Marv Newell is an author and the Senior Vice President for MissioNexus. I’ve known Marv for several years and always enjoy being with him. He is a sharp thinker and good friend.
Last month, he wrote a very good article that provided some guidelines on how North Americans should relate to Majority World believers when it comes to collaboration in missions. Check out his full post: “Relating Better to Majority World Missions”.
While I am still in favor of the understanding and terminology of “partners,” here are his six cautions when connecting with those from outside of North America:
- We dare not be offended when criticized by the leaders who represent this movement.
- We dare not be condescending.
- We dare not put them on a pedestal.
- We dare not misunderstand the new relationship that has been a progression and continues to evolve.
- We dare not call them by the wrong name.
- We dare not be simply a “willing participant,” but rather must be a “worthy participant.”
As churches in the West continue to connect with brothers and sisters across the world, challenges will arise. The growth of the Majority World Church is both a wonderful blessing and a tremendous pressure point on the Church.
In addition to Marv’s six (and using his terminology), I would add two more:
1) We dare not neglect to go and make disciples of all nations if Majority World believers do not partner with us.
2) We dare not take a hands-off approach, neglecting God-given centuries of wisdom and experience, when partnering with Majority World believers.
What would you add?
I have worked with leaders from the majory world for many year. First in Africa and now in different city networks in Germany. What I found out over the years is, that before we start with partnerships and working together, we need to connect on a personal level.
“We have to touch their heart before we extend our hands”. Making time to connect on a personal level,listening to their stories and sharing ours builds trust. In a success oriented world it is easy to focus on the task and neglect the personal relationships. Unfortuantely we leaders are guilty of beeing often too busy for that as we run from meetings to meetings.
‘We dare not negelect investing in personal relationships first’.
Great word, Thomas! Thanks!
Glad you added your #1 (in total, #7). I’ve seen far too often people think that if Majority World church is nearby but not going, that we couldn’t go either.
Thanks, brother. This has been a concern for a while.
Where to start? I realise that as a non-American, I’m not the target audience for this article. There is much that I agree with, but there are some things that I am very concerned about, too.
“The growth of the Majority World Church is both a wonderful blessing and a tremendous pressure point on the Church. ”
Err, no! The growth of the majority world church is the church. It isn’t something outside of the Church to bless it or bring pressure. It is the Church!
“2) We dare not take a hands-off approach, neglecting God-given centuries of wisdom and experience, when partnering with Majority World believers.”
I’m not sure if you realise how this comes across outside of your context. But the air of superiority that it exudes is quite offensive. We know best, we have the history! Nowhere in this post to I see any humility, any sense that you might have something to learn from brothers and sisters in other parts of the world. With all due respect, your extra two points do seem to contradict #2 in the original list.
Thanks for sharing, Eddie. I appreciate your comments. Yes, as you recognize, this is a different audience for this post–one that has a 200 year heritage of paternalism (one in which I would include myself being an American).
Taken in context, “Church” in your fourth sentence is the Non-Majority World Church. Maybe it would have been better for me to write, “non-Majority World Church”. But given the audience, they know who they are–not the Majority World Church.
Regarding your 9th sentence, again, I clearly recognize the tone when taken outside of the intended audience. I think you have taken this statement out of context. If you re-read the the post–and the linked article I affirmed–you’ll see where I state that we must not be proud, haughty, or exude a demeanor of superiority. I’m not certain what you read were I state that we can’t learn from the Majority World Church, when I clearly stated we must learn from the Majority World Church.