MK forum

Correction: I used the term "NTM insider". In retrospect, I don't know what that will mean to anyone. So to clarify, I just meant that I am associated with one or more of the many organizations that make up "NTM". At this time, I am not a member of the NTM-USA branch.

OK, so the bottom line is that Tribers who are American citizens and "members" of the Church of New Tribes Mission, Inc. are still under the authority of the Executive Board, even when they are working in, say, Thailand.

Every "member" is responsible to their home church. But, their home church is not their employer; they only pay their wages (or part of their wages). NTM is their legal employer; can NTM fire their members without the acquiescence/ approval of that member's home church? If they can, then saying that members are "responsible to their home church" is an exercise in futility, if not deceit.

On a related note, does The Church of New Tribes Mission, Inc. still ordain people to the ministry?

Verily, What a great question!

When I was in high school in Brasil my friends and I actualy sat around and discussed this topic. All we came up with is that knowing God's will for an MKs life is extremely hard to know because a lot of Mks say that God is calling them to the mission field simply because that is where they have been all their lives, so some will go against God's true Will for their lives by going to the "mission field" (I say it that way because no matter where you work it is a mission field, some Christians just don't get that). Other Mks are so determined to live a "normal" life that they walk away from the missionary life despite what God is calling them to do. We had no answers back then either, just knew it was a tough spot for an MK to be in.

Also, one can be an effective witness no matter where you work. The "secular" world is in desperate need of good honest, Godly people as well and if you ignore this aspect of the world then you are greatly missing out on the people God sent you to witness to. My youth diretor in the the States used to close every single Sunday night meeting with the youth group by telling us that on Monday at public school we would be entering a government sponsored mission field, he was one smart man. I am just so tired of people telling other believers that the only way you can be a good Christian is to completely stay out of the "secular" world.

Denise. I don't believe that God has a specific will for our lives. A specific Plan. I know this goes against NTM's teaching. To claim that God has a will and a plan and is in control of my life goes COMPLETELY against what i believe is the basic reason for the creation of man. God wanted a creation that CHOSE to follow him believe him, have a relationship with him but most importantly , worship him. We choose to do his will if we choose to listen to our conscience and repent of wrongdoing, if we forgive, if we love him above all else and love Christ (our brothers in Christ) second. If we do those things we are doing Gods will. no matter where we are. That is what i believe.