Digging for Gold or Digging for Dirt?
In collecting and analyzing data, I believe there is no greater reference that can help us solve our problems than the Bible. Proverbs 11:27 The person seeking good will find favor, but anyone who searches for evil—it will find him.[1] In the bible there are many principals to help have a biblical worldview to love and invite people into a relationship with each other and Jesus Christ.
During the 1980’s it seemed like things became very systematic and creativity individuality was lost. It almost seemed like the world strived to be like the culture of the most dominant nation or culture. Today is that still the same case? Do we look at weaker cultures as inferior or have little to offer because of meekness?
In Matthew Chapter 5 The Sermon on the Mount, Jesus clearly teaches in verse 5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. We also see that God exalts the humble but comes against the proud (James 4:10).[2] I sometimes contemplate the struggles we face with different cultures of the world today, because we are no longer applying the word of God and kingdom principals in our situations. Does ego and pride keep us from healthy relationships with other cultures.
In the 1990’s I noticed a shift of people of many cultures trying to fit into a common system, hoping this common system would eliminate indifference. But we really see that our own hearts needed to change and become aware of others.[3] When we come into embracing differences, especially cultural differences we are inviting people into doing life together. Often people from different cultures feel they must change to be accepted. As we become more aware, we begin to change. We start to see more and more biblical principles that remind us to love, instead of judge. Jesus teaches us in Matthew 7:5 to not be hypocrites. To take care of the plank in our own eye rather than the spec in others eye.[4]
Growing up deaf as a child, I did see indifference between culture and ethnicity, however I did not understand why there was indifference and prejudice. In fact, I see words and hearing of words an incredible gift. To this day, I never imagined hearing or using words that would hurt people or oppress them. Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.[5]”
In Karen Tremper’s IDI Group Profile Report, she continues to focus and remind us to be aware and to be active in our learning of how to become more aware of cultural pitfalls.[6] I enjoyed how Michael O’Neill’s blog on Cultural Responsibilities for Leaders in the Church coincided with Karen Tremper. In Dr. Karen Tremper IDI Group Profile Report we must take responsibility on how we conduct ourselves to other cultures and to remember that we are ambassadors of Christ to all people.
In conclusion, we see there is a great need to change and become more culturally aware. When love is our aim, we can start closing the distance between cultures and moving forward together. Ignorance is no longer an option, the world is changing into a global community that if we do not adapt and change with it, we will become obsolete. As leaders, God has given us a voice and something to say. However just like the prophets of old, it is up to us in how we share that with today’s world. We can move from cultural conflict to cultural resolution.
[1] Proverbs 11:27
[2] James 4:10
[3] Albert Mohler, Culture Shift: The Battle for the Moral Heart of America (Colorado Springs, 2008).
[4] Karen Tremper, ‘IDI Group Profile Report.”
[5] Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela (Little, Brown, 2008).
[6] Michael O’Neill Blog Post, Cultural Responsibilities for Leaders in the Church
About the Author
Greg McMullen
Pastor Greg resides in Lake Stevens WA and pastors a small rural church in the Machias area . The Well Church has a large food ministry in which many different cultures come each week to gather food and counsel. The Church has a small school that is bearing good fruit. Pastor Greg has a large family of 10 children and enjoys fishing and hiking.2 responses to “Digging for Gold or Digging for Dirt?”
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Hi Greg, Thank you so much for your post this week. I am struck by the way in which you set your blog and the readings of this week within the context of loving others. It is such a good reminder that one cannot go wrong with this as our starting place.
I appreciate your reference to “inviting people into doing life together” and imagine this must be the way you pastor the churches where you serve. I would be curious to know what this looks like for you in your everyday ministry. I imagine you must have some amazing work going on in Lake Stevens and Machias, WA.
Looking forward to further conversation in the future!
Greg – Your blog reminded me of what Dr. Karen Tremper said in her video about all cultures being represented in heaven, but without the silos that exist on this side of heaven. One day we will marvel at the beauty and uniqueness of every precious being without getting caught up in our human sinfulness and pride. Thanks for the reminder that by seeing through a Biblical lens (and through the power of the Holy Spirit), we can have that same experience here on earth, as well.
I’m curious as to how do you encourage this mindset in your ministry at The Well Church. Would love to hear some stories and examples of that! Do you serve a diverse community there?