel which He taught was a message of spiritual life and of physical restoration. Deliverance from sin and the healing of disease were linked together. The same ministry is committed to the Christian physician. He is to unite with Christ in relieving both the physical and spiritual needs of his fellow men. He is to be to the sick a messenger of mercy, bringing to them a remedy for the diseased body and for the sin-sick soul.

A Call to Medical Evangelism and Health Education: {CME} Page 1, Par 1 & 2

I can see in the Lord's providences that the medical missionary work is to be a great entering wedge, whereby the diseased soul may be reached.--Counsels on Health, p. 535. {CME 7.1}

The evangelization of the world is the work that God has given to those who go forth in His name. They are to be colaborers with Christ, revealing to those ready to perish His tender, pitying love. God calls for thousands to work for Him, not by preaching to those who know the truth, going over and over the same ground, but by warning those who have never heard the last message of mercy. Work with a heart filled with an earnest longing for souls. Do medical missionary work. Thus you will gain access to the hearts of the people. The way will be prepared for more decided proclamation of the truth. You will find that relieving their physical suffering gives an opportunity to minister to their spiritual needs. {CME 7.2}

I reiterate:

Quote:

I am for collaboration, for I see no reason why anybody should lack a need simply because a local community could not collaborate because of their differences.

The main reason for asking the question is that from scripture, we learn that ministry should not only cater for the physical temporal, but also the spiritual eternal.

Collaborating with the community would imply that only the physical temporal will be met, for why should they (the community) let you tell the person(s) that just got some temporal help about the savior and ressurector Jesus, while the community has their own beliefs that can be contrary?

Does this mean that only the physical will be met while collaborating with a community? Hence should people who are being ministered to also need to be ministered to spiritually mean that the collaboration would need to be with fellow believers?

Tom Wetmore,

Quote:

I don't see in the gospels that Jesus healed only fellow Jews

I believe that you may have misunderstood the question, please read carefully, nowhere has it been communicated that Jesus healed Jews only.

Quote:

And many of the recorded healing miracles say nothing about Him doing follow up evangelism with the healed person. Some did choose to follow him, but it didn't seem to be that Jesus expected or conditioned healing on what they would do afterwards.

Jesus did both physical and spiritual healing (See the quoted Text above John 5:14), it was up to the person to decide how they would live life there after.

[Gerr]

Since I have very limited resources, I DO have an agenda in my giving. I give to various Protestant charitable agencies and even totally secular ones. My agenda is this: 1) I try to give only to agencies that are rated B+ or higher by the American Institute of Philanthropy, 2) That my giving should glorify the Creator.