What’s your “expedition behavior” like?

I learned a new phrase recently while reading “Spaceman” by former astronaut Mike Massimino (you can read my review of that book by clicking here). It’s the term “poor expedition behavior,” something of critical importance when traveling in space.

Or on Earth.

Massimino explained the term was adopted from the story of Sir Ernest Shackleton, a polar explorer who led three British expeditions to the Antarctic. Shackleton is best known for keeping his men alive and engaged when the worst possible scenario became their reality, as one writer records:

    After the race to the South Pole ended in December 1911 with Roald Amundsen’s conquest, Shackleton turned his attention to the crossing of Antarctica from sea to sea, via the pole. To this end he made preparations for what became the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, 1914–17. Disaster struck this expedition when its ship, Endurance, became trapped in pack ice and was slowly crushed before the shore parties could be landed. The crew escaped by camping on the sea ice until it disintegrated, then by launching the lifeboats to reach Elephant Island and ultimately the inhabited island of South Georgia, a stormy ocean voyage of 720 nautical miles and Shackleton’s most famous exploit.

The challenge Shackleton faced was keeping his men from losing hope, panicking, and doing something that would hinder their chances of survival. Massimino wrote in his book that “poor expedition behavior” is something astronauts must defeat before ever going into space. Traveling in space is a dangerous job that requires everyone to do their jobs well all of the time — positive, productive “expedition behavior” is necessary to safely travel in space and to accomplish the objectives of each flight. That’s why astronauts train, practice, and rehearse their flight responsibilities over and over and over and over and over again, for an extended period of time, before ever being sent into space.

Positive, productive “expedition behavior” is an important element in the church as well, if we’re going to work together effectively to accomplish the mission God has given us as being ambassadors for Christ to a lost world (2 Cor. 5:18-20).

In Acts 13, we have in the biblical record an example of “poor expedition behavior.” For a reason not explained in the text, young Mark abandoned the mission he was on with the Apostle Paul …

“Paul and his companions then left Paphos by ship for Pamphylia, landing at the port town of Perga. There John Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem. But Paul and Barnabas traveled inland to Antioch of Pisidia,” Acts 13:13-14.

For some reason, Mark dropped out. To the Apostle Paul, Mark had failed his team and, thus, was unreliable. Paul didn’t want Mark to be part of another expedition …

“After some time Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.’ Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus. Paul chose Silas, and as he left, the believers entrusted him to the Lord’s gracious care,” Acts 15:36-40.

To the Apostle Paul, being dependable in one’s responsibility to the kingdom of God was so important that, if he didn’t think he could rely on you, he didn’t want you on his expedition.

The late Bible scholar, Howard Hendricks, reportedly once told his son Bob, “Be so dependable that if you say you will be somewhere and don’t show up, they send flowers.”

Mark may have started off with “poor expedition behavior,” but he was able to redeem his credibility with Paul as being a valuable team member …

“Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry,” 2 Timothy 4:11.

As you know, Mark would go on to write the Gospel that bears his name. He had worked through his “poor expedition behavior” to develop a positive, productive “expedition behavior.”

What is your “expedition behavior” like? Can you be counted on as a team member with your church, on expedition to proclaim the Gospel where you are at?

Scotty