McDonald's, Mission Adventures, & the Release of the Apostolic

What business is McDonald’s® in? When I ask that question, most people’s answers have something to do with cheeseburgers and french fries. It’s apparent to everyone that McDonald’s® restaurants exist to sell American style fast food.

Robert Kiyosaki, author of the book Rich Dad, Poor Dad, argues that while it may be true that McDonald’s® franchisees are in the burger business, McDonald’s® Corporation is not. The corporation is really good at finding the right location for a new restaruant. They’ve spent a lot of money and time developing a system that analyzes traffic patterns, demographics and who knows what else in an effort to pinpoint the best place to sell cheeseburgers. They’re in the real estate business.
I have to admit, I’d never thought of McDonald’s® on that level before. I began to think about Mission Adventures and YWAM in general. I asked God, “What business are we in?”

It’s A Triangle

At the WAVES Gathering in 2002, Darlene Cunningham came and shared with us about what God had been saying to her and Loren. She drew a triangle for us. The corners were labeled “Freedom in the Spirit,” “Spiritual Eldership” and “Relationships.” She said this was they way we as a mission were held together. This triangle challenges the idea that YWAM bases are autonomous. We’re not. We have common vision, values and relationships. Yes, we have freedom in the Spirit in that we are led by the Spirit of God into what we are to be about. Yet that freedom is tempered by our submission to authority over us. This is not a controling kind of authority. And of course, our relationships with one another make this work. 

Then in the center of the triangle, Darlene wrote “The Word of the Lord.” She said that the three on the corners were in submission to what God has revealed to us through the Bible.

Or Maybe It’s a Tent

As Darlene drew this for us, I saw it in three dimensions, like a tent or a pyramid. The three corners were held up by the central column of the Word of the Lord. Ideally, all three would be in perfect harmony, with the Word of the Lord absoulutely upright and in the very center. If any one of the three corners became overemphasized, the whole thing would lean one way or the other, and not be a pure representation of God’s design.

The Release of the Apostolic

Inside the tent or the pyramid was where God releases the gift of the apostolic. The perfect harmony of freedom, under eldership, in relationship, all in submission to the Word of the Lord creates an atmosphere where God allows the apostilic call to come forward. It’s this environment that YWAM is intended to operate.

So what does apostolic mean? I don’t think I have full understanding of it, but what I do know is that the apostle is a pioneer. They’re called on to do new things in new ways. They’re the ones who go in first and create where nothing existed. Often times apostles excercise gifts in prophecy, evangelism, in pastoral care, and in teaching. YWAM is full of apostles. 

The Business We’re In

So what “business” is YWAM in? What was God’s purpose when He gave the vision of waves to Loren Cunningham? What does God see when He looks at the mission? I think one of the answers we can give to these questions can be found in our motto: To know God and to make Him known. We express our motto through evangelism, training, and mercy ministry. But in light of the pyramid, I think these are YWAM’s french fries.

Now I’m sure there are a number of complimentary purposes that God has for the mission. But I wonder if maybe the real business we’re in is the release of the apostolic call. After all, aren’t we about loving God in such a way that we align ourselves with His purpose? And isn’t His puprose to be worshipped? And don’t missions exist because worship doesn’t? If we’re to see worship exist where it doesn’t, it’s going to require apostles to go there. Perhaps YWAM’s business is really about creating an environment where apostles can be grown and released so that God can be worshipped everywhere.

Implications for Mission Adventures

So what might this mean for us who are involved in Mission Adventures? I can think of three things. 

1. We are to operate within this harmony of freedom, eldership, and relationship, all in submission to the Word of God.
2. The kids who participate in our programs should get a sense of the apostolic nature of our mission. This sense should create an appetite for further involvement with us.
3. You can be an apostle. Mission Adventures is meant to give you an opportunity to create a program where there was none. The Spirit of God is in you and you can excercise prophetic, evangelistic, pastoral, and teaching gifts God has placed in you.

I want you to prayerfully consider this with God. Ask Him if your ministry is contributing to the release of the apostolic call. Is it a place where the kids, your staff, and even you can get a sense of this release? This can even mean that you can be involved in pioneering a new Mission Adventures effort on another base or in another nation.

Comments

[Erica NZ]

"Like"

[wade]

Thanks Craig, I really like this diagram - especially with the whole balance concept. In the past I have seen some YWAM leaders really one sided when it comes to this type of diagram, which has caused me to lean way in the other direction. However I can see how a healthy mix of all these different components works well.
I'll be using this tool with our leaders in NZ too.

Thanks