New Things

I really like to learn new things, to think new thoughts. It is one of my favorite past-times to sit and think about ideas and how to make them happen.

I just finished attending a class on contextualization at Bethel Seminary. If you don’t know what contextualization is I want to empower you- look it up in a dictionary. It is a critical issue when cross-culturally teaching or preaching. I know that it can be badly done. I have heard preachers come from the States to Thailand and use sermon illustrations that are totally irrelevant to the people or culture. One was hilarious- the preacher talked about using appliances in a village where there wasn’t any electricity and the poverty level of the church he preached to would have clearly sent the message that they did not have appliances.

I once read a paper online that stated that missionaries were decimating the hill-tribe peoples’ culture faster than Thai society could. That thought made me shudder and I have to admit that as I concluded this class on contextualization, that I do not want to be contributing to this destruction of the K’s culture.

Another perspective was that by importing western teaching it will erode or affect change. I know just from living in the village that my presence on a daily basis was causing a change. I am teaching constantly even if I am not in a classroom. The way I did things were constantly being watched, filtered and examined. Now this can be a positive change, like washing hands to control disease or filtering contaminated water. I guess I have a whole new realization of responsibility. One that I take very seriously.

We really are watched, aren’t we? I am new in a neighborhood and people are watching me. Not in a creepy, paranoid, sinister kind of way- but they don’t know me and they wonder what I’m about- or maybe why I am there. It underscores the responsibility of living a life that is transparent, that does not cause destruction, but brings blessing to others.

(Today I met my neighbor for the first time. I’ve lived there three weeks. He has noticed my coming and going. Now I know someone from my neighborhood!)