World-Wide Christians
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Transcript of World-Wide Christians
World-Wide Christians
World-Wide Christians
I. We need an updated sociology:• Seamless Missions - We are the missioners…&
the mission field– 12% of USA are foreign born– Pennsylvania (2010)
• 5.8% of Florida’s population• Top countries of origin, India, Mexico, China
– 1/3 of America is unchurched• Highest among politically liberal and single
– Black/White divide in USA (12% African American)
Foreign-born in Pennsylvania
World-Wide ChristiansII. We need a Biblical theology
– Generic US Protestantism isn’t strong enough to ignite a missionary effort.• Gospel reduced to a “ticket to heaven” by a 1-time
sinner’s prayer. • It is not a robust understanding of salvation
(holiness).• It is anti-foreigners/sojourners
World-Wide Christians = Bi-Cultural Christians
IV. We need Bi-Cultural Christians• Not only caring about those who are different but
understanding (and liking!) them.• Not only caring about those overseas but those
around the corner. Is Mt 28:19-20 a missionary verse…or a church verse?
• Not only “inviting” but “going?” • What if every believer had a missionary intensity -
willing to sacrifice career, housing, schooling, nationalism to “go & make disciples ‘panta ta ethne’”?”
World-Wide Christians are Bi-Cultural
There reallyis a difference
Becoming Bi-Cultural:Understanding Cultural
Differences
2. Guilt, Shame, or Fear Based
1. Linear-active, Multi-active, or Re-active
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Linear Active Cultures
Germans, English, Americans
Task-oriented, highly-organized planners
TransactionalData oriented cultures
Believe in Sequence
Multi-Active Cultures
Mediterraneans, Latinos, middle-easterners
People-oriented, communicative inter-relators
RelationalOpportunity better than appointments
Believe in Spontaneity
Reactive Cultures
Finns Japanese
Introverted, respect-oriented listeners
Listening cultures
Guilt Based Cultures
Begins withInnocence The problem
presents as Guiltover infractions
The Solution isforgiveness
Holiness = freedomfrom grip of sin
Individual
It all orbits around
Goal is Well-being
Shame Based Cultures
Begins with Respect
The problem presents as Shame (before others)
The Solution isHonor restored
Holiness = healthycommunity
Community
It all orbits around
Goal isWell Being
Fear Based Cultures
Begins with Safety Problem
presents as Fear
The Solution isPower
Holiness = freedomfrom impotencein face of threats
External Beings
It all orbits around
Goal is Well Being
A Guess on USA Majority Culture
Begins With My Dreams/Hopes
Problem Presents asHopelessness(UnrealizableHopes)
The Solution is replace “me”with “Other” (God)Holiness =
Acting in Hope
Me
It all orbits around
Goal is Well-Being
Why culture matters to youA Latino/Anglo case study-How to avoid
the bi-cultural train wreck• Worship • Time• Planning and Committees
Worship• Praise
– Music• Clapping on 1&3 in Latino cultures, 2&4 in Anglo
– Silence or sound• Anglo model: The quiet whisper (individual) • Latino model: Acts 2 (group)
– Body movement • Worship emphases
– Anglo, on transformation– Latin, on power (feet of clay)
• Length of service
Time
Anglos…• time is mechanical (clock and calendar). It is an
objective reality. • are time-dominated and monochronic
(conceptualize sequence)
Time
Latinos…polychronic•“Time is event or personality related, a subjective commodity which can be manipulated, molded, stretched or dispensed with…” •Time is relationship, invest it on people•Saving time isn’t as important as experiencing the moment – sacrifice the future for the present.
Planning & Committees
• Planning– Anglo-imagines future and then works back to present– Latino-responsive, flexible, and improvisational but
future is unknowable
• Committees– Anglo: Check off agenda boxes and go home– Latino: Be together, build the team, react to what
comes up
Our Church’s Cultural Task: Becoming
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.”
I Corinthians 9:19-22
Our process for Becoming
Bi-Cultural:
Global Outreach Seminar
www.themissionsociety.org
Global Outreach Process for the Local Church
LOCALCHURCH
Global OutreachWeekend
Mentoring
ModifiedMentoring
Self-Directed w/
Training
Self Directed
GlobalOutreach
Plan
AnnualGlobal Impact Celebration
CatalyticEvent
Options for Next Step
IntermediateGoals
StrategicOutreach
Jerusalem
Judea
Sameria
Ends of the Earth
Long-TermGoals
Acts 1:8 Strategy
Kingdom Partnerships
Short-Term Missions
Globally Focused Giving
Praying for Global Outreach Mission Policy/Procedures
Go & Become! • Who should not sign-up?
– Your church has multiple ethnic groups/languages… AND
– Your church has global and local fruitfulness
Everyone else…form a line, no pushing, please.