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Between the booms
Don’t be fooled by their title, which implies the lack of a clear identity. Or by the fact that even by their own definition, Generation X-ers are the "in-between" demographic: in between the baby boomers and Generation Y, the so-called boomlet crowd. They are the people born between about 1960 and 1978. And while the generation immediately before them was boldly defining an era and the one right after them was echoing the boom, Generation X-ers were quietly, without drawing much attention to themselves, going about their work. They’re pragmatic. Industrious. Self-reliant. Which might be why you’ll often find them engaged in ministries that call on those very qualities. "English education is appropriate in China, because it is a need the Chinese themselves have identified," wrote James and Michelle Stabler-Havener, who teach English through the China Educational Exchange. "They have invited us to come and work with them to meet the challenge of preparing their society for the rapid social and economic changes sweeping the country." James Stabler-Havener is completing a chapter for a book to be released this fall that looks at the issue of Christian English teachers who serve in a foreign country. "Christian English teachers, like other missionaries of the past, have been accused of being agents of imperial power and morality—in this case, American," he said. "I suggest that Christians apply the missional implications of their presence as people of faith with transformed values to their English language teaching." In other words, he said, teaching English offers a practical opportunity to demonstrate God’s kingdom through their own lives, which have been transformed by Christ’s life and teachings. Educational ministry also plays a practical role at the Korea Anabaptist Center, where Tim Froese serves as director. The KAC offers a range of activities that include resources, service programs for young people and networking opportunities. Educational activities include seminars, presentations and short-term courses, as well as guest lecturers. "In Korea, education not only trains individuals, it also forms significant relationships and work opportunities and has played a big part in the development of the country's economy and church," Froese said. "The need for education in Korea is simply a fact of life, a cultural value. For our ministry not to have an educational component would be to disregard both a need of the people in my context and a significant opportunity for relationships, learning and sharing." KAC’s most recent educational program, Connexus, is an educational business that teaches conversational English to adults based on their language needs, schedules and perceptions of how well they are being served. Froese said they chose language training because words and language are important tools in learning and in forming relationships. (Note to fellow pragmatists: Connexus is looking for teachers with a “decidedly Christian perspective,” Froese said. For more information, go to www.Connexus.co.kr/english.) But if pragmatism and self-reliance are virtues, then honesty in such a context is equally important, Stabler-Havener emphasized. Workers who teach in host cultures with the hope of witnessing for Christ, he said, shouldn’t assume that, just because they mean well, everything will work out well. It’s important for them to be forthright and upfront about why they are there. "They must consider what values their presence will reflect," he said. Will they be purely American? Will they reflect a cultural form of Christianity? Or will they truly reflect the kingdom of God? Whatever their specific ministry, workers involved i neducational ministries say their role is both to share the gospel and to serve by example. “In recent years, I have considered that we are called to be teachers and learners together,” said Froese. In that sense, he added, education is an integrated process that involves mind, heart and body. And the teacher, as often as not, is also the learner. "Our teaching efforts are oriented toward helping people respond to the life and words of Jesus in a way that is to be considered obedience," Froese said, "which is just another way of saying, 'making disciples.'" Also in this issue: Features Highlights Highlights |
