from a distance

I’ve noticed something in the last couple weeks after observing and listening to conversations about the church and it’s state here.  I have also noticed something about other churches here of other denominations.  And this is what I have noticed; that the people here have very much taken ahold of the denomination’s origin of culture. I don’t necessarily think this is a bad thing, but it puts those who have been ministered to in a different culture in an awkward spot.

The Pentecostal church or Pentecostales if you will, have a huge presence here.  Sure there are Pentecostal churches in the States, but those aren’t the mega churches that draw in a lot of people, they are simply another denomination.  However here, they are it.  This is why:  Pentecostal churches are a very emotional group of folks.  They are very open and friendly in demeanor and in their worship.  This is a key factor in evangelizing to people in Latin America, at least in the Caribbean/Central American geographic area.  For instance I know this guy who changes oil by my house.  Why? Not because I have a car, but because I walk by everyday and he says hi or I say hi.  His name is Jose and he likes our dog.  People here for the most part are very open and given the time they will sit and talk with you.

So, of course if this is their culture and this is what the Pentecostals are stereotypically good at, they are obviously going to flourish in a community so open as here.

I then take a look at the Lutheran church here.  They have some amazing things going on in their ministries, but some of them fight the battle of being open and sharing the Gospel with others.  They are almost timid about it.  It’s interesting to me, because of all my experience here people have been very open and always want to know how things are going and then  I have friends like Jose who I just talk to because I can.  So for me, it’s interesting.

Today I was able to meet with the national church and they were discussing how they reach out more to the community and discussing what it will take to overcome some obstacles that some have in their minds of how a church functions in this society as a place of not only worship but of people committed to sharing the Gospel of the Lord.

It’s interesting to me because I feel as though the church here is not fighting battles of their own but battles that are unknown to them.  Battles that we in the States deal with. How does that happen when you have two distinct cultures with distinct people and customs?  Well when you send people to minister to others those missionaries bring more than just the Gospel, they also bring their culture.

And culture is a hard thing not to bring.  I bring my culture.  I bring my culture everywhere I go because that’s who I am and as much as I try I will never be a Latina, and that’s ok. However, I have to realize the way that I go about ministry needs to reflect this understanding.  I am in a new culture and I need to respect and work with that culture and not try to inforce my culture on them.

I am currently reading Law & Gospel by Korey Mass. I just finished chapter 1 with the main point that being Christian is solely about Jesus Christ crucified, died, and resurrected, everyday.  That’s why we live, that’s what we preach.  Without that what do we have?  Thinking on that over these last few days has made me really rethink my approach, rethink my thoughts in how I work in the ministry and rethink how I help others.

These are simply my observations. I don’t have a degree in missiology or am even a commissioned church worker, but I am Christian serving the church in a culture not of my own, and I need to be aware of what I bring to the floor outside of my faith.