How to Write a Theology of Risk Statement

“What will cause you to give up?”

-Anna Hampton

Writing a Theology of Risk statement of conviction is not a common practice among sending agencies, although many have incorporated a theology of suffering statement. Having one sentence that incorporates both is stabilizing when facing risk and danger.

We moved to a war zone well-prepared for the high possibility of suffering.

Even though we each had extensive overseas experience before we moved to Afghanistan, we were entirely unprepared in how to deal with risk.

Seen poverty?  check. (slums of India, orphanages in China).
Seen unrest? check (coup and evacuation in Albania).
Seen conflict? check (2nd Intifada in Israel).

So we went to Taliban-controlled Kabul, Afghanistan, confident we were prepared.

We weren't.

We had no grounding in how to make decisions in risk. How do we deal with lack of "fruit" in risk when there were constant fatwa's being issued by the Mullahs against us and our engagement with the people. We knew that we ourselves had no clear grid for understanding how to make decisions in risk.

The Holy Spirit is so helpful in times like these, because His voice helps us know what the next step is.  He truly is the Helper. 

However, with extensive reflection and research, we’ve learned to how to create a guide for how decisions can be made in witness risk, and how we can know that we have been thorough in our reflections, analysis, and listening to His voice. 

This is why the "how" of how to write a Theology of Risk statement is reserved for a later section of the RAM Action Guide. We actually don't even address it during the 2-day RAM Training or in Facing Danger. 

The reason is two-fold:

1. We want to explain all the aspects of risk that go into developing a theology of risk before folks write their statement.

Some in the global Church assume that a theology of risk is somewhat unrelated to how we do physical danger risk assessment. Bifurcating the physical realm and the spiritual realm is un-Biblical.  Both are connected and part of risk assessment. Others in the global Church tend to view physical danger risk assessment as un-spiritual, not relying on God. That is also un-Biblical. God asks us to use our minds and His people to help us - we were meant to live in community (Gen 1-2), not alone. So having an understanding of the totality of Risk and what is incorporated into a comprehensive Theology of Risk is crucial.

2. Writing a TOR statement requires reflection on His Word and who He has created each person to be and what His purposes is for each person in risk. 

It's a uniquely, personalized, individual statement. It most likely cannot be done in a training session, but in time alone and reflection, later on. The statement my husband and I created before we went to Afghanistan the first time has been a stabilizing force for us whether overseas facing risk, analyzing security reports, as well as back home when we face challenges here.

Some questions to ask yourself:

• Why do I do what I do?

• Why do I choose this lifestyle?

• Why do I choose to place myself in a life situation where I live financially on faith that people will give?

• Why do I choose a public lifestyle where people feel free to ask me hard questions they would never ask others?

• Why do I choose to place myself in situations where I may face criticism and slander?

The Theology of Risk statement is a statement of calling, of purpose, and of clarity of what we are about. 

• Some days, yes, I want to walk away and leave it all and live a life of quiet solitude and peace where we are longer subject to the challenges we face.

• Some days, yes, I want to live blissfully ignorant of security concerns around the world.
  
  

But then I remember what He has called us to and what we are about. And I am strengthened by His Spirit and Word to press on another day. Many are dying every single day who have never heard the Good News of Jesus Christ. Our challenges here pale in comparison to what they face.

Here from page 68 of the RAM Action Guide is a suggested guide I wrote for how to put together your own TOR statement.

Write a Person Theology of Witness Risk Statement

Write a personal statement of conviction on witness risk. This is a short explanation of what you will grasp tightly to in risk. Break this down into the following steps:

1. Identify a verse or section in the Bible that ministers to your heart and causes that “didn’t our hearts burn within us?” feeling. Summarize that verse or section in your own words, using verbs and adjectives that resonate with your passion and heart for your calling.

2. Make sure that part of your personal statement includes a conviction about how you will act when hardships come. We see this principle clearly demonstrated in Psalm 46, where the psalmist declares how he will respond before anything bad actually happens. This is an essential aspect of a theology-of-risk statement.

3. Put it all together, refine it, and then request feedback from a few trusted people who understand what you are trying to do.

4. Teach it to your children as young as possible. Print and frame it, and then put it in a place where you will be reminded of it every day. Review it regularly so it becomes part of you.

Here is one sample which combines both a suffering and a risk statement:

Our purpose is to live by simple trust and confidence in God, unflinching, unawed, and undismayed by the troubles we may face, holding staunchly to our calling and enduring steadfastly with our gaze fixed on Christ (Hebrews 11:24–27).