Published by The worship of God throughout the world is so diverse and is sometimes connected with a people’s culture. Many religions exist worldwide to sooth human’s deepest need for connection with the spiritual. Christianity has been adopted and accepted as the true worship of God in many societies and ethnicities, just as it should. The message of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that of reconciliation between humans and God. Scripture proclaims that Christ is the way, the truth and the life of the world, and no one can get to the Father (God) except through Christ, John 14:6.
Before ascension, Jesus commissioned His disciples to go “and make disciples of all nations” Mathew 28:19. Many missionaries have been faithful to this commission and travelled to many lands to introduce the gospel. Many have however taken their culture as opposed to the gospel and have caused more harm than good to the communities they have gone to. This is because they have gone with an attitude of superiority instead of humility and have tried to make the people they have ministered to change their culture as opposed to introducing the gospel.
Apostle Paul was a Jew but his ministry was to the gentiles. He writes concerning his ministry, “For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; and to the Jews I become as a Jew, that I might win Jews: to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without the law, as without the law ( not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak I become weak, that I might win the weak. —Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you” 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.
Paul in this statement gives important principles for ministry which are;
a) Find common ground with those you make contact with- The kingdom of God is open to all human beings.
b) Avoid a know it-all attitude- you could learn something from those you are ministering to
c) Make others feel accepted- they are fearfully and wonderfully made in the image of God
d) Be sensitive to their needs and concerns- please respect their culture
e) Look for opportunities to tell them about Christ- remember Christ is the agenda not you or your culture.
God honors and created our diversity and we must be respectful when we are relating to others who are not of our cultural heritage. The book of Revelation narrates how John saw in the throne of God “a great multitude —of all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues” ( Revelations 7: 9-10) all engaging in worship. These were not people from just one nation or race and neither did they speak one language; so respect this diversity for God created it for a purpose. Paul in the scripture quoted at the beginning of this article emphasises that everything should be done to the “glory of God” with the purpose of having those you minister to accept the good news of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.
So when you go on a mission start by knowing the people first. Respect their values and as long as what they do does not contradict scripture play along because of the love of Christ. And please do not patronise them because in reality you are not better than them. You are one of the many vessels that Christ has chosen for His use.
A very inspiring message relayed here.
This is very true.
I have taken four different evangelism classes and they all were right in line with what you were pointing out in your article. Good job, but not offending the un-churched is a task in itself since the gospel cuts like a 2 edged sword.
Good advice particularly point c0. id also add having an ear tuned to the holy spirit when talking.