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Dynamic gospel
"Preach the gospel at all times and, when necessary, use words." — St. Francis of Assisi People in urban congregations share their faith in many ways. Some preach the gospel at all times without using words. Others encourage direct, verbal witness as essential to the gospel. Both have measured success. Either works well within a group that shares the same culture. But either may have serious deficiencies when approaching a different culture. How can we be culturally sensitive as we proclaim the good news in both word and deed? In a multicultural environment, our first step will be to approach others with respect and the knowledge that the Spirit has been present long before we got the urge to share our faith with them. We insult others and God if we assume we are the franchised outlet for Jesus. Such an attitude gives evidence of cultural bigotry, not gospel compassion.
Multicultural environments require a wholesome awareness of cultural differences, power dynamics, language and religious diversity. Such dynamics, when correctly understood, aid in a faithful telling of Jesus’ story and facilitate a positive reception. Important elements for approaching other cultural groups encompass relationships, language, aesthetic values (such as music), history, religion and world view, and economic and political systems. We must be aware of these dynamics before we embrace people from cultural groups that are different from ours. Perhaps most important, we need to understand how different cultures understand power. Church leaders from North America need to recognize that the Bible speaks to the powerful and powerless differently. (Exodus 14:21-29 describes the imbalance of power between Pharaoh and the Israelites and makes for a good Bible study on this issue.) For North Americans to be faithful witnesses to the gospel, they must explore questions about their audience's context, such as: Who has power and who does not? In a multicultural context, we may find ourselves shifting back and forth between the two. I know I have. God has placed us in urban contexts so that we, urban Mennonites, may share all of Christ with all of creation. With sensitivity and respect, let us embrace the many people and cultures in our neighborhoods with the nonviolent gospel of Jesus Christ. Dick Davis, of Dallas, is minister of urban ministries for Mennonite Mission Network. In this issue: Features Highlights Viewpoints |
