Significant discoveries often require unique combinations. As a pastor,
I have experienced that many times in my work ministry with different
denominations. It happened again when asked to represent INTERNATIONAL
STEWARD at the International Council for Higher Education meetings in
Switzerland. There we were in the beautiful Swiss Alps with educators
from Japan, Nepal, Ireland, Uganda, India, Europe, Israel and beyond.
Is there a translator in the house?!
I remember looking around the assembly room at the different dress and
skin colors…. and listening to the different concerns and struggles.
While they were all educators professionally, their concerns were so
different. Some struggling with accreditation of their small institutions
in developing countries, others with use of the best technologies to
deliver their product. Yet, Chuck and I were about to make a remarkable
discovery.
As we took our meals around small tables, again and again we exchanged
the purposes of our organizations. It was fascinating to hear from the
Dean of the Bible College of Ireland as he spoke of his dream of a new
church in Ireland that was free from the devastating political associations
that have so contaminated both Catholic and Protestant denominations.
Then there was Lok, an evangelist from Nepal, who is leading the way
in education in his country. Then came the moment of insight.
As we shared the work of INTERNATIONAL STEWARD we again and again were
met with curious replies that led to deep interest. "Could you
come to Ireland, to the Netherlands, to Germany, to Japan"? Then
came the opportunity we had to share with the whole assembly. INTERNATIONAL
STEWARD was enthusiastically affirmed and endorsed.
The world of Christian higher education around the world is opening
to I.S. For me it was cemented in a return brief visit with the Dean
of Tyndale Theological School in Amsterdam. He eagerly began to speculate
about the role INTERNATIONAL STEWARD could play in training Tyndale
graduates throughout Europe, in the principles of stewardship and fund
development.
What could be more strategic than to capture the hearts and vision of
the next generation of leaders in their "formal training"
years with a vision for funding their ministries with local resources.
What could be more encouraging than the chorus of affirmation and invitations
we received in Switzerland. A wonderful discovery made in a very diverse
gathering!
About the author:
Ben Ingebretson (M. Div., M.A.) is a pastor
in the Reformed Church of America and an adjunct instructor with INTERNATIONAL
STEWARD . He has worked with ministry leaders in Africa, Asia, Mexico,
and Eastern Europe. Ben recently authored "A Great Omission: The
Legacy of Economic Dependence in the Modern Mission Era." This
is INTERNATIONAL STEWARD’s first in a series of Foundational
Papers.
