When we were living on Guam as missionaries and I was doing classroom teaching and administration at PIU, the economy in the United States started to have problems. Many of the people and churches who were providing financial support for us could not continue to do so. We ended up having to return to the US because we were running out of money. I was, however, able to continue teaching from a distance and have even formed a small missions organization to help PIU and pay for the travel we do. I have a job in Florida that pays enough that I don't have to raise money for a salary. In this sense, I'm a tentmaker like the apostle Paul. He used his tentmaking skills to pay for his missionary activity. But even tentmakers need to maintain relationships with the shareholders who are investing in the mission. It can get even more complicated when there are competing shareholders on the mission field.
Please read chapter 15 in the textbook, "Relating to Churches and Other Shareholders" (pp 231-247 in the print edition, Kindle locations 6025-6570). This should give you an introduction to the complexity of this task. Then I'd like you to look at the case study, "The Authority Dilemma," (pp 246-247 in the print edition, Kindle locations 6527-6570). Send me a well-thought-out email that explains what the mission board's decision would be in Eileen's situation. Pretend that the email is actually coming from her mission board with instructions about what she should do. It should include a detailed explanation of their reasoning.
At the end of the email, I'd like you to tell me if they made the right decision. Give me your informed opinion about what they have done. There is no length requirement for this assignment but make sure that your thinking is well developed and informed by the reading.
This assignment is worth 30 points.
No comments:
Post a Comment