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It was assumed for many years that christians were somehow removed from culture, and that the message of the gospel was a-cultural - timeless, if you will, without influence in the places where it was anchored. In more recent years we have come to recognise, and own, the impact of culture on the way in which we have proclaimed the gospel, often in ways which did significant damage to indigenous peoples. At the same time, we learned to critique our own cultural contexts in order to more effectively minister. Some have done this exceptionally well, at least as far as measurement based on numbers of people in churches is concerned. In many ways we have waded unwittingly into the territory of merely imitating culture, and rendered ourselves compromised, if not powerless, when it comes to the task of transforming it.
What is the way forward?
We can satisfy ourselves that we are merely being faithful by not engaging with the surrounding culture - the way of the Amish (at one extreme) whereby we are regarded as a curio... exhibting some merit, but not necessarily offering a replicable pattern for the broader community.
Culture is almost always global AND local. We find ourselves intimidated when faced with the global media-inspired and -driven culture which has broad impact. We could set ourselves up as a christian media conglomerate and manufacture our own TV programs and movies, and even produce some interesting product lines to get out the message. We could... but we don't necessarily have the resources to do so. And even if we did, are we transforming it by merely reproducing it?
Better start local.
Having spent our married life in Melbourne, my wife and I have made our way anti-clockwise around the suburbs. While this is unusual (there is an "eastern drift" evident among the Melbourne population over that time - most people move further out along the axes from the city in which they grew up), it has exposed the variety of local cultures which are evident in Melbourne. The south-east is very different from the east (bible belt), which is again different from the northern suburbs. When our church rebuilt its manse, we found temporary accommodation across the Yarra, not 10 kilometres from where the manse was located, yet we found ourselves in a significantly different cultural, as well as socio-economic set. The inner city has also revealed these very strong local tendencies - West and North Melbourne a different culture from Footscray, not 5 kilometres west of here, and different again from Docklands, and the city.
Which offers some insight into the challenges of culture facing the church. There is significant scope to impact one's local culture. Building strong links with one's neighbourhood, and seeking to strengthen community spirit, and create new community links can have a significant local impact.
I know that there are some who might suggest that it is not much of an impact - but if we do not impact where we live, what hope do we have in transforming a community where we do not live?
Through street parties, local functions, seasonal celebrations, community festivals, and community-based fund-raising efforts, it is possible to impact the way local communities respond to one another, and meet challenges which each inevitably faces.
Through building of relationships, the possibility of dialoguing with and about global culture and its impact is enhanced, offering opportunity not only for critique, but for creating new ways of being. Oddly enough, you will more often than not find similar concerns about the impact of broader culture held by many who have never stepped near a church.
We can, however, retreat behind oaken doors and live restricted lives in which we are cut off from wider cultural pressures. It might help us, but isn't that a bit like hiding a light under a bucket? Ought we not welcome the opportunity to engage with others who recognise this same pressure, and yearn for new ways of being? You'll be surprised how receptive and creative people can be - if we don't simply offer pat answers without opportunity for joint struggle.
Posted by gary at January 27, 2007 05:03 PM
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