Episode 15: The Gospel and Compassion | Bill Meier

Episode 15 of Jesus and Jetlag features Bill Meier, President and CEO of Kingdom Workers, a global Christian non-profit organization. This episode delves into the concept of holistic gospel ministry, emphasizing the integration of gospel proclamation and compassionate service.

Key Discussion Points:

• Holistic Gospel Ministry: Bill Meier advocates for a unified approach to ministry, where acts of kindness and compassion are intertwined with spoken gospel proclamation. He stresses that both aspects are essential and originate from the same divine source.

• The "Social Gospel" vs. "Evangelical Gnosticism": The conversation addresses the historical tension between emphasizing social ministry and the fear of diluting the gospel message. Meier explains that while acts of kindness are commanded and celebrated, they do not replace the verbal proclamation of the saving Word. He also critiques the idea that helping others is only a "bridge to the gospel," arguing that the primary motivation for helping should be the need itself.

• Strategic Outreach and Local Operating Systems: Meier highlights the importance of strategic thinking in ministry, adapting outreach methods to the specific needs and context of a community. He encourages understanding and leveraging "local operating systems" – the cultural systems people use to communicate, collaborate, and execute plans.

• The "Peak" of Ministry: Instead of viewing the balance between proclamation and compassion as a "middle ground," Meier describes it as a "peak" where both sharing Jesus' identity and helping those in need are constantly and unabashedly pursued.

• Real-World Examples: Bill Meier shares powerful anecdotes from his experiences in Zambia, Malawi, and Indonesia, illustrating the impact of integrated ministry, particularly in serving people with disabilities. He recounts stories of churches transformed by serving their communities and the long-term relationships required for sustainable ministry.

Resources Mentioned:

• Cultivating a Culture of Compassion essay by Pastor Ryan Kolander

• Christian Compassion throughout the Centuries essay by Dr. Glen Thompson

• See How They Love One Another! The Ministry of Compassion in Scripture and Early Christianity to 300 AD. esssay by Dr. Keith Wessel

• Mercy Booklet Series from the Confessional Lutheran Church Missouri Synod

• The 3D Gospel by Jayson Georges

• When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert

• The Meros Center website - A Research and Training Center for Christian Health Ministry

Common Terms and Links on Jesus and Jetlag

• WELS = Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (wels.net)

• WLS = Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in Mequon Wisconsin (wisluthsem.org)

• Collection of Confessional Lutheran Essays

• BWM = WELS Board for World Missions

• CELC = Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference

• CICR = Commission on Inter-Church Relations of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

• Vicar = a pastoral intern in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran system

• Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly (WLQ) - A theological journal, published by Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, that aims to serve pastors and theologians with scholarly articles, book reviews, and reflections on contemporary theological and pastoral concerns.

• Pastoral Studies Institute of Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary

• Asia Lutheran Seminary

All commentary, statements, and discussion on this podcast reflect the knowledge, insight, and experience solely of the individuals presenting and featured on the podcast.