Perspectives Unsettled

For our first international recording Ben talks to Danko, our friend and partner working in Belgrade, Serbia. We get a look into his ministry, hear updates on what life has been like through the pandemic, and start getting excited for Global Day 2021!

The idea of ‘raising up strong leaders’ has become a prominent part of western, Evangelical culture. Everyone gets invited to leadership training and summits, everyone is encouraged to read all the books. But the political climate of the past few years, as well as abuse allegations and scandals of prominent Christian leaders, have started to change the conversation. What is ideal leadership, and what is just idealistic? Is it possible to overemphasize the importance of one person’s sense of ‘calling?’

In this episode, Dr. Carlo Serrano returns for a conversation on healthy organizations, how leadership can be inherently traumatic, and why The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill podcast may not be as discouraging as it seems.

Music in this episode-

Smoke and Mirrors by Falls

Keep On by Isaac Joel

All music licensed through Soundstripe.

In this episode, Emily gives us an update on communities we're partnered with, how our organization is responding, and the future of Perspectives Unsettled.

Music in this episode:

Smoke and Mirrors by Falls

Meet at the Cafe by Falls

Beach Nap by Midnight Daydream

Midnight Memory by Chelsea McGough

All music licensed through Soundstripe.

In the evangelical world, the idea of ‘women in leadership’ can be pretty controversial. But when we look internationally, and especially in the mission field, women throughout have been martyrs, saints, missionaries, apostles, and leaders. Women around the world are making disciples and reaching unreached people, and not waiting for permission to do it.

So what unique challenges do women face when it comes to working in missions? How much should concern for personal safety impact our decisions? And how are women around the world taking it upon themselves to make disciples and advance God’s Kingdom? On this episode we’re talking to Amanda Brown, Global Outreach Coordinator from Flatirons Church in Colorado, and Sarah Bourns, Uncharted Board Member and Pastor of Mission and Formation at Hope Church in New York City.

Relevant Links-

Pew Research Study on religious gender composition: https://www.pewforum.org/religious-landscape-study/gender-composition/

Barna Group - Decline in Church Attendance Among Women: https://www.barna.com/changes-behind-the-scenes/

Tara Beth Leach - Emboldened: A Vision for Empowering Women in Ministry: https://www.amazon.com/Emboldened-Vision-Empowering-Women-Ministry/dp/0830845240

Life in Abundance: https://lifeinabundance.org/

Perspectives Course: https://www.perspectives.org/

Helping Without Hurting Resources: https://chalmers.org/resources/books/helping-without-hurting-in-short-term-missions/ (Flatirons takes all of our mission teams through this)

The Pursuit of His Calling – Florence Muindi https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/193745536X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Music in this episode-

Smoke and Mirrors by Falls

Fade by Nu Alkemi$t

All music licensed through soundstripe.com

How do people and organizations have effective and safe missions practices in closed or hostile countries? Do missionaries actually increase danger for local believers? And when is it okay for Christians to lie or break the law for the sake of gospel-access?

RELEVANT LINKS-

Creative Access Platforms: https://missionexus.org/creative-access-platforms-what-are-they-and-do-we-need-them/

Undercover Rabbi: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/apr/27/jerusalem-rabbi-accused-of-being-undercover-christian-missionary

Ethical Considerations:

https://missionexus.org/business-as-mission-in-creative-access-countries-ethical-implications-and-challenges/

Daniel, A Biblical example of living in CAC:

https://missionexus.org/daniel-as-a-model-for-godly-living-in-creative-access-countries/

Uncharted International: unchartedinternational.org

Music in this episode-

Smoke and Mirrors by Falls

Sluggish by Ghost Beatz

All music licensed through soundstripe.com

One of the most prominent critiques of international missions is that faith-based organizations get in over their heads with children’s welfare programs, causing a lot of harm to local communities and individual children.

So what do we do? How can someone engage in ministries for at-risk children in ethical, helpful ways? What are the mistakes that have been made? And how do we look past our own good intentions to make sure we are actually doing good work?

For this episode, we’re excited to welcome an expert in the field: Scott Todd. Scott is the president of One Child - an organization that serves and develops children in poverty around the world, and helps those children reach their God-given potential.

Uncharted International: unchartedinternational.org

Music in this episode-

Smoke and Mirrors by Falls
The Ballad of M And T by Sam Barsh

All music licensed through soundstripe.com

Expecting perfection of anyone is unfair and will lead to more disappointment than it will to anything helpful. Grace can be extended after sin, forgiveness can be offered after repentance. But there’s a distinction between a good man who sinned, and a bad man who created opportunities to take advantage of others. No one can lead perfectly, but how low should our expectations be?

Why do we as Christian communities continue to fall into the trap of celebritizing and even idolizing our leaders? What kind of leaders are we supposed to be looking for? And what should we realistically and ideally expect from them?

RELEVANT LINKS-

Carl Lentz: https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2021/02/carl-lentz-and-the-trouble-at-hillsong

Jean Vanier: https://www.washingtonpost.com/religion/2020/02/23/jean-vanier-once-talked-about-nobel-or-sainthood-candidate-is-accused-abusive-sexual-relationships-with-six-women/

Ravi Zacharias: https://www.christianitytoday.com/news/2021/february/ravi-zacharias-rzim-investigation-sexual-abuse-sexting-rape.html

You Have Permission interview with Dr. Paula Swindle about Ravi Zacharias: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-have-permission/id1448000113

You Have Permission Varieties of Religious and Spiritual Abuse: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-have-permission/id1448000113?i=1000498837671

Out of the 4th Place: https://outofthe4thplace.com/

PHD dissertation by Dr. Paula Swindle: https://libres.uncg.edu/ir/uncg/f/Swindle_uncg_0154D_12186.pdf

Nomad Podcast: Surviving Spiritual Abuse: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nomad-podcast/id301419170?i=1000499919903

The Universal Christ, by Richard Rohr

https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Christ-Forgotten-Reality-Everything/dp/059323832X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2N3ZYHSTTYT1R&dchild=1&keywords=the+universal+christ&qid=1616439119&s=books&sprefix=the+universal+christ%2Caps%2C1368&sr=1-1

Uncharted International: unchartedinternational.org

Music in this episode-

Smoke and Mirrors by Falls

Meet at the Cafe by Falls

All music licensed through soundstripe.com

In this episode, we dig into the history of Uncharted International; how and why it was started, and how it has evolved. We also have a frank discussion about the mistakes we made in our past, the pitfalls of running a non-profit organization, and what we’re doing to create a healthy culture of missions within our organization.

RELEVANT LINKS-

Uncharted International: unchartedinternational.org

-Music in this episode-

Smoke and Mirrors by Falls

Violet Collybia by Isaac Joel

All music licensed through soundstripe.com

On November 20th, Uncharted is hosting their first Global Day! This is a webcast event for the Uncharted family to learn about and participate in global missions—even while we can’t be together. Watch live for updates and new goals from our partners overseas, and join the community of believers in lifting up and encouraging Church Planters around the world who work every day to advance the Kingdom of God.

RELEVANT LINKS-

https://www.unchartedinternational.org/event

https://www.unchartedinternational.org/youtube

-Music in this episode-

Smoke and Mirrors by Falls

May Night by Isaac Joel

All music licensed through soundstripe.com

On this episode, we’re joined by our friend and partner Tim Heard from Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama. He tells us how Highlands has developed a flexible and sustainable missions strategy, what is so exciting about change, and how to make Global Outreach something for every person and every gift.

RELEVANT LINKS-

Uncharted International: unchartedinternational.org

-Music in this episode-

Smoke and Mirrors by Falls

Rosemary by Midnight Daydream

May Night by Isaac Joel

All music licensed through soundstripe.com