Culture & Church Planting Understanding Cultures

Culture & Church Planting Definition of Culture Culture is the integrated system of learned patterns of ideas, values, behavior, and products characteristic of a society. Culture influences our perception of reality Men holding hands Cause of disease Acceptable food

Culture & Church Planting Elements of Culture Integrated - all the components that make up culture function as an interrelated unit Learned - culture is learned and passed on from generation to generation Ideas - language and mental images use to describe reality Values - the worth and importance of ideas and ethical standards Behavior - the observable actions of members of the culture Products - visible items utilized in the culture Society - organized interaction of all elements to accomplish its goals

Culture & Church Planting Areas of Cultural Diversity Gestures Language Personal space Physical items Life style Nucular- independent Patrilocal Extended Music

Culture & Church Planting Cultural Perspectives Ethnocentric - tend to see our culture as best View other cultures from our home culture perspective Every culture has it good and evil aspects

Culture & Church Planting Evangelism & Cultural Distance E-0 is Christians teaching nominal Christians of the same culture who attend their churches but have not made Christ their Lord. E-1 is where evangelism occurs among people of highly similar cultures in the same language. E-2 is evangelism among people in similar cultures but with differing languages. E-3 is evangelism among distinctively different cultures and different languages.

Culture & Church Planting Bridging - being able to bridge cultural barriers to effectively communicate the gospel. Problems with using nationals to avoid bridging. Support often goes only to supporting local preacher and not church planting How money is used is not known Gives people excuse not to go Tribalism, ethnic fighting, & clan animosity Nationals face obstacles

Culture & Church Planting How To Work Within A Culture Extractionism vs. Identificationalism Extractionism - is pulling people out of their cultural environment and into the missionary’s cultural norm. Identificationalism - is an empathy between communicants involving a compassionate, interpersonal, reciprocal sharing of feelings and concepts.

Culture & Church Growth How To Work Within A Culture Perspectives of Extractionism Learning Missionary has all the answers Really does not know the answers Expect to teach without learning to relate to the culture Relating to people People brought to their comfort zone Isolate themselves (won’t eat or sleep among) Don’t see local problems

Culture & Church Planting How To Work Within A Culture Perspectives of Extractionism Language Try communication without learning language Depend on translator Indigenous thought forms Keep western thought forms Will not see cultural dilemmas Ministry High use of institutions Superimpose their own cultural perspectives of think & organization of local people

Culture & Church Planting How To Work Within A Culture Basic invalid assumption of extractionism Assumes all people are the same Seldom focuses on a specific audience Outside support is generally approved Problems with extractionism Tend to westernize cultures High degree of dependence on the missionary Highly indoctrinated

Culture & Church Planting Perspectives on identificationalism Learning Learner first Teach with cultural perspective Relating to people Regard people as equals Participate in local customs (food, sleep, celebrate) Wisdom & education not the same

Culture & Church Planting Perspectives on identificationalism Indigenous thought forms Teach in a culturally understandable form Use illustrations in their cultural context Ministry Personalize ministry to the people Does not superimpose our own cultural thought forms or organizational ideas (e.g. decision making)

Culture & Church Planting Qualities of identificational thinking Compassion Enter into the suffering of other people Understand people’s life situation (Mt. 9:36) Interpersonal report Personal training Open home - friendship Being a part of the community Reciprocity - One another scriptures Transparency Sharing Empathy

Culture & Church Planting Inner & Outer Identification Physical conformity does not necessarily prove identification Things vs. People Heart felt empathy bring more than physical conformity

Culture & Church Planting Contextualization -- communicating the gospel in a new context in a way that is understandable to the recipients in order for them to do theology, develop church life, be involved in ministry that is biblically based and culturally appropriate. Identifying with the people helps you to contextualize the message better. Extractionism hinders one’s ability to effectively contextualize the gospel

Culture & Church Planting Cultural Adaptation Enculturation - the process by which a child learns to be a functioning member of its home culture. Acculturation - the process by which an adult acquires the knowledge, skills, attitudes, values, & behaviors to function within a new culture. Culture Jolts - experiencing cultural differences which one adapts to after an initial experience of newness and uncomfortableness. Culture Shock - experiencing cultural differences but not being able to adapt and live in harmony with the differences.