I’m beginning to know what they mean with the exclamation, “Going Postal”. I think I’m about to.
Let’s face it, the Post Office has a simple mission. Get something from point A to point B. Not counting sending 300 of my newsletters quarterly, routinely, I send expense reports and bundled receipts to the Atlanta office. I simply send it first class. Upselling has become an art form in the Postal profession. Uniformed tellers routinely offer, “Express?”, “Priority?”. I repeat, “Just first class, thanks”.
Let’s think about this: aren’t they supposed to get it there in a timely mode? First class doesn’t mean second class! Then I’m asked if I want delivery confirmation. Why? Can’t you trust them to get it there without it? {Am I starting to sound like Andy Rooney?}
A few months ago a stone-faced teller reminded me when I declined her gracious offer of Express and Priority, that first class was quote, “4-6 days, no guarantee”. Coyly, I fired back, “You don’t guarantee your work?” She failed to see the humor in the comment.
Now the clincher. In the downtown Honolulu Post Office across from historic Iolani Palace, I run the gauntlet to secure a metered parking space for my truck, only to find myself locked out of P.O. Box 1533. I had previously paid my “Box Rent Due” utilizing the “No Postage Necessary” envelope conveniently provided. Long story made short, someone lost my payment…and it wasn’t moi. When I pointed out to the Supervisor the irony of the Post Office losing its own mail, he too, failed to see the levity in the moment.
Let me state the premise of this tirade. If you are in business, you should act like it. There is a minimum level of competence and performance. Sound reasonable?
It’s time to start preaching. There is a Christian ethic. We are supposed to act like it. Granted, we are saved by faith, and sanctified by faith. Yet, if we have new life in Christ, it ought to look different than when we were dead in sin! There is a standard of performance for professors of faith {Js 2:26}. Paul wrote, “Let him who steals, steal no longer”. Peter chided, “Put aside all silliness and filthy talk.” Jesus was more succinct, “Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Any part of that we don’t understand?
You don’t hear many preachers talk like that, anymore.
I’m going to mention the unmentionable: money. More precisely and painfully, ministry and money! “Uh huh, always talking about money!” Actually, I’ve never written about money…till now. Fact is the Bible addresses monetary matters more than any other. If I’m committed to being Biblical, I best chip in my two cents.
The story is told of a little boy who swallowed a quarter. Family frantically asked if they should call a doctor. Grandpa wryly suggested out the corner of his mouth, “Call the Preacher, he can get money out of anybody!”
People get nervous whenever ministries mention money. I don’t blame them. You can almost sense some sinister symbiosis between Lucifer and lucre. Like you, I have seen tear-stained pleas on television, received glossy mailings promising a hundred fold blessing for seed faith (even Wall Street can’t match that!), and read carefully coded “prayer requests” in newsletters. All deftly designed to separate me and my money.
Let’s clear the air right up front. I’m not asking for money. True, it does take money for ministry. Consider that it required funds for Jesus and his apostles, thirteen grown men, to roam the countryside, for Elijah and Elisha to prophecy, for Paul and his associates Timothy and Titus to plant churches. The Bible names their sources. If I’m candid, it takes money for me to do what I do. That aside, I am not asking for your money.
Jesus indicated that a clear way to put your finger on the spiritual pulse of a believer’s heart was to touch their wallet. He posited, “Where your treasure is, there your heart is also.” The Master sat in the Temple strategically perched near the offering plate scrutinizing as people deposited their contribution. Then, He commented publicly on the amount! (Pastor, try that next Sunday!) Particularly, He remarked about the attitude behind the amount.
Scripture reveals repeated instances of God’s people giving specifically because the Lord touched their heart to do so. It was an inner spiritual issue. In the building of the Tabernacle in the wilderness (Exodus 35), rebuilding the Temple with Ezra (Ezra 1), when Jehoash of Judah repaired the Temple (II Kings 12), with the infant Antioch church mission effort (Acts 11), and more, intentional mention is made of the Lord moving hearts to give. There’s a world of difference between giving out of gratitude and guilt. Paul prized motive when he penned, “Don’t give under compulsion…the Lord loves a cheerful giver.” Plainly put: if you can’t give with a willing heart, keep your money.
Let’s be rational. God doesn’t need our money. Psalms asserts He owns the cattle on a thousand hills; for that matter, the grass and soil underneath! Apparently, He chooses to use our money; more to the point, to use us! Hence the real issue is not purse strings, but the heart.
Now, let’s be practical. How does this apply to you and me, making a living in the real world? Grasp this: money matters matter. Faith affects finance. We cannot compartmentalize our commitment to Christ. In more than a quarter century in ministry, I have observed nominal believers grumble while spiritual people rejoice when investing in the Lord’s work. I remember as a kid, overhearing my parents figure out ways to buy bologna after they had willingly and cheerfully tithed. (…I always wondered if the Lord owns all these cattle, how come we never ate steak?...) Mom and Dad had a curious private quirk, when they gave, they would insist on using crisp new dollar bills. They wanted to give God their best. You can tell when a believer is maturing in their love for the Lord. They quit asking, “How little can I give?” and replace it with “How much can I give?”
Everyone in Ambassadors For Christ is totally funded in the Biblical manner mentioned earlier. There is no proverbial Big Corporate Pot in the sky. God’s people make it happen; or it doesn’t. In this ministry, I am called to “Live by Faith” which means support, not salary. I am a receiver. However, the Lord has reminded me; I too, am called to be a giver…a cheerful one at that! Bluntly put: if I can’t give with a willing heart, just keep the Lord’s money.
I did not write this article to wriggle a few more bucks out of you. The Apostle Paul wrote in II Corinthians 12 about ministry and money. In verse fourteen he cuts to the bottom line: “For I do not seek what is yours, but you…” O.K., here’s my bottom line: I don’t want your money, I want you. So does the Lord.
I never thought I would hear my ministry described by the word Playboy! Now, Ive heard it all.
Lunching with a local pastor over scrumptious sushi as gentle trade winds waft, he described his past personal experience in foreign missions. A youthful stint in the Orient convinced him he was not cut out to be a resident missionary serving an appointed term. Yet, he was intrigued by the possibility of, and I quote, popping in and out, having a short-term impactthen off again to the next locale! Sort of a Playboy missions ministry.
At that point I swallowed hard. I realized he had aptly portrayed the nature of itinerant ministry. He had described me!
As I regularly serve, now numbering over twenty foreign lands ranging from Africa to Oceania, and points in between; I grow in appreciation for resident missionaries (both indigenous and non) with whom I minister. They immerse themselves in culture and context. They take the time to discern the situation, build relationships and credibility, and sew lasting seeds for the gospel. They remain to cultivate spiritual fruit.
That however, is not the calling or primary function God has given an itinerant. Throughout Scripture, in both Old Testament and New, God employed traveling preachers and teachers to provide poignant impact through prophetic proclamation of His truth (reference II Chronicles 17 and III John, et. al.). Offering a fresh voice with a different perspective, there is something decisive about an out-of-towner declaring the gospel. (In fact, when I served as a local pastor, my people would hear an invited guest speaker then ask me, Why havent you said that? {Thereby eliciting the proverbial polite pastorial smile and inaudible sigh.} Folks love a familiar song with a new voice.)
In his fine work, Church Without Walls (Navpress, 1992), author Jim Peterson speaks of the New Testament function of Apostolic ministry. Essentially, he argues for mobile sent ones to invigorate and augment local ministry. He states, Tracing the progress of Gods people in the New Testament, we see how the apostolic and local efforts were inseparable. Each was dependant upon the other. One contemporary weakness is the belief that a single local fellowship can be self-sufficient. Fellowships that do not have ongoing input from people who minister on a broader-than-local level suffer spiritual myopia. (p. 81-82)
I am acutely aware of the necessity for local colleagues who know fully where lay the social quicksand. When I prepare to visit their country, they must have previously scouted the land. During my stay, my schedule (and safety) is in their hands. Upon departure, follow up and carry through with local people is their responsibility. Without them, my ministry would wither. Then again, without mine, maybe theirs would, too!
So, the next time you hear the word Playboy, picture me. Itll be a better image for us both.
"The Joy of Travel"; ranks right up there with other popular titles, "The Joy of Cooking" and "The Joy of... Sewing"; uh, huh. Sometimes folks let it slip, intimating my life must be exciting, jet-setting all over the globe; uh, huh. Trust me, there is a huge chasm between traveling to live it up, and traveling for a living.
I could keep you awake nights with stories of failed connections, weather delays, missing luggage, time zones, bad beds, big bugs, dusty roads, and cold water showers. Sometimes life on the road more travail than travel.
O.K. Hankins, shake it off! Rub a little dirt on it and get back in the game. Stop your whining! Read a bit of Paul's challenges in II Corinthians. When you find yourself enduring stoning, whippings, shipwreck, hunger, prison, and the occasional cantankerous congregation; let's talk.
Such is the life of an itinerant. We are called; make that commissioned, to take the gospel to all peoples. In the Old Testament, the prophets operated upon God's beckon call. In the New, among other passages, we read in III John of those who went out for the sake of the Name. Historically and Biblically, itinerant evangelists have been used mightily of God. There is something divinely poignant about prophetic proclamation.
Ambassadors For Christ is primed to do its part toward reviving the Church and reaching the nations for Christ. If geographic mobility goes with the territory, so be it. The greatest challenge is not our willingness to go, but rather the Church?s willingness to host us. As oe elder some years back remarked, Evangelists are one of God's gifts to the church that is not being used as much nowadays. A second greatest challenge is the church's willingness to send us. Ah, but that topic is for another day.
We stand ready to "preach the Word, in season and out". We are poised to respond to the Spirit's call and take the gospel across the street or across the sea. Be it preaching in churches or schools, whether offering training for pastors and leaders, even sharing Christ in home studies; we are ready to go. Simply put, whatever it takes, wherever it takes.
The Joy of Travel, perhaps. The Joy of Jesus, definitely! I wouldn't have it any other way.
Latter half 2008
Some call Wednesday “Hump Day”, intimating the rest of the week is a breeze. It’s not clear whether June could be called “Hump Month”, the remainder of the year for Stan’s ministry promises a whirlwind! In July and August he will engage a long sojourn with a week in Singapore en route to three more in India. In the former he has extensive ministry networking commitments, followed on the Indian Subcontinent with diverse and demanding ministry. There he will be training pastors in the south of the country, teaching at a Bible School in the north east, and preaching in various settings.
September will meld into October as a lengthy ministry trip commences with yearly Navajo Pastor Training at Four Corners Native American Ministry in Arizona and New Mexico. From there Stan heads to North Carolina where he preaches in two separate churches for multi-day renewal services. He is home briefly before heading to Thailand for a teaching stint training missionaries with the international ministry Youth With a Mission.
In November, he will be speaking in Wellington, New Zealand at a Pacific Island Church Bible Workshop. In that venue, he will be joined by other international speakers in the week long event.
December finds Stan in attendance at Ambassadors For Christ Ministry Council meetings as well as visitation and speaking stops en route. He has various bookings to preach locally when in his home Hawaiian islands.
March-May 2008
Spring time will find N. Stan Hankins with a spring in his ministry step. Throughout the season, when in his home Hawaiian Islands, Stan has varied local speaking ministry. Early March takes him to Colorado for “Facilitators Training” and networking with others in the field of international pastors training. Late March squeezes in a quick sortie to New Zealand for Board meetings with UCB Pacific Partners, a Christian Radio and Discipleship ministry throughout the South Seas. As part of that journey, Stan visits the Kingdom of Tonga to relate directly with local ministry staff. In April, he commences a five city itinerary which concludes in Atlanta for Ministry Council meetings with Ambassadors For Christ. And finally most of May will find Stan in the Cook Islands where he will teach for two weeks at Takamoa Theological College and spend an additional week in ministry on the outer island of Mangaia.
Ministry Schedule May-July 2007
The phrase “Lazy Days of Summer” will not apply to ministry in upcoming months. First, Stan will be in Auckland, New Zealand in May. Located below the Equator, the season will be winter. Second, the calendar in country is full; no time to laze! Stan will speak in a week long multi-church spiritual life conference for Pacific Island immigrants. He will join an international team of speakers. The Salvation Army will host Stan on the North Shore of Auckland for two weekend speaking series surrounding afore mentioned conference. And finally, while in country, Stan will caucus with UCB Pacific Partners, a Christian radio discipleship ministry, for whom he sits on their Board of Directors.
In July, Stan will fulfill his yearly teaching stint at Takamoa Theological College in the South Sea nation, the Cook Islands. Access in the historic denomination, The Cook Island Christian Church, by folks outside the country and denomination is a unique privilege. God has granted Stan an enduring pass to move and minister freely. During his stay, he will minister in various local churches.
From May through July, Stan will have diverse local ministry in a variety of churches and denominations when home in the Hawaiian Islands. There will be just enough time to catch breath to prepare for an August itinerary in Costa Rica, Central America.
Finishing Strong!
The last part of the year finds N. Stan Hankins firing on all cylinders in service for Christ. In November, he will be speaking and singing at a Missions Conference in Worland Wyoming at Zion Church. Different participants will represent various mission ministries. The Lord has used Stan to be the common connection between them all as they meet at this dynamic church served by pastor Bud Surles.
While in the west, Stan will make three ministry stops across the state of Colorado. Heading east, he is slated to join his wife Brenda in Washington D.C., where Stan has various speaking commitments, including preaching at Maple Springs Baptist Church in Maryland.
December’s docket includes Ministry Council and Board meetings in Atlanta. On the way home, Stan will make three ministry stops up and down the California coast. Typically, local ministry in the Hawaiian Islands is requested during the holidays.
Looking to the New Year, numerous exciting ministry opportunities are already in place throughout the islands, across the nation, and around the world!
July 2006 Update
N. Stan Hankins will spend July in three nations in the Southern Hemisphere. Commencing in the Fiji Islands, he will be featured speaker at two Men’s Conferences on separate islands for the Salvation Army. In the interval, he will teach at their Officer Training Academy in Suva.
Transiting to Vanautu (formerly named New Hebrides) he will be joined by AFC colleague Cathy Kreis and Pastor Kevin Eshlemen and Brian Lough from the United States. While in Vanuatu, outreach ministry will occur on outer islands. Ministry in the country will culminate with an Evangelistic Crusade and Pastors Training Conference in Luganville, on the island of Espiritu Santo. In the latter, other church mission teams from the Hawaiian Islands will join for a combined effort!
The team then heads to New Zealand where there will be networking and preaching in two separate churches.
In September, following ministry in his home area, Stan will be speaking in various U.S. mainland venues ranging from the midwest and southeast, culminating with return work on the Navajo Reservation in the southwest.
Feb. & March Update
N. Stan Hankins will embark upon a February and March ministry itinerary commencing in Central America and concluding in Middle America. AFC colleague Roger Marini and Stan will be joined by Pastor Bud Surles of Wyoming for eleven days of Pastors Training, Festival Preaching meetings, and church services in El Salvador and Guatemala.
Immediately Stan will transit to southern Indiana where he speaks in a series of Spiritual Renewal meetings in the Washington United Methodist Church. That is followed a few days later in a nearby community by an Evangelism/Church Growth workshop for the Lincolnland Association of the United Church of Christ.
In early April Stan will serve as resource speaker for the international Staff Retreat of Pacific Partners Ministry in New Zealand. This event brings together local ministry personnel serving in Christian radio and discipleship based in numerous Pacific Island nations.
