I have the unique opportunity to travel between North America and East Africa quite often. Ministry responsibilities require my presence on two continents. They are separated not only by distance, but also by culture. North America being historically a Western Judeo Christian culture. East Africa lies at the frontier of traditionally Eastern Oriental cultures. As missionaries, much of our advance training was focused on Cross-Cultural Adaptation. Knowledge and skills for Immersion, Infiltration and Impact. It’s one thing to “Go!” It’s quite another to be fruitful…especially if you find yourself in a Spiritually Hostile Culture.
“Westerners”, whether Christian or not, carry vestiges of a Christian heritage and worldview. What we assume as “basics” (i.e. human rights, rule of law, the intrinsic value of human life) are rare exceptions in historically Eastern cultures. This is not a disparagement. This is a bona fide anthropological and sociological fact. It has everything to do with the pervasive impact of Christ and Christianity on mankind. Where Christ is foundational, mankind thrives. Where He and the Gospel are absent from culture, mankind suffers under incredible bondage, oppression and corruption. This is true Historically, and Currently.
There was a time when the Christian missionaries launched from their cultural heritage of Spiritual Abundance (in Christ) to minister in faraway Eastern cultures in Spiritual Bondage. Thousands devoted their lives to be “Ambassadors of Christ.” With noble, righteous and holy aims: reaching the unreached, setting the captives free…making disciples of Christ in all nations. Countless missionaries endured the shock and awe of living in cultures untouched by Christianity. Seeped in idolatry, licentiousness, carnality and oppression. The Word of God explains “Why?”…
“We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the Wicked one.” 1 JOHN 5:19
The “Wicked one” continues his “sway” to this day. And seems to be doing a yeoman’s job of it. The Enemy of our souls has his foot on the accelerator. Down to the floor. The whole world is in an uproar today. Not just boisterous little identity groups…but entire nations. Indeed, even whole cultures. The Signs of the Times indicate a new season of unparalleled spiritual degression, cultural suicide and fashionable Paganism. Boston hosts “Satancon 2023”. Palm Springs boasts “Coachella”. Colorado churches provide Ayahuasca drug retreats. Wall Street sponsors Pride parades. As missionaries, we see the Signs of the Times quite starkly. It’s a new “shock and awe” of Cultural Dissonance for us…but in Reverse! Let me explain…
While in East Africa, I encounter pervasive Spiritual Curiosity and Sincerity amongst the locals. I can comfortably converse about “things of God” with everyone I encounter. Whether from the elite, privileged political class…or from the destitute urban slums, I can engage them, evangelize them, invite them, intrigue them….in things of Christ. Even pray with them. The prevailing culture is one of great Spiritual Interest… and Respectful Discourse. There is an ever-expanding Cultural foundation of Christ- like behavior, norms and attitudes.
It is an increasingly recognizable culture to me as a “Westerner”. If I ask someone if I can pray with them, I will never be denied. It is not mere courtesy to the foreigner. Nor some vestige of post- colonial deference. Our Pastors and Ministry Leaders receive the same reaction. These are the hallmarks of a society not only “touched” by Christ and Christian culture…they have largely embraced it…and made it their own.
Counterpoint: from the time I enter the airports in Europe and head back to North America, I experience Cultural Dissonance… in Reverse. Whether in mannerisms, clothing, conversation or interests, the prevailing theme is one of carnality, licentiousness, spiritual Apathy at best…and increasingly anti-Christian. I courteously engage in light conversation with people as I travel. All goes quite well. Until the point when they ask what I do for a living. Or I pull out my Bible to read. From that point forward, almost without fail, the discourse ends…never to be picked up again. From fellow passengers to ticket agents, immigration officials to storekeepers, the prevailing culture is one that I instinctively recognize. Afterall, it’s my calling to work cross culturally. What is it? In one word: Paganism.
The “West” is a post-Christian society. It is NOT “becoming” post-Christian. It is Here and it is Now! On the other hand, large swaths of the “East” are now bastions of fundamental Christian culture.
Case in point: the ongoing disintegration of main-line Christian denominations in the West. (Anglicans, Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians, etc). are in all sorts of theological turmoil over fundamental principles. Who has drawn the line in the sand? The churches in Africa and Asia! Who has stepped “over the line” into apostasy and heresy? The churches in the West! It is the bishops of Africa that are most vocal about the need to “return to our roots” as God-fearing Christians. By failing to recognize this epic Reversal, we are apt to continue on as before…and become increasingly irrational, ineffective and irrelevant in our own society and culture! Jesus rebuked the religious leaders of His day for much the same…
Jesus…said to them, “When it is evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the Signs of the Times.” MATTHEW 16:2
Where do we go from here? What are we to do? First, recognize (like Dorothy) that “we’re not in Oz anymore.” We all live in a new, foreign and increasingly hostile culture. With that in mind, we’d do well to begin ministering like missionaries in hostile cultures. Not expecting easy reaping, but rather hard-core sowing. Planting the first seeds of Christ and Christianity. We call them “Pioneers.” There’s much to be said here. More than I can fit into this brief. But a few basic “Do’s and Don’ts” of Basic Pioneer Missions Training might prompt some prayerful consideration…
- Don’t be the Christian caricature. Remove the Christian T-shirt, yard signs and bumper stickers.
- Don’t be Rude: crashing the Pride parade, blocking the downtown sidewalk on a Friday night, criticizing unbeliever’s lifestyles or beliefs. Do that as a missionary in a hostile country, and you’ll be thrown on the next plane.
- Don’t complain about Working among unbelievers. Missionaries pray for opportunities to find secular jobs in pagan cultures. It’s the most effective place to engage others.
- Don’t be a day-trader in Christianese rhetoric. Speak their “language”. Stop the Bold Font All Caps Red Letter KJV with unbelievers. Use the vernacular (but not the vulgar).
- Spend most of your time with Unbelievers. Be Sincere. Don’t befriend someone just to save them.
- Serve outside the Church tribe. Wash the Unbeliever’s feet. And don’t broadcast it.
- Start with Outcasts whom no one wants to deal with.
- Be an Example. They’re looking for the fraud. Don’t be one.
- Infiltrate Individuals, not causes,
- Be prepared to Suffer… God will allow it… because that is when they watch you the most!
The world is in the midst of “The Great Reset.” We need to make a Reset, as well. The Signs of the Times dictate as much. It’s high time we Reset our Great Commission approach:
Pioneers in a hostile culture. Infiltrators behind enemy lines..in our own land!