A Hundred-Year Mission in the Kingdom of Wonder
In the early 1990s, Cambodia opened up to receive long-term missionaries again after decades of being closed. That was not the first time that the Cambodian people had heard the gospel however. Consider for example the pioneering work of American missionary Arthur L. Hammond. In the same spirit of other missionaries to Asia, such as Robert Morrison in China, who worked on giving the Chinese people a Bible translation in their heart language, Hammond’s missionary focus saw the completion of the Khmer New Testament translation in 1934, and the completion of the full Bible into Khmer in 1954. This monument work laid the foundation for the task of disciple-making, church-planting, and Christian education in the country. There is much to be thankful for when we reflect on the history of God’s work in Cambodia, and it gives us hope as we remember that the one who started will also be faithful to complete it (Phil 1:6). Along those same lines, in this post we will reflect also on what God is currently doing here in Cambodia.
Congregations with messy lives. As the gathering of redeemed sinners, the Church is bound to be living in tension. As individuals, saints combat everyday sins in their own lives. However, our individual messiness only compounds when it comes into collision with the sin in the lives of other believers, all of which becomes only exasperated by the sinfulness in the world all around us. Church is messy, and congregations everywhere face the reality of living in the “already-not-yet”. Though Christ’s work on the cross and resurrection is already complete, we are still awaiting the complete fulfillment of God’s promises at Christ’s second coming.
A Young Khmer church. While it is true that congregations everywhere will have areas of messiness, both abroad and locally, this seems to be especially true in countries where the history of the church is relatively young. In Cambodia, churches can be considered first or second-generation, depending on the date of counting. Infuse that with personal pride, ethnic division, sexual immorality, secular syncretism and confusion over Christian liberty, this makes for a remarkable affinity with the 1st century church of Corinth. It is for good reason that they sometimes refer to “missiology” as “messy-ology”!
Masking Messiness, through a well put together life. Not that we should look down upon younger churches in the mission field, as if the church in the west has it all figured out. Far from it – in fact, all too often the messiness on the field is just a result of the messiness in our own churches, exported by means of (all-too-often unprepared and unqualified) missionaries who themselves are sent out by (even more often naïve and misguided) sending churches. Indeed, I’m increasingly convinced that the main difference between the Church abroad and the local congregations here in Cambodia is that they haven’t yet mastered the technique of how to put on the veneer of a well-put together life, like the “white-washed tombs” from times past.
Messiness as a sign of progress. Messy doesn’t necessarily always mean “bad” – merely in progress. Take the example of a construction site. If you have ever remodeled your home, you will understand that the existence of a mess (including a considerable amount of noise and stress!) indicates progress. Indeed, the messiness itself is a sign of life and activity, often a result of people living the Christian life together. In fact, in some ways it is advantageous for the messiness of our churches to be a little more out in the open, in as much as it provides an opportunity for the truth of God’s Word to do its transformative work in our lives as individuals, as well as an opportunity for churches to learn and grow.
Learnings from an old Khmer saint. One example comes to mind. There is a dear older Khmer Christian that my wife and I have known for almost seven years now, since we first arrived in country. She is one of those rare gems that every church should have among their members – faithfully serving and sacrificing in her local assembly week after week, year after year. This, although the church she attends is a very messy church. We have from time to time floated to her the idea of considering a different church. However, her response regarding why she stays is hard to overcome: “Of course there’s problems in my church, but I am here for Jesus – and not for anyone else.” Admittedly this can be taken to an unhealthy extreme. Even still, that really is the answer, isn’t it? This is Paul’s answer when there are divisions and pride raising its ugly head in our church, the solution is just that: Look to Jesus, as the one true head of the Church. This is the author of Hebrews’ answer as well, when there is temptation to drift away from Christ: Look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
Focused on Christ, A Century on. Perhaps this is the lesson for all of us, particularly in a time where we continue to see all too clearly the negative impact on the church when we exalt certain methodologies or well-known leaders beyond the level where any mere man should be. Consider how harmful it has been to the church when her leaders fall due to misconduct; or still worse, if they never “fall”, and our unhealthy pattern of exalting man is allowed to perpetuate. Churches with long Christian lineages in their history can often be quite skilled in putting up an impressive external façade, propping up unqualified “celebrity” leaders and masking unhealthy patterns within – all of this enabled by financial resources and centuries of practice. We can stand to benefit much from the constant reminder that Christ is the Church’s one foundation, and to look to Him and Him alone.
About the Author | Ryan Q lives in Cambodia, and serves as a trainer and instructor for the Cambodian people.
