About Rod D. Martin
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by Matt Sliger
August 13, 2017
When Jesus said, “I’ll make you fishers of men,” do you picture an individual sitting on the edge of a pier with a rod and reel? Or do you imagine a group of fishermen, each one leaning over the side of a boat holding their part of a large net?
1. A Short Theology of Corporate Mission
Western Christians often imagine the former, due to a number of factors. First, misunderstandings of New Testament mission texts can partly be attributed to the way translators flatten the distinction between second person singular and second person plural pronouns. English translations rarely distinguish between “you” and “you all.”
Second, certain cultural factors color the hermeneutic of those raised in the West. That is, those conditioned by Post–Enlightenment thinking read their own presuppositions, largely autonomous and individualistic, into their Bibles. Therefore, if a mission text says “you,” we regularly assume a lone fisher sitting on a pier.
However, because the biblical authors often addressed plural believers, scores of mission texts in the New Testament employ plural pronouns. For example, Acts 1:8 could rightly be, “You all are witnesses.” Jesus’ earlier declaration should be, “You all are the light of the world” (Matt 5:14). 1 Thessalonians 1, 1 Peter 2, and Philippians 2 all include this missiological plurality as well.
First–century believers hearing these texts, without the individualistic presuppositions or translations of the modern West, likely assumed mission would be a corporate undertaking. Therefore, rather than choosing to evangelize alone, they engaged in God’s mission together.
This is because the God who saves individuals by faith alone does not save them alone. Further, the gathering of believers together and the mission given to those gathered people need not be dichotomized. Therefore, prior to the cumulative mission of individual believers, the mission of the local church necessitates communal mission by united believers. If God thought that isolated individuals would best propagate the gospel, why gather them into communities at all?
2. One Application of Corporate Mission
Just a few weeks ago, I worked my 20th Vacation Bible School. For the first time, however, I had a child old enough to attend. Admittedly, because a boy I named wore a nametag, my missiological antennas might’ve been heightened.
And here’s what I observed. During those few days of VBS, a number of my fellow church members greeted the kids. Others worked security. Some gracious volunteers watched little babies so husbands and wives could serve together night after night. In fact, one of those wives taught the children songs about the way, the truth, and the life. Meanwhile, other church members prepared chicken strips and served Capri–Sun. Thankfully, a young couple creatively thought of ways those kids could burn off some of the latter in the church’s yard. And each night, my fellow elder Chris––one of my son’s favorite adults––taught all the children about a King who’d come.
This group of men and women gladly gave time, energy, and giftings to get the gospel before these children, one of whom came home with me each night. Of course, while my wife and I retain the primary responsibility to teach that young man the gospel, some of my dearest brothers and sisters in Christ joined me for those few days. Further, in us gladly doing this together, we displayed before our children something of the gospel’s effect.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, there are times we’re so concerned about those who are not in our gatherings that we neglect those whom God walks through the door every week. In our setting, about 30% of our weekly attenders have yet to publicly profess faith in Christ. And most of those 30% also happen to be young enough to attend a Vacation Bible School. So every Sunday, as one volunteer greets at the front door, someone else changes diapers so yet another person can teach 4th graders the glories of the gospel.
The church’s mission isn’t merely one person casting from a pier; it’s a host of men and women holding their part of the net.
— VBS and the Mission of the Church originally appeared at Founders Ministries.
Rod is one of our nation’s leading minds. He’s smart, original, and very committed—a combination that one rarely finds.
Rod Martin is a Reaganite-Thatcherite conservative…[and] a man who has spent much of his life ministering to and working for the benefit of others. I know Rod as an advocate for freedom, a leader who understands the real changes we need in Washington, and who has the drive and ability to make those changes happen.
Rod Martin is the kind of dynamic leader who has the knowledge, ability and experience to lead us successfully into the 21st Century. His vision for America is compelling.
Rod Martin literally wrote the book on excellence. Humble yet brilliant, a man of love and compassion, with penetrating clarity he illuminates the world around us, and we are both stirred and enlightened.
Rod Martin is a born leader and an outstanding political mind. Anyone who takes him on is going to have a serious fight on their hands.
Rod Martin is a man of uncommon vision and character. Ever since I first worked alongside Rod in the early days of PayPal, I’ve been struck by his powerful vision for the future. Rod understands the intersection of technology, politics and culture in a way that few others do.
Rod Martin wears with uncommon grace an uncanny ability to link his vigorous faith to the practical challenges of both the business world and the political arena. Yet the respect he shows for others carries a warmth and modesty that are both too rare among those who are strong advocates of feisty positions.
America badly needs more leaders who really get the future. We need more Rod Martins.
Rod Martin is a modern day philosopher-statesman. He is a capitalist intellectual, a conservative iconoclast, a gentle adversary and a kind prophet. He inspires us towards a fresh national vision built upon the original founding principles.
Rod Martin is not only effective and efficient, but he is also perceptive, wise and gracious. He gets things done. He is a great friend and a great ally.
Rod is one of the sharpest, most gracious men I know, and one of the most gifted political thinkers today. His ability to analyze issues and communicate thoughtful insights on them have earned him the respect of people across the political spectrum.
I am proud to have been Rod Martin’s friend for a quarter century, and I can tell you that he is one of the finest men and most outstanding leaders in our church and in our country today. He has a knack for turning everything he touches to success.
Rod Martin is a cornucopian entrepreneur and eutropic thinker whose influence radiates through an array of companies, institutions, movements and churches. A renaissance American, he is also a prolific friend of freedom and faith around the globe.
If Rod Martin represents the next generation of leaders, America has nothing to worry about.
A leader and a servant, in public life and in private, Rod Martin strides at the top of his profession, and has nowhere to go but up. He is in the truest sense of the word ‘outstanding’.
Rod Martin is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished thought leaders today. He is a wonderful mentor, a humble role model, and a deep inspiration for the next generation of scientific innovators and entrepreneurs.
Rod’s achievements pale beside his character and his brilliance. He sees what others can’t. He leads when others won’t.
Rod Martin is one of America’s finest young minds.
The future of technology is the future of America. Rod Martin sees that future clearly, and also sees how to shape it for the betterment of all. He is firmly rooted in the traditions of faith and patriotism that have made America great. That’s why he has made, and will make, so many outstanding contributions in so many areas.
