This is not the place for a theological treatise, but in the spirit of Erickson, current tendencies demand that we in the missions community be alert to maintain our theological awareness and doctrinal scrutiny more than ever. The IFMA is an association, not merely a fellowship of mission agencies. The strength of the IFMA doctrinal statement is in direct proportion to the doctrinal vigilance of each one of us, of each IFMA member mission. To erode is to diminish by degrees, or destroy by degrees. Webster says it is to eat into or away by slow destruction of substance, to wear away, to cause to deteriorate or disappear.
Erosion is a gradual process.
We do not want to look back and be surprised and aghast as we see our doctrinal seawalls deteriorating or disappearing. We must be alert to the waves and changing tides in our contemporary scene. The IFMA, each IFMA member mission, must be continually vigilant of its theological integrity. Probably a lot like mine, piled high with books and articles on planning, team building, vision, systems management, ad infinitum. You can empower your people, open your environment, and transform your culture.