Rule Britannia

One of the greatest things about being the Regional Coordinators for Europe and the Middle East is getting to spend time with my favorite people---the English.  This is why I love them so.

A Slow Spiritual and Physical Death?

A new study is out today about the effects of spending a lot of time surging the web and just hanging out in front of screens.  It's pretty alarming:

The latest findings, published this week in The Journal of the American College of Cardiology, indicate that the amount of leisure time spent sitting in front of a screen can have such an overwhelming, seemingly irreparable impact on one’s health that physical activity doesn’t produce much benefit.

The study followed 4,512 middle-aged Scottish men for a little more than four years on average. It found that those who said they spent two or more leisure hours a day sitting in front of a screen were at double the risk of a heart attack or other cardiac event compared with those who watched less. Those who spent four or more hours of recreational time in front of a screen were 50 percent more likely to die of any cause. It didn’t matter whether the men were physically active for several hours a week — exercise didn’t mitigate the risk associated with the high amount of sedentary screen time.

I've wondered about this.  When we lived in Hong Kong we felt overly stimulated constantly. The noise, the crowds, the constant rush.  It felt unusually stressful, which was strange for us, because we both have always loved big cities.  Then there was a study that came out (which I wrote about at here) that showed that the human brain in urban environments gets overloaded by negative stimuli.  That the brain is constantly hearing the sound of cars honking, people rushing to trains, jack-hammers, and other sounds that tell the brain--"you can't relax.  You are in a place of work and urgency."  The study then showed that people living in country environments where you could actually hear birds chirping, or the sound of running water, or the sounds of winds hitting the trees were constantly having their brains inundated with soothing, relaxing stimuli.

We first sensed this on a trip to New Zealand. We didn't name it as such---but, for lack of a better way of putting it, our brains felt different.  Our bodies felt different.  Now here in Germany--especially when we walk---we feel that same relaxation.  The point of all of this, is we underestimate how much our brains need subtle, positive, and soothing stimuli.

The invention of Facebook and phones with email and internet have jarred me.  Facebook I really don't like. It feels like one step too much (sorry Facebook fans which is everyone).  And cell phones with email--while incredibly convenient--make me want to scan the news and think about work.

We (like you) have to spend a lot of time at a computer.  And then, like the article suggests, on break time or after work, I scan the news on the internet, catch up on personal emails, or stay glued to some kind of computer.

I've wondered about the effect this has on me.  Constantly scanning news stories which are negative.  My eyes sore from too much screen time.  How can this be healthy?

Recently I downloaded the ESV Bible onto my phone.  Yes, sometimes technology is Extremely convenient.  It's so convenient and comforting to jump write into Proverbs or Psalms in just two seconds.  And a soothing Christian song can be carried with you everywhere you go.  Not to mention how technology has opened up Evangelism.  But still, when I started making Sunday a no work day and on occasion Saturday too---I felt better.  I then experimented with making it a no computer day too---and that felt even better.

I wonder about the effects of wireless networks in our homes.  The cell phone studies (which are increasing dramatically) continue to show that holding up a cell phone to your head increases chances of tumors.  They have been around long enough now for people to detect these things in the studies.

I just wonder if we human beings are wired for this kind of thing--no pun intended.

I know, I know....they said the same thing about the telegraph and the telephone.  There were concerns about television too (which actually has proven to be helpful but also damaging).  But something about all of this seems extreme.  Maybe it's just that we are the first generation.  For these texting teenagers they don't know anything different.  But once again, I think of how most of human history has consisted of people moving slowly, telling stories, and living in real communities. That is not our world anymore.

Yes, technology helps us connect.  You can see a parent on your computer screen, stay in touch, or even have a website.  I get that.  But I also wonder how much we need walks.  How much we need silence.  How much we need disconnection, so that our real connections are more profound. It's fine for those who can disconnect and keep balance.  But it's getting more difficult to do that even for those that do want balance.

When we moved here almost everything had to be done online.  Not "you can go online", but you must go online to register, to make your payment, to receive your payment, to get the forms,  to sign the forms etc. etc.  It's a virtual world.

Just thinking out loud---on the internet....beamed around the world.....to who knows how many people.

Confusing times these are.

Donor Expectations

We hear a lot from our supporting churches these days.  Often they are writing to tell us that they are in the process of dropping a number of missionaries and mission-fields due to budgetary constraints.  As they make up their mind, they ask us to put together a report of all the things we are doing.  Presumably, they collect these from all of the missionaries and mission-fields they support and then decide which ministries are worth a continued investment and which are not.

For mission-fields and missionaries, these are hard times.  Even during what I call "the era of excess liquidity" (1993-2008), it was getting more and more difficult to raise funds as missionaries.  Supporting churches are often small (with the average probably being around 100), and large churches often divided their mission budgets between 40 to 75 different mission-fields and missionaries.  But there were many big donors behind the scenes--individuals who were doing well financially and could afford to give a lot to a building, or project.  So some big projects were supported and funds at times could come in fast because of these big donors.

All of this has changed. Now in the recession, a lot of small churches are struggling, large churches may be having problems paying off buildings as well as supporting so many ministries, and many individuals have seen their financial portfolios drop dramatically.  The competition between the many non-profits (which was already very competitive) has become even greater.

I strongly expect this global recession to last a very long time.  The market indicators may go up and down, but they are increasingly divorced from the actual earnings people make which have flat-lined or are in decline.  So we will probably continue to get more of these letters.

The good thing about this is that it enables us to have a closer relationship with those that do support us.  Mission-agencies and mission endeavors have to be more strategic in their investments, and accountability and standards need to go up.  Donors should be able to have confidence that mission-fields are being properly prepared and managed, that foreign churches and others receiving support are doing things that foster health, and that money is strategically used instead of a "blank check" mentality.  That is certainly what we are doing here at Three Worlds---examining everything from top to bottom to make sure that standards are high and that we are being as effective as we can be--and helping our fields to become more effective.

The reality is that there has been to much blind faith in non-profits, just as there has been too much blind faith in aid packages to needy nations.  The entire field of charity and aid is being re-examined and we think this is a very good thing.  The Mosaic project that I did between 2008-2010 was very eye opening in this regard as it became very clear in what areas we as a church can do better.

We understand that many of our churches are struggling financially.  And we know that many of our individual donors and tithers in these churches are struggling.  So we greatly appreciate all of your continued support.  We also continually try and think of how our work on the field, can benefit our supporting churches back home. We don't want this to only be a one-way street.

We greatly appreciate you!

Two of my favorite countries...

....Are going to War.

Save a Prayer...

I got a couple pieces of disturbing news while in Lebanon.  My great mentor Rev. Kermit Morrison has been moved into a retirement center as his struggle with an alzheimer's-like situation is getting worse.  His wife Susi has also been moved and is battling cancer and the prognosis is not good.  I was last with them last January in New Haven, Connecticut where we had a lovely time together.  Being so far away from them right now is discouraging.  They are like grandparents to me. Also, I received word from our friends the Tongs in Hong Kong that our friend Vijai has suffered a serious hemorrhagic stroke in the brain.  This is very serious.  Vijai is not much older than me and is a dear, kind soul.  Say a little prayer for these three friends of mine.

Thank You Lebanon!

Photo: General Assembly of the Church of God in Lebanon

I am back from Lebanon.  It was a very productive trip and the country was just as beautiful as I remembered.  While in Lebanon, I got to spend time with some of the CBH Viewpoint crew that was in town to put a studio in MBC. That meant getting some time with my friends John W. and Tim B.  Also in Lebanon was President Emeritus J. Barber from Warner Pacific College.  Jay is a special friend and mentor to me.  It was twenty years ago this month that I lost my mother.  Jay presided over her memorial service and it was his wife Jan who spent the most time at my mother's bedside in her final weeks.  Their daughter Carrie is a special friend of mine and I deeply love this family.  It was an honor to have so much time with Jay.

I especially appreciate the evening we had with the General Assembly of the Church of God in Lebanon.  The fellowship was great and the meal fantastic.  Most importantly, I think we will be having a very fruitful relationship as Three Worlds continues to build new partnerships in these challenging days.  Thanks to Joy Mallouh for hosting this large group as well.

I got back yesterday and was exhausted.  Today the whole day was spent preparing for the upcoming Regional Coordinator Meetings in Oklahoma City, OK.  Jamie will be attending those and Marco and I will stay here in Berlin.

Photos of Beautiful Lebanon

Living Large in Lebanon

Just a short note from an interesting neighborhood in Beirut.  I'm just down the street from the American University in Beirut which sits on a hill overlooking the Mediterrenean.  I'm at an internet cafe filled with Lebanese young people speaking in Arabic and swearing in English.  Nirvana Unplugged is playing. I'm supposed to be in another country right now with Kelley Philips, but our visas didn't come through in time so Kelley didn't come with me to Lebanon and the group left without me yesterday.  I've been camped out in a shoddy downtown hotel in Beirut--but having fun.  It's been fun to walk the neighborhoods and get to know the city.

Geographically, Lebanon is a gorgeous country.  Beirut is on the sea and these large 5,000 feet mountains ascend behind the city creating gorgeous vistas from most places in the city.  Today I walked to the seashore and had a nice seafood meal on the ocean as planes flew overhead on their way to land on the airport.

Lebanon's economy has recovered very well since the wars of the 70's and 80's--and the most recent bombing by Israel.  The downtown area is one of the coolest, most charming downtown areas I've seen--certainly in this region of the world.  It looks like a Disney world set---made to look old, but very new.

The Lebanese are good businessmen all over the world.  There is a great deal of wealth here.  And the Lebanese are flashy, so fancy cars, plastic surgery, and dressing nice is very important.  They like to LIVE LARGE.  Since Lebanon has had close ties to France (It was often referred to as the Paris of the Mediterranean), most of the people here speak French, Arabic, and English--at least 3 languages.  And the youth are very globalized---playing Worlds of Warcraft next to me and cussing up a storm.  It could be Atlanta or Phoenix.  The nightclub scene here is so hot that people fly in for the weekends to hit the clubs.  And everyone agrees the food is delicious.   This is the only place in the world that I like to eat vegetables.  I would be so healthy if I lived here.

I will be hearing about some exciting ministries, tackling some challenging things, and discussing our future 3W agenda in the future.   I will be back in Germany on Thursday.

Good Marco Quote: Indianapolis is not like...

"Indianapolis is not like a town.  It's more like an open field."

The Effects of Technology on Missions

Christianity Today online has an article about some of the effects of the tech revolution on the life of missionaries. It's a huge subject and a short article but it highlights some of the ways that the internet, cell phones and computers are changing things.

Among the things mentioned:

PHONES: Unlike the old days, where a long distance call was super expensive and rare, today even missionaries in rural Africa can make cheap, crystal clear calls around the world. Sometimes the connection is even better.

HIGH SPEED INTERNET: Nearly 75% of missionaries in their survey had high speed internet.

CONNECTING WITH SUPPORTERS: Technology makes it easier and more regular for missionaries to relate information to their supporters about their ministry, their life, and the issues important to them.  Twitter, Facebook, web-pages, Skype etc. are making it easier to "see" the field.

LONGEVITY ON THE FIELD: Then they make the dubious claim that all this technology helps missionaries stay on the field longer than they otherwise would.  Actually, that's probably not true.  Other factors that we've written about here on this blog regarding student loans, the effect of short-term missions, anti-institutionalism, and multi-career lives are bigger trends that are negating that effect it seems.  The long-term trend is for shorter tenures.

TOO MUCH CONNECTION: A downside is that all of this ability to connect is leading some missionaries to spend so much time online and keeping up with friends back home that they fail to integrate into the local culture. Now everything seems so close.

I remember when I was a kid having to wait for weeks for Grandma's chocolate fudge to make its way from California to Costa Rica by ship.  Letters were slow---and in the Third World---things regularly got lost in the mail.  That was not uncommon at all.

Another downside mentioned is that even when missionaries are on home-assignment (furlough), technology means that the field follows them and that they are just as actively involved with things in the home country as if they were on the field.

I would add that another downside for administrators in central offices is that while the old days required mail for important questions that required answers (3 or 4 weeks each way), nowadays, thanks to email, central offices have to make big decisions daily at a moments notice.

There are many things not delved into in this article and we won't go into them now (I've got to pack my bags), but there are a lot of benefits.  One is the way the Bible can be put on one's phone or a memory stick.  The transmission of the Bible has never been easier and that alone is a huge benefit.

Another negative though, is the way we are constantly surrounded by media (and thus work).  It comes at you via the computer constantly and it doesn't stop when work hours stop.

One of my New Year's Resolutions involves how I manage my time.  This past week I did an experiment.  Once the weekend arrived, I stopped reading email for the entire weekend.  And for the first time ever, I did not do anything work related (including reading).  Wow.  What a huge difference that made.  I felt like it cleared my head, and created some sort of buffer to move into the next work week.

I also barely surfed the net (I'm a news junkie...and news is mostly negative really).

There was this crazy idea in the Bible called "the Sabbath" which seemed to suggest that our bodies require rest and focus on higher matters once a week.  Perhaps the overwhelming impact of technology means that we need to really create a Sabbath that minimizes or cuts out a lot of this technology at least once a week.  Just thinking out loud...

This week I am off to Lebanon to meet with the leadership there about a few different key issues.  My laptop has gone on to be with the Lord, so I think my internet connection will be minimal this week.  That may be a good thing considering the subject of this post.