SHOE ON THE OTHER FOOT: "Y" Means Yielding

by Charles Costa

In our BMAA churches, no objection means consent. Having heard none, I think we agree that our middle name, MISSIONARY, says we should be Motivated, Impactful, Servant-hearted, Strategic, Intentionally Indigenous, Observant, Nurturing, Adventurous and Resourceful. But what are all those qualities without the “Y” (pun intended)? Why are we, or should be, these qualities? Simple, because we are Yielding.

For starters, Yielding means obedient. Oh, how easy to speak about obedience, yet how difficult to live it. Obedience controls our priorities, our attitudes and determines our actions. Yes! I said it. I am talking about obedience to the Word of God in missions and other matters. But how do we measure these three areas — priorities, attitudes, and actions — when it comes to being truly missionary? How does that affect our church programs, finances and, most importantly, preaching and teaching? Does that figure in when we are choosing staff? Please note that our mission field starts across the street and ends across the oceans. Anywhere, everywhere, anytime and at every time, people are in need of Jesus.

So, with that need settled, how do we measure on the Yielding spectrum? Are we losing sleep or even dreaming (like Paul did) about reaching those who are hurting and aching and in need of the Savior’s touch? The famous Scottish preacher, John Knox is quoted as praying, “Give me Scotland, or I die!” Another Scottish preacher, Thomas Chalmers, said, “It is the Christian duty to subordinate the things of time to the things of eternity.” That is priorities, and that is Yielding.

Yielding means what Paul said in Rom. 12:10 (NKJV), “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.” Wow, this borders on the impossible — kind, affectionate, love, honor, giving preference. In answer to your muffled question, “Yes, all of the above.”

Now, prayerfully do the math. How do we measure up to this in the churches, as well as in the local, state, and national associational work of the BMAA? The issue here is beyond the spiritual. It is operational and practical. We give preference to one another because we want to see the work of the ministry advance. Can you imagine an Olympic runner in a relay race deciding to keep the baton to himself? He has to yield to the next runner. Otherwise, the whole team will be disqualified. Can you imagine a vehicle getting on the interstate from an on-ramp and not yielding to oncoming traffic? For the BMAA, Yielding means giving preference to qualified people and then, after shouldering a certain responsibility, handing it over to younger and qualified people rather than hoarding it and holding on to it — directly or by proxy. That takes humility and selflessness, a function of the Holy Spirit in the life of a maturing Christian.

Objectively examining motives and attitudes in the light of God’s Word is not an exercise for the faint-hearted. It takes maturity and a Yielding spirit not to undermine those in leadership within the BMA. Don’t you think God would not have allowed their appointment if they were not qualified? Or if they were mistakenly appointed, isn’t God able to remove them? The bottom line is that our understanding and obedience in this area affect our attitude and support. I hope and pray that none of our pastors and churches base their support of our agencies on whether they like the director or leader. I pray that support is based on the priorities and performance of that agency as it implements objectives set by God’s Word and the churches of the BMA.

This leads me to the issue of performance and results. Are we a high-Yielding group of churches and agencies within our associational work? Please don’t count professions of faith that are reported alone, as these mean nothing unless followed by public testimony, baptism, church membership, discipleship, and involvement in ministry. Count those please, then you can gauge your Yield. It is interesting to observe the church in Jerusalem under adverse conditions, “Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). Circumstances don’t matter, just priorities, objectives and absolute commitment that decide the Yield. I am reminded of those we led to the Lord through our teams here in the Middle East, and then, because of war, they were scattered. Those who were truly born again can be found around the globe in churches serving the Lord. Some have even planted churches. That is Yield.

There is one more thing. If we are a Yielding bunch, that means we are flexible but unbreakable and uncompromising. Looking at what’s happening today to churches and denominations, I am scared yet hopeful. Although we have staunch biblical positions on several issues, especially moral, what are we doing not to alienate those under bondage? Have we thought of the words we sing: “Bring them in, bring them in, Bring them in from the fields of sin; Bring them in, bring them in, Bring the wandering ones to Jesus.”

I wonder if that includes those considering abortion or struggling with gender issues or other moral dilemmas. Are we welcoming to those wandering ones? Remember, Jesus died for those, too, and I would love to see them come. Being flexible yet uncompromising will help.

This is the “Y” of MISSIONARY. Now, let’s put the shoe on the other foot. If you were an unsaved sinner in today’s tumultuous world, wouldn’t you want the BMAA churches and ministries to reflect these characteristics? Think about it for a moment, then do something about it.