At the beginning of his ministry, Jesus taught his disciples to pray, “Your will be done” (Matthew 6:10).
At the end, just before he was betrayed, he asked that the cup of God’s wrath be taken from him, but, otherwise, “Not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39).
As we start a new year, we often make resolutions to do better, or more, than last year. Usually, I fall far short of my expectations and plans.
Still, we must seek to know God’s will and make plans to fulfill the ministry that he has given to us (Colossians 4:17; 2 Timothy 4:5).
Jesus commanded his church, “Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20).
In short, we are to engage in evangelism of non-believers, and education and edification for believers.
Priorities and Prayers for 2023
With trepidation, therefore, but also in trust that God will guide and correct, I have tentatively set myself these ministry (as distinct from personal) goals.
Prayer
In addition to daily private intercessions, send out weekly prayer updates. To receive these, let me know.
Monthly theme-based prayer letters will continue to explore what we should be sharing with our Chinese friends.
Publications
Biographical Dictionary of Chinese Christianity (BDCC): Ten major stories and 15 shorter articles. Home | BDCC (bdcconline.net)
Introductions for two collections of my BDCC stories about missionaries to be published in China.
Finish writing Confucius Through Christian Eyes: The Sage and the Savior.
Ten book reviews, including five on volumes in the Studies in Chinese Christianity series. (wipfandstock.com/search-results/?series=studies-in-chinese-christianity)
Truth and Life: Doctrinal and Ethical Notes on the Bible. Continue working steadily on this large project. Books — China Institute (reachingchineseworldwide.org)
Academia.edu: Revise and post an introduction to Carl Henry; write an article on Henry’s apologetics in preparation for the Chinese Evangelical Theological Society meeting next January.
Personal Relationships
Visit friends in Virginia in February and in North Carolina later in the year.
Meet with Chinese friends here at least twice a month.
Attend and lead three meetings of the Board of Directors, in-person once in February and hopefully one more time.
Call members of the CI-GCC team, Chinese friends, and prayer supporters at least three times a week.
Correspond faithfully with several dozen people in Asia, North America, and Europe.
Proclamation
A lecture on Augustine to Chinese university professors and church leaders in October.
A paper for the Evangelical Theological Society meeting in November.
Perhaps one or more lectures for a Christian publisher in Hong Kong.
A Christmas message for Indian pastors and ministry leaders in December.
Continuing Education and Edification
Resume the regular study of Hebrew and of Chinese.
Attend two lectures online.
Read devotional books, Christian biography, books on the Christian life and on the family, Christian poetry.
Attend church and small group meetings weekly.
As you can see, these are very ambitious goals. Some of them are probably not God’s will for me! And only with God’s help can I fulfill any of these aspirations.
Please pray!