A Calf Is Born With Ears
Horns Grow Later
Welcome to my newsletter, “Global Witness, Globally Reimagined,” where I dream here about mission in a postcolonial world. Every week, I share one thought that has spoken to me in the week, two resources I trust will be helpful to you, and three exciting quotes about mission. I pray one of these will energise you in the coming week.
1. Thought I Can’t Shake Off
The proverb that I have used as the title of this newsletter — a calf is born with ears, horns grow later — was given to me by my old friend, Professor John Mbiti, not too long before he passed on in 2019. It teaches the importance of listening. Calves are born with the ability to hear. Horns, a symbol of power and assertiveness, come later. It comes to mind whenever I have a conversation about cultural diversity and intercultural encounters among Christians. More often than not, I see people come to their intercultural conversations with their horns on the ready, prepared to defend themselves and, sometimes, to attack whoever makes them feel uncomfortable or threatened. Of course, this is not only about intercultural conversations, but it is easily discernible when people speak cross-culturally. However, such intercultural conversations are needed to help us be formed into the image of Christ. Many of them will be difficult conversations. Still, we must have them. Avoiding them helps no one.
We facilitated an intercultural dialogue between African and British church leaders last year, exploring possibilities of creating spaces of mutual belonging where they can journey together as brothers and sisters in the Lord. Before the meeting, one British leader said to me, “If they just try to guilt-trip us by mentioning racism and colonialism, I will walk out.” An African brother said, “They better not patronise us. We will show them they are not in charge any more.” The dialogue itself was a terribly excruciating experience. Everybody was too careful not to offend and, as a result, the conversation that was needed did not happen. Precious time and many opportunities were wasted. Coming to a conversation like this one with a listening posture would make a huge difference. We need to hear what the Spirit is saying to us through the strangers among us but this will not happen until we can listen well. If I were to reinterpret the proverb in the context of multicultural belonging, I would say, “We are all born with ears and not horns because all power belongs to God.”
2. Resources I am Enjoying
In Fr Gittins’ own words:
Our globalised world increasingly brings together people of many different cultures, though not always harmoniously. In recent decades, multinational companies have sought more efficient strategies for authentic intercultural collaboration. But in today’s multicultural world, church and faith communities — from local parishes to international religious communities — are faced with the challenge of intercultural living. The social sciences have developed some constructive approaches, but people of faith also need to build their endeavours on a sound biblical and theological foundation. Living Mission Interculturally integrates sociology/anthropology with practical theology, reminds us that good will alone is not enough to effect change, and points to a way of intercultural living underpinned by faith, virtue, and a range of new and appropriate skills.
Video: Anthony J. Gittins, Living Mission Interculturally
In this conversation, Fr Anthony J. Gittins reflects on the book highlighted above, Living Mission Interculturally: Faith Culture, and the Renewal of Praxis. One central theme of this book is the need for intercultural missions which is necessarily facilitated by intercultural listening. As Gittins notes, “There is no dominant culture for a Christian. There is no marginalised other, and everyone has to work together with differences rather than in spite of the differences.” There is much to learn from this discourse to aid our intercultural missionary engagements today. Gittins is clear that theological literacy should not be confused with cultural intelligence. All cultures must listen to one another for effective intercultural mission.
3. Quotes I am Pondering
I don’t really care where you come from in the missionary enterprise, structural change is part and parcel of that mission, and that is a part of the challenge facing those of us from ethnic minorities. And I think this is about dialogue and partnership… The issue we face together is this: how do we integrate together with God – black and white – in order to have influence and make a difference? — Joel Edwards
The tension between the notion that it is possible and desirable to live by the gospel without culture is a belief held with much wishful thinking. Reality tells a different story. — Musimbi Kanyoro
… the church dare not risk identifying itself too exclusively with any one culture or nation and … one group of Christians may not create barriers against others by the exclusive use of cultural symbols, such as language. — J. Andrew Kirk
I pray that you have a missionally faithful week.
Thanks Harvey Excellent!