The 10/40 Window Problem/Solution

I right this post to address an issue of controversy, in which many have remained silent. There is a surge of influence and power flowing through independent churches and mission boards across this nation that must be taken notice of. It is not a theory, or a mere idea, but an active philosphy that is currently in place and operating within the hearts and minds of many of todays christians. It is a witnessing and missions philosphy, that is rooted in truth and solidity, but falters in its practice. Many hold to it, and more are swiftly seeing the advantages of it. However, few see the arising danger of this "helpful" little demon. But what exactly is this philosphy? Outside of pastoral circles it may not be terribly well known or understood.

This philosophy I speak of is the idea of the 10/40 window. Its sounds good to begin with, and no God fearing, people loving person would disagree with many, if any of its premises. But what exactly is it?

One of the leading proponents of this philosophy defines the 10/40 window as this:

 
The 10/40 Window is located from 10 degrees south to 40 degrees north of the equator, which includes Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.

• Nearly 4 billion people live here, including 90 percent of the world's poorest of the poor. It is estimated that 1.6 billion of these people have never had the chance to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ - not even once!
• The seat of every major non-Christian religion - Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Animism, Atheism, and Sikhism - is headquartered in the 10/40 Window.
• In many of the 68 countries represented in the 10/40 Window, witnessing the Christian Gospel means death. Truly, the 10/40 Window remains the darkest and most inhospitable territory to the cause of Christ and represents the greatest remaining stronghold of Satan.
• Two-thirds of the world’s population (4 billion) live in the 68 nations of the 10/40 Window.
• 95% of the people are unevangelized.
• 90% of the people are the poorest of the poor, averaging $250 per family annually.
• 43 of the 50 worst countries in the world for persecution of Christians are here.
• Only five pennies out of every $100 spent on missions goes to this desperately needy area of the world.
• Illiteracy is widespread.
• Terrorist organizations and child prostitution run rampant in many of these nations.
• Horrific abuse of women and children remains unchecked.
• Children as young as 18 months old are trained to be Jihad soldiers. 

 Now many may be wandering why exactly I have a problem with this philosophy? Why would any good christian have a problem with such statistics or ideas? The answer lies not in the statistics or the facts presented, but in the application of those facts. I would agree with any person who holds to this philosophy on "the windows" neglect by Christians, on its great need for evangelization and missionaries, but I would disagree on one very major point.

The great need of the 10/40 window does not mean the rest of the world should now be ignored!!! Many people in a place does not mean it needs missionaries more then the village of 300. The point many 10/40 window advocates would propagate is that since this part of the world has been neglected, we should be sending missionaries there, even if called somewhere else. The guilt trip is thrown out because, "God couldn't have called you to a place where His gospel already is. You need to go to the 10/40 window!!!" This is where I take issue with this philosophy. I was in a church some years ago and heard an evangelist of the 10/40 window conviction who made the statement:

 "The top five reached countries in the world are:

1. Brazil

2-4 (my memory fails to recall these. my apologize)

5. Canada

Why are people going to these nations 

that are mostly reached 

when there are hundreds of countries 

that do not have one gospel witness?"

First of all folks, does anyone know the number of Baptist churches in Brazil? Does anyone know the number of Baptist churches in Canada? In 2010 there were 234 Baptist churches that I could find. Oh yeah, that sounds like a reached nation to mean. They don't need anymore missionaries. (please note excessive sarcasm) Yeah, kinda like the USA is reached. (If you believe that check out bsalt.org) There are unreached people across your street! And you pastor need support just like the guy going to Canada, or Brazil, or Iraq, or anywhere else in this world God has given us to reach. The need of many does not negate the need of one. Get off your high horse. Your field is not more important than the next guys, nor is his more needy then yours. 

God has called each of us to a work. If He has called you, He will help and equip you. You DO NOT NEED TO PUT DOWN someone's work!!! When God wants people in the 10/40 window, He will call them there. You dont have to stomp on their field in order to support yours. I'm tired of hearing how your not called of God if your not going to the 10/40 window. When did the world get cut cut down to one geographical box?!? Get over it folks. Why cant we just be happy to have people going. With the direction of our world today we need all the missionaries we can get wherever we can get 'em. So lets stop fighting over the few that have surrendered and try to find the one's that God is still calling and are simply not responding. Lets work on getting everyone involved instead of trying to steal workers from one field to another. 

Now to wrap up this rather scathing criticism, I must emphasize that I am not hostile to anyone going to the 10/40 window. Lord knows those people do need the gospel greatly, but not at the exclusion of others. I'll be happy to see people called to the 10/40 window, but I'll be happy to see 'em going to Europe, Russia, Canada, the good ole USA, or anywhere in this world that God has called 'em. However, as you may well have reckoned, I am very hostile to anyone thinking they have a higher knowledge of the gospel need, and where God is calling people,  and a better field than the one the Lord has called me to. 

Folks, the Lord has called me as a missionary to Norway. There are two, yes TWO, independent fundamental Baptist missionaries in that country. Go ahead, tell me they are reached. Tell my dad Canadians dont need the gospel. Tell my college professors that they were wrong to go Brazil. Tell Bro. Steven Sykes that America is reached. And then tell your Lord at the judgment seat you cared about the lost and just wanted to see them reached. See if He likes your excuses and reasoning for discouraging whole world missions and slowing His witnesses, who are trying to raise support, but cant because you have poisoned the minds of Christians everywhere into thinking that "those people are reached."

Russell

Luke 15:10

"Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth."

"Christians" Who Ought to Be Quiet About It

Lost Person: "So your a christian?"

"Christian:" "Yeah. Its great. I love it. I go to such and such a church. You should come sometime. But did you hear about so-and-so? That  little (bleep) is such a (bleep)..."

Yeah, you get the point. 

We all know one. That "christian" who has to tell everybody about the church they go to, while theyre holding a beer in one hand, a ciggarette in the other, and puttin a sailor to shame with their speech. The preacher's kid who has a filthy mouth, a terrible work ethic, oh but a wonderful heart. The coworker that is proud they go to church with you, and you wish they wouldnt tell the rest of the world  about it. The christian guy who never attends church, but is ardent about sharing the gospel. Whats to be done about it? We are told to tell of our faith, but is this what our Lord meant? I must submit to you the answer is most emphatically no.

Two messages here. If you are on of the people I have mentioned above, first, please be quiet. Second, get in church and into your Bible. The problem is not one of you need to stop telling people about Christ, but rather you need to start living like you know Him. People like this hurt the testimony of Christians everywhere and will be held accountable for their negligence someday.

The second message is to those of us who know these people. First, dont be one of them. All of us (including myself especially) are prone to fall. Falling into sin is only natural. But libing in it is not. It is a disgrace to the love and sacrifice of our Lord. Do not allow yourself to be satisfied to wallow in the muck of this world. Step up and out. Christ has called you to a better life. Know also, the world knows how we ought to behave, so either step up to it, or shut up. Also, in exhortation, do not allow these kind of people to drag us down. Broadcast your faith, so that unbelievers know that not every christian is a hypocrite looking for attention. 

And so I seek to admonish all christians. Be the believer that stands for your Lord and represents Him well. Dont be the kind that other believers wish would just be quiet. 

East vs. West?!? No contest...

So what is this elusive difference between west and east? What makes it all so opposite? Is it the people? Is the landscape? Is it the attitude? The answer is...all that and then some. You might look at the general lay of the land and see the obvious difference. From being able to see a quarter mile at best (east) to 5 miles on a cloudy day (west), to the sprawling mountains that those of Kentucky and Virginia cannot compare, the west has a landscape That far outshines the east.

Or is it the people? The spastic "run for your life" style of the east in comparison to the confident laid back stride of a westerner. The "give me, give me, give me" of the east versus the "I'll get it myself punk." Dont get me wrong, both types of people are in both places, however there is an independence in the west that will blow the mind of an easterner. I make no claim to the distinguished title of a westerner, but how much better we might be if we all would stop thinking about what others can do for us and start doin for ourselves.

So there it is...the difference is an attitude. The American west is filled with people that were once easterners. The thing that moved them west was independence. Independence of spirit, independence of mind, and independence of government. This is not a condemnation of the American east, but rather a plea to those that still remain there. It is time we all return to the gun 'totin, God fearin, self reliant people we once were.

My two months in the west thus far has taught me many things, not the least of which is we must exit this entitlement "government help us" attitude. It is time to stand and be what we once were. If the people of this country return to our roots (which are laid in scripture by the way) we will see a return to what this country once was. America is not lost as long as there are people who are willing to act. God has been good and blessed us beyond measure. However, we must do our part.







And ps.....that means vote in November....and use your God givin brain when doing so.

So Why Are They Rants?

Today we have all these blogs with everyone publishing their generally non-important opinion so the world can see. These blogs run from your solid and genuinely decent blogs (such as jar of sense), and others....mostly from the liberals....are full of useless nonsense that nobody needs to write, let alone read. They are simply the outflow of these peoples thoughts. Its like typing thoughts on paper for the world to see.

My thoughts mostly come across as rants, although perhaps not so random. :) I have found that facebook doesn't have enough room in status', email is too narrow, and if people don't want to read these they don't have too. So as a forewarning, these may seem a little mean, but its simply how I think. The outflow of yet another stupid opinion to be added to cyber space. 

Prayerfully, at some point they will cary some importance. They will have some positive affect, or help some person in their christian walk.

All that to say this is an experiment. An experiment of this author to to see if I can sensibly transfer my thoughts to the typed page. It could be exciting, ridiculous, or off the wall, but honest feedback is appreciated. But be warned, the difference between facebook and a blog, is like the difference between the west and the east. If you dont understand that, I'll explain in the next "rant." :)