1. Effective Bridging and Contextualization26
Effective Bridging and Contextualization

2. Introduction
Thesis: you can contextualize the gospel without compromising it
Using communication bridges that are friendly and meaningful to the audience helps them understand and respond appropriately to your message.
Example: Humility

3. Foreign Message/Messenger
“bridging” helps you communicate a foreign thought to a willing listener
Strive to make the message natural and comprehensible
The NT examples show creative communication in cooperation with the HS
Put the hearers emotions at ease before sharing a message they may react to.

4. NT and Contextualization
Jesus, master communicator
Used the OT to point to scripture he fulfilled
His parables were natural, comprehensible bridges
Parables calmed the audience
Paul also adapted communication to bring clarity without compromise
Appearance of the messenger was addressed by both Jesus and Paul

5. Contextualization Critiqued
There is always the danger of compromise
Critics sometimes use “If…then” extreme scenarios; not a legitimate critique
The critics’ perceived “purity” of message doesn’t trump clarity
It is uncomfortable but essential to start where the listener is standing. (Koran for ex)

6. Contextualization Critiqued
Missionaries need to listen to critique and examine their practice.
They have the advantage over critics of having immediate feedback.
Critics do point out danger areas that a wise missionary will address
Critics need to move from the hypothetical to actual field experience – evaluate actual data from the field

7. Three Camps Traditional, Moderate, and Extreme contextualization
The fear of compromise is foremost
It allows misinterpretation through the recipients traditional religious views and prejudices (Koran)
Much fewer converts over time

8. Extreme Contextualization
Relate to other religions in ways that make traditionalists very uncomfortable
Will use insights from the listeners holy books to spur discussion and dialogue
Try to become as much of an “insider” as possible – takes them deep into hostile culture
Their reported fruit is their greatest defense, but there is an element of subjectivity
Note: they don’t necessarily compromise the gospel

9. Moderate Contextualization
Rely heavily on communication bridges
Goal is moving discussion from head to heart
Key characteristics are humility and sincerity
These missionaries practice CPM principles
Convert persecution is greatest with this approach: penetrate deeply into hostile community, and plant visible, recognizable churches
Reports say that this approach produces the most “fruit”

10. Where do you fit? Define the non-negotiables as an anchor
Our denominational statement of faith
Lausanne Covenant
Focus on connecting redemptively to the lost
The larger the group, the higher the degree of Contextualization
How deep into a hostile community do I want to go?

11. Conversing with the lost
Upon a first meeting, if before you part you share the gospel, then you have not crossed any line of compromise
Seems to have been Jesus approach (woman at the well)
Missionaries use different strategies to reveal themselves.
Months of friendship without declaring yourself was not a strategy taught by Jesus

12. Find a Person of Peace
Look for the person in a community who will start a church planting movement; not you
Look for the person who will connect you with a large number of others in the community
Listen to the Spirit’s guidance and be up-to-date on your demographic research

13. Four checks on going too far
Conversion – are lifestyles changing in a God-pleasing way?
Conviction: Is their thinking changing to a new sense of right and wrong?
Confession: Do they long to share their new faith with others?
Congregation: Do they desire to fellowship with like-minded believers and seekers after truth?

14. Conclusion
We are not in a “come and get it” ministry, we are taking eternal medicine to fatally sick people who have no clue to their disease.
We serve out of gratitude and so move out of our comfort zone to make the message plain