Let's do fully orbed missionary work as did the early Moravians

Ed.: I have a concern and observation about contemporary Western mainline denominations.  

Reflect with me.

Too often what is called "missions" is another way of saying "social work." What so often passes as missions could be done by the Peace Corps. This is not to say that meeting human need is not a Christian priority. It is. But, meeting human need alone is not fully orbed missionary work. Meeting human need is what I call "horizontal ministry" - human to human. 

For a variety of reasons, alas, the mainline denominations which are more or less left leaning (Progressive) shy away from energetic "vertical Ministry". This is ministry where the church does missions the biblical way - horizontally and vertically. In a word biblical mission seeks to bring those who "sit in darkness" the saving light of Jesus Christ; and meet human need.

I see in my study of the early Moravians a profoundly more mature understanding of missionary - (1) Gospel presentation and (2) recognizing human hardship. 

Consider the following portion of a letter that Bishop Spangenberg wrote to Count Zinzendorf. In fact, the Count had died a month before the letter was composed but was unknown to Bishop Spangenberg.

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"Now concerning the Wachau (the land holding of the Moravian in NC) - I felt that I was leaving a land of the Lord; the brethren  and the sisters living there our dear hearts. More then 220 persons have taken refuge among the brethren, fleeing from the terrible hand of the Wild Men (American Indians). They are living among the brethren but in separate houses and huts. The gospel is diligently proclaim to them and not without works"  -- Bethlehem, PA - June 11, 1760

Note how the early Moravians did both horizontal and vertical missionary work. The bishop was right on target. May his tribe increase.