A relational thinker is a person who is able to relate the activities of his or her daily life to some greater purpose or goal.  For the Christian, of course, that greater goal is to know God and to make Him known to others. 

A person who learns to think relationally will experience some dramatic benefits: 

• Everyday activities of life and ministry become more meaningful
• Decision-making is facilitated
• Clarity of direction is sustained
• Ministry efforts become more effective

Jesus provides the ultimate example of relational thinking.  In his classic book, Master Plan of Evangelism, Robert Coleman writes: 

"His (Jesus') life was ordered by His objective.  Everything He did and said was a part of the whole pattern.  It had significance because it contributed to the ultimate purpose of His life in redeeming the world for God.  This was the motivating vision governing His behavior.  His steps were ordered by it.  Mark it well.  Not for one moment did Jesus lose sight of His goal."

Relational Thinking and Terminal Thinking Defined

As a minister to international students, you will be thinking relationally if you first set your goals and then organize your ministry to reach those goals.  By doing so, you'll be following the example of Jesus.  Basically, you should always know why you are doing what you are doing.

You will be thinking terminally, on the other hand, if you engage in various activities without having a clear plan in mind.  You may be busily doing good things, but you won't know exactly why you are doing them or how they relate to overall goals.   Activities done with terminal thinking are "terminal" because they are an end in themselves.

Imagine taking a number of boards, nailing them together, and hoping that if you nailed long enough and put in enough effort, you would end up producing a building.  That would be an extreme example of terminal thinking.  A relational thinker, on the other hand, would go to a blueprint to study the plans for the finished building, and then he would direct his efforts accordingly.

In a ministry to international students it is especially important that we are relational thinkers.  We will face many obstacles and distractions along the way.  The students may be quite busy with non-spiritual matters--they may struggle with English, they may be slow to respond to the gospel.  However, by practicing relational thinking we can maintain our motivation (we'll be reminded of these students' great leadership potential), and we can make wise decisions (choosing activities that are most strategic for "winning, building and sending").