© 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center Living System Ministry The Great Transition The Shift of Western Culture

Primary and secondary culture  “Primary culture” Needs are met through interpersonal relationships, where family or community members share tasks or barter.  “Secondary culture” Needs are met through impersonal, secondary relationships, such as hiring a contractor and exchanging money for service. © 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center

The great transition Beginning around the 1950s, it seems the entire Western culture has dramatically shifted from being predominately: We call this societal change the Great Transition. © 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center Relationship- centered primary culture Construct- centered secondary culture

For example The use of work animals vs. tractors on U.S. farms Year: Animals: 21 million 11.6 million3 million Tractors: 0 920, million © 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center

Technology Our reliance on technology continues to expand at a rapid rate. Technology is now a critical component of our secondary culture. © 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center 2011: 331 million cell phone users 1984: 40,000 cell phone users

What does this mean? Technology is changing our culture and the way we relate to one another. What is the downside to this? Is our relational base the same? © 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center

What does this mean for Christianity? Can Christianity, which is nurtured through human relationships, thrive in the context of an impersonal, secondary culture? © 2012 Emmanuel Gospel Center