Missionary Minds
Paul Schlehlein
From the rural village of Mbhokota in Limpopo, South Africa, hear from the mind of a real-world missionary of almost 20 years. Paul Schlehlein–or "boti Paul / mfundisi" (brother Paul / teacher) as he is addressed in the podcast–hails from Wisconsin, America but has left to cross the world, a culture, and a language group to go and minister to the Tsonga people of northern South Africa. With his knowledge of the scriptures, a passion for church history, and lessons from the field he seeks to speak on issues of the faith, the family, and the fog of worldview confusion that plagues our day.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 1, 2024 • 7min
What Should We Think About HIV/AIDS? (134)
AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and is a disease that destroys the body’s immune system, greatly lowering its resistance to infection. This disease is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, also known as HIV, which is transferred in blood and sexual fluids.
While there are treatments to slow the damage of AIDS, currently there is no known cure.
Sep 26, 2024 • 7min
Xenophobia and the Christian (TARIF 133)
"The church's role is not to police immigration, nor to adopt immigration as a political position. It may provide counsel to believers struggling with this, or assist believers to obey the law (financially or otherwise). "
Sep 24, 2024 • 10min
The Pitfalls of Paternalism: Why Foreign Funds Kill African Churches (TARIF 132)
"I am not promoting a new strategy. Many of the great missionaries of the past feared the results that came from paternalism. Western churches would raise funds to send out cross-cultural evangelists, but they rarely used this money to assist in local works and ministerial projects."
Sep 19, 2024 • 7min
The Redeeming Value of Rugby – How Strenuous Sport Helps Boys Become Men (TARIF 131)
The Springboks have inspired our nation because they have marched onto the rugby field to represent South Africa against the rest of the world. They have shown that South African men can work as a team to defeat adversity. They have been courageous, strong, skilful, and manly, and our young men would do well to imitate their example in these areas.
Sep 17, 2024 • 7min
The Pandemic that Is Still With Us (TARIF 130)
"If at all we are to overcome the pandemic that has gripped the African continent, our churches must be planting churches at a faster rate. There is far too much caution from churches associated with money and resources that hinder Gospel advancement, especially in the remotest parts of our countries."
Sep 12, 2024 • 10min
How should the Church in Lesotho respond to the problem of Suicide? (TARIF 129)
Trust God’s Authority over Life and Death (Deuteronomy 32:39, Job 1:21): Suicidal thoughts might stem from the desire to take control over life and death. Biblically, understanding that life is God's domain helps reframe the conversation around trusting God with our lives, even when it feels like we’ve lost control. This leads to a practical emphasis on surrendering to God's timing and will, and finding purpose in His plans.
Sep 10, 2024 • 12min
Marriage Procrastination: Eight Excuses for Staying Single (TARIF 128)
Is singleness a gift from God or a self-imposed curse? Tim Cantrell explores eight common excuses for delaying marriage and challenges the notion that it's better to be single. How should Christians navigate the issue of singleness? All this and more in today’s edition of TARIF.
Sep 5, 2024 • 10min
Dissecting Democracy: Is the ‘Right’ to Choose Right? (TARIF 127)
Someone once said that “Democracy is a slow process of stumbling to the right decision instead of going straight forward to the wrong one.” While this may sound witty, is it right? Which system of government is best and how do we make it all work?
All this and more in today’s edition of TARIF.
Sep 3, 2024 • 9min
What Bill Gates, Spurgeon and Muslims Teach Us About Bible Memory (TARIF 126)
"I’ve heard that billionaire Bill Gates memorised the Sermon on the Mount in his youth. His pastor offered him a trip up to the Space Needle in Seattle if he could memorise the 2000-word text. He quoted it without error. But today he’s an agnostic. All that flexing did him no good, just like the Jews that studied the Bible without ever finding Jesus Christ..."
Aug 29, 2024 • 10min
Sanctified Ubuntu: Loving One Another (TARIF 125)
In an era where individualism is rampant, selfless loving relationships are often missing. Neighbours remain strangers as technology envelops us in isolation. Social media compounds this issue, creating virtual realities where we craft controlled personas, often at the expense of genuine, face-to-face relationships. Our walls are high, our doors are closed, our neighbours are strangers, and our faces are glued to screens.
How do we foster close love and unity in the church?
