Globalization: A Ministry Opportunity
The world is constantly changing and there are some brave people who want to understand those changes on a societal level; and there are those who want to see how those movements impact our quality of life, well-being and community. Speaking about social theory and practical impacts Professor Charles Lemert says:
“For others, it might be about thick credit and consumerism. For still others, it is about growing inequities between the West and the rest. All such notions about how society works play a role in facilitating social relations.”[1]
It seems that as Christian leaders we’d care about ‘facilitating social relations’, facilitating them in such a way that draws people to Christ. In this I find the motivation to learn social theory. Specifically, what caught my eye was the complex issue of globalization and how that reality creates opportunity for ministry.
The term ‘globalization’ has become so widely used that in popular culture its meaning is being defined by its context. Turn on the news and you’ll hear it referred to when discussing terrorism, or even the recent news coverage on the spread of Ebola across continents. Talk to your financial advisor and they might discuss the globalization of economies, or the globalization of your investments. Yet when referring to social theory, it has more depth and history:
“One central part of what globalization means for critics is advanced capitalism in its broadest sense, and thus by implication the term has come to revolve around Americanization. This is the view that globalization is a central diver in the export of American commerce and culture, of vast spread of mass consumerism, of the unleashing of US-controlled turbo-capitalism.”[2]
Maybe globalization can be understood as the exchange of world-views; a cultural exchange, facilitated by communications and transportation, but from reading Elliott’s chapter on globalization it seems to be mostly about global consumerism. The critics of American capitalism and Western consumerism see globalization as the exporting of the worst of the west. Richard Sennett in his commentary on capitalism criticizes corporations, arguing that in light of globalization corporations are reengineering and reinventing themselves but at the expense of their workers. Saying, “people are treated as disposable.”[3] Regardless, if we take issue with some of the assessment of these sociological perspectives, they indicate great opportunity for ministry.
We live in a day where companies rarely offer ‘a career’. In my parents post WW2 generation it was an anomaly to change jobs, or not have a career. In my generation a few changes across a lifetime of work is completely normal, and by the way ‘retirement’ as a corporate responsibility vanished. As my daughter heads off to college she can expect to hold at least 12 positions, or different jobs in a lifetime; and her success will require at least three re-workings of her skills set.[4] It’s common to have a short-termism attitude in the workplace. As Sennett points out it creates an “erosion of loyalty and trust”.[5] The natural result is feeling used up and exhausted; now some come to that understanding more quickly than others.
Always looking out for the next change, the next career move, the next skill, the next relocation makes the mighty – vulnerable. As a result of globalization the world’s most successful, brightest, top performers, ‘the mighty’ are asked to represent their NGO, their corporation or their country in another country. The prestigious expatriate, living in a host country, is assigned extremely demanding jobs in the context of cultural disconnect. Part of the attraction is certainly the financial remuneration; many expatriates are paid their ‘western’ salary plus an extra percentage (20 – 30%) for the hardship of living overseas. Additionally their company pays for their overseas housing, transportation and schooling for their children. The corporate investment into these workers is extremely high, but with it comes the pressure to perform. The message they carry is “you’re the brightest and best, you’re highly compensated, now prove yourself”. These expatriates are constantly trying to prove themselves; prove they’re worthy of investment, knowing their company is more than willing to drop them if they disappoint and find another rising star.
The cost is heavy: feeling used and exhausted, dislocation from your culture, from familiarity: loss of a sense of place, a sense of home and loss of everyday normalcy. Distance from good friends, from family, from the church you grew up in. Thrust into a work environment where your spouse is usually left on her own, where your children may struggle to adjust to their new life. Where any friendships you have are weakened by the short-term nature of it all and the commitment to work. Globalization has encouraged millions of people into this expatriate life, a life that ultimately exposes our humanness, which puts us in touch with loss and need, which can make the mighty vulnerable. It’s not uncommon for these driven people to begin to see their family unravel, to begin to make ethically compromised decisions, to see their own morality slide; and in this become vulnerable. Into this darkness we Christ followers can bring the light and grace of the gospel.
Into this world the international church (IC) has a role that restores a sense of home for the expatriate. ICs can provide an environment for families to adjust and even thrive. ICs can remind highly influential people that their significance isn’t in what they do but whom they belong to. ICs can show the affluent how their resources belong to God, and how they can release those resources of His purpose. The extreme life of expatriates wooed by globalization makes them vulnerable, and in that they’re open to meeting with a gracious, loving God. One whose love isn’t based on performance, one who doesn’t believe His children are disposable; the world can be constantly changing but He doesn’t change. Globalization is a ministry opportunity!
[1] Anthony Elliott, Contemporary Social Theory: an Introduction, 2 ed. (New York: Routledge, 2014), 10.
[2] Ibid, 309.
[3] Richard Sennett, The Corrosion of Character: The Personal Consequences of Work in the New Capitalism. (New York: Norton, 1998), 146.
[4] Anthony Elliott, Contemporary Social Theory: an Introduction, 2 ed. (New York: Routledge, 2014), 330.
[5] Ibid, 330.
About the Author
Dave Young
husband, dad, friend, student of culture and a pastor.7 responses to “Globalization: A Ministry Opportunity”
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Dave, Thanks for bringing your IC experience into the conversation. When reading Elliott’s book I too was most drawn to the “complex issue of globalization and how that reality creates opportunity for ministry.” Not only are some of the brightest and most gifted leaving our country to be expatriates but many from foreign countries are leaving family and homes to come to American and pursue the American dream. All around we can see that “Globalization is a ministry opportunity!” Thanks Dave!
Nick,
Yep, and there are a number of International churches right here in Houston. It’s a small world.
dave
Dave, Fear it or embrace it. I like the “opportunity” angle. Whether it is simple sounding “facilitating social relations” or a more impressive “globalization” engagement I hope we as the Church respond to the opportunity in our day and become learners and leaders into tomorrow.
“Into this darkness we Christ followers can bring the light and grace of the gospel.”
Dave, I see this as a key reason for Christians to study social theory. The more we understand what is going on around us, the better we can represent Christ to a world that is lost. If Christianity does not relate to the core elements of a person’s life (hopes, dreams, needs, relationships, etc.), it is not relevant to their life.
I had my post already for you, Dave, but lost it in the outage. Good excuse, eh?
What struck me most was your comments about the pressure on ex-pats. I had never considered the underlying message, not only for them with the financial compensation but also for the citizens who live in the country. There’s a separation that occurs, even in the globalization. I think your thinking about the IC’s role of restoration can be the bridge that Jesus Christ offers. Isn’t it all about integration ultimately?
Your words offer a poetic, contemplative approach to your reading and thinking.
Dave, I appreciate the perspective you share on globalization and how the IC is stepping out to meet needs for so many people. As you say, “It seems that as Christian leaders we’d care about ‘facilitating social relations’, facilitating them in such a way that draws people to Christ.” We don’t hear much discussion about social theory within church, but maybe we should.
Dave,
It is the world system that drives people to live in social arenas that are money driven and excess driven. I think being able to study abroad is a great thing for people with Chrisitan thinking because it will help us to better communicate to a global community and show it some of the principles Christ wants in society.