Thanks for the explanation on the founders circle. I’m curious: I know you say it isn’t meant to be representative with respect to diversity, yet YWAM has always said that the diversity of our mission is one of our strengths. Yet, if the circle is there to hear and share the central word of the Lord for the mission, isn’t it possible that there are insights missing? That the Spirit speaks through that diversity and so we must seek it out?
I really value diversity, especially as a result of living in very diverse communities for 50 years. I currently live in a YWAM property with about 150 to 200 (depending on the time of year) people from around 30 nations — Africans, Asians, South Asians, Latinos, Europeans, Americans etc. As far as we know, there has never been a more diverse mission movement in history. Our senior eldership through the years has often had diverse composition. A few current members are rotating off and among the new ones will probably be people from the pacific islands and South Asia. Because of the criteria, all members meet regularly through the year with a great diversity of people. Jesus began with 100% Jews from the Galilee region and the early church went on to be thoroughly diverse over a period of centuries. I also did not say that we “hear and share the central word of the Lord”, as you have written. The word of the Lord comes through whom he chooses, so it can start as a word in the most remote location, but as YWAMers hear it and recognize it, it can spread throughout the mission. The recent word from Tom Bloomer on pruning is a good example. He is not a Founders Circle member, but that word circulated and was recognized by many as being important.
Thanks for the explanation on the founders circle. I’m curious: I know you say it isn’t meant to be representative with respect to diversity, yet YWAM has always said that the diversity of our mission is one of our strengths. Yet, if the circle is there to hear and share the central word of the Lord for the mission, isn’t it possible that there are insights missing? That the Spirit speaks through that diversity and so we must seek it out?
I really value diversity, especially as a result of living in very diverse communities for 50 years. I currently live in a YWAM property with about 150 to 200 (depending on the time of year) people from around 30 nations — Africans, Asians, South Asians, Latinos, Europeans, Americans etc. As far as we know, there has never been a more diverse mission movement in history. Our senior eldership through the years has often had diverse composition. A few current members are rotating off and among the new ones will probably be people from the pacific islands and South Asia. Because of the criteria, all members meet regularly through the year with a great diversity of people. Jesus began with 100% Jews from the Galilee region and the early church went on to be thoroughly diverse over a period of centuries. I also did not say that we “hear and share the central word of the Lord”, as you have written. The word of the Lord comes through whom he chooses, so it can start as a word in the most remote location, but as YWAMers hear it and recognize it, it can spread throughout the mission. The recent word from Tom Bloomer on pruning is a good example. He is not a Founders Circle member, but that word circulated and was recognized by many as being important.