16 November 2007
Contemporary vs. Relevant, Part I
TWO THINGS FIRST
Well get to the post for today in a moment, right now, this and this is more relevant (sorry, couldn’t resist)…
Don’t forget that this is the weekend that THANK . FULL comes to life! So remember to bring your bag (or bags) of non-perishable items to Southbrook Church during the service you attend and leave it in the area designated. Don’t just leave it wherever because we are expecting a couple thousand of these things! If you are not sure what to bring, call the church, or read the label on the bag you picked up at SCC. If all else fails, zoom in on this picture and read it there!
And, also, we are celebrating more Christ followers as they profess their love for Jesus through baptism. Make sure you come out and support them immediately after the 11:30 service at the heated pool.
Now, on with today’s post.
I know, I know.
I’ve touched on this before, but not much has changed, so I’ll try being a voice crying out in the wilderness on this subject, one more time (or how ever many times I feel like it 
).
I thought of the many missionaries we’ve sent out in the short history of our church — long term, short term — local, international. You name it, we’ve done it. But here’s an approach we haven’t tried. I’m going to describe it to you because it is extremely popular in the US, even though its effectiveness still hovers around zero.
Go figure.
And keep in mind that this is particularly baffling in light of the fact that the rest of the world seems to have discovered the uselessness of this approach and pretty much discarded it all together.
Anyway, here it is.
Let me describe what it would look like from an international missions angle.
Let’s say Joe and Suzi Smith want to go to France to be “missionaries.”
So far so good, right?
They begin seminary training, raising support, studying church history and learning how to live on a budget.
Still with me?
Good.
Next, they set a departure date, find a place to live in Paris, France and immediately hit the streets telling all the French people about Jesus…
IN ENGLISH!
…with a Southern accent!
…wearing T-Shirts that say things like, “Honk if you love Texas!”
…asking where the nearest McDonald’s is because they don’t really like French food or trying new things.
…They find a local school (Christian and English speaking) for their sweet little cherubs…
…They often talk aloud of their observations of how rude they think the French are…
This goes on for 12 months.
And, at the end of the first year cannot (for the life of them) figure out why, not only has no one shown ANY interest in Jesus Christ, but also, no one seems to have the least bit of interest in THEM!
Sound crazy?
Sure it does. And you hardly ever hear of this because most mission agencies understand the importance of completely immersing their candidates in the culture of the country they wish to reach in order to have even a shred of hope at reaching those people.
Last time I checked, you weren’t exactly a shoe-in simply because you are American. Just the opposite. Thus the importance of understanding foreign cultures BEFORE you attempt to engage them with the most important message in the history of the world!
Yep, that’s a bit of a no-brainer.
Then why is it that a majority of the “church” in America totally disregards this same logic when trying to reach people right here at home?!
Good question.
We’ll take a close look at it in my next post.
10 Comments currently posted.
Kate says:
Jacob says:
Good post.
We don’t do it the same way in the states because the church here lives inwardly focused. We’re so concerned about being “holy” that we completely miss the concept of being “not of but in,” and make ourselves “not of and not in.”
That’s why the Christian sub-culture exists. That’s why we have Christian radio, t-shirts, bumper stickers, schools, music, coffee mugs, jewelry, etc. etc. etc.
Here’s another question: Why is it that churches will donate a lot of money for couples to learn a foreign language and go overseas to reach people, but no one will learn spanish for the scores of hispanic people in the states?
Adios Senor.
Church 2.0, Church Relevance, and Link love from Rob Singleton! « Compassion in Politics says:
[...] blog also joined the Utterz community. In even bigger cultural issue, he’s taking up Church Relevance and cultural engagement as [...]
Matt and Dee Langley says:
We too have noticed some quirky and interesting things about Christian sub-culture. It all starts with where one’s heart is and also where “the world” perceives it to be by our words and actions. Take bumper stickers for example. I know that everyone has seen the bumper sticker “God is my co-pilot”, right? (I know Jay has ; ) It has always struck us as funny, shouldn’t God be our pilot? The answer should be a no-brainer. If you make Him your “co-pilot” that tells me that you have the power to totally control almost everything life throws at you and will occasionally let God take over. Sorry, but I think that is a dangerous mentality. I know it may seem like nit picking but if you have one of those bumper stickers on your car prayfully consider what you are saying. Now that I have written this response I am going to look around the parking lot this weekend. Sorry if I have offended any pilots but it is just MHO.
Amanda says:
So very true..I think being American, we expect people to speak english or do the same things as we do..spiritually, physically, culturally…everywhere we go. You hit the nail right on the head with this Rob..can’t wait to read your next blog 
Jay Foreman says:
I just love relevant stuff. Especially when it’s relevant.
Next week, we’ll be with our relatives… I’m not sure of the relevancy there but they are relative (s).
meanwhile.., here’s a way to be relevant this week while the turkey is thawing. The thawing will take SEVERAL hours, this will only take a few minutes, promise.
go to http://jayforeman.blogspot.com/2007/11/few-of-my-favorite-things.html
And when your finished…Fill your bags and bring them in.
Stephanie says:
Such a good point- I know with two sisters who have gone into foreign ministry they have had to really submerge in the cultures they wish to reach to be effective and respected.
I have a theory about why the church is so inward…..it’s easier. Well, most people THINK it’s easier to act like a Christian around other Christians (of course previous blogs and personal experiences can disprove this idea) It’s like- if we surround ourselves with other Christians only and our real selves (messed up and human) come out, then it’s all about God’s mercy and grace and forgiveness so our flaws are sort of okay. If we dare to show our flaws around non-Christians, many feel as though this discredits them as being a “good Christian” and therefore makes any type of outreach impossible. I always beg to differ. I try to point out to my non-Christian friends that my struggles are not that different than theirs- and are sometimes the same!! We need to help spread that old cliche- Christians are far from perfect- just forgiven! And speaking for myself on a daily basis- thank goodness!!! 
Rob says:
Isn’t it funny, Stephanie how missionaries seem to “get it” while the rest of us seldom do?
I guess that’s because it’s easier to live in a sort of Christian fantasy land here in America while forgetting that there are lost and hurting people out there who need us to learn enough about them (and to love them enough to learn) to reach them effectively.
Terri Crites says:
What a great blog. I was talking to my very best girlfriend the other day and she commented—how very sad it is that we as Christians have to be so “correct” in our speech regarding our feelings—-she said “I am depressed, I feel discouraged” “why do I have to go to go to work (at her church) and say “i’ve lost my Joy”!!!!!????? Why can’t we be real?????
How in the world are we going to reach the lost when we speak a totally different language—it may be english—but— without getting real, we will never touch the lost or be an influence in their lives.
You are 100% correct Rob, how do we reach the lost while we (including me) live in a Christian fantasy land where all is well and life is grand???? (on the outside)
I have to be the first to admit, my Christian fantasy land has been very familiar and it is very difficult to step out of it.
(this is probably much more transparent than I would like to share in a blog, but, that may just be the point!!!!)
Elizabeth says:
Rob
One of the things that kept me away from church were the fake people. You know the ones! They come in with all their fancy clothes on, hair done just right, smiles and hugs everyone they see. But when service is over they would come into restaurants that I would work at and have the worst attitudes and their language was worst than a drunken sailor. I even attended a church that appeared great on the inside of the walls, but was really a den of thieves and full of false hopes.
I know that no one church is perfect, except the one in heaven, but people who don’t know Christ just want you to be real with them, Talk to them without judging or prejudices or putting them down. We are all trying to basically do the same thing in life. Survive. And ALL of us have sinned and fall short of his Glory. To be able to share with others our Joys our Sorrows our Fears and our Dreams is really a Blessing and it fills your heart with so much Love and Joy.
Thank you Rob for all that you do!! And Thank You for Keeping it REAL!!
Rob, great point. I can’t wait to take a closer look at this in your next post!