22 - Speaking Cross Culturally
The Gospel and Culture
It’s important that we remember that Western culture isn’t part of the gospel. In the same way, just because other cultures can be very different it doesn’t mean they are evil.
- Don’t condemn parts of people’s culture unnecessarily or because you don’t understand it (harmless traditions, art, architecture, music, festivals).
- Don’t preach about democracy, capitalism, pews and pulpits, organisational rules, formal dress on Sundays…
Avoid all ‘Christianese’ (classic church words like ‘born-again’, ‘deliverance’, ‘Christian’, ‘Christmas’, ‘washed in the blood’, baptized in the Spirit’). Only use such terms if necessary and if you explain them.
Some heathen practices are redeemable if changed into a biblical context e.g. Christmas was originally a pagan festival.
Without compromising the truth, we can do our best to put the gospel into their context. Develop symbols and stories from the target culture if possible. Eg sheep aren’t white and woolly in many of these countries. They may not have ever seen snow. They do understand seedtime and harvest, hard work, fear, eternity…
Avoid kiwi cultural expressions, eg using the words ‘bad’ and ‘wicked’ to mean ‘awesome’ and ‘impressive’!!; ‘hard out’, ‘quiet time’, ‘wasted in the Holy Ghost’; references to bbqs, the beach etc. It is safest to avoid jokes because most humour is not often understood cross-culturally…
Avoid unrelatable topics e.g. phone conversations, texting, TV, movies, youth group, X-box, the internet, tap water, showers, fast food...
Delivery
Have your Bible with you. Refer to it often - say “the Bible says…” when you are making a biblical point. Read from it at least once during your message. Many of the countries we go to are full of different religions and cults. The people need to understand that this is not YOUR message, but GOD’S message.
Stay clear and concise. Try to speak for around 20-30 minutes. You don’t need to speak painfully slowly or use the language of five-year-olds. On the other hand, don’t use this as an opportunity to demonstrate how big your vocabulary is. Speak at whatever speed the interpreter can understand.
Ask the Lord for boldness. Remember that His Word is the absolute truth and He has given us His authority to proclaim it.
‘Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.’ Eph 6:19
Trust God and be yourself. God loves to use ‘the weak things of the world to shame the strong’. It’s not about how talented you are, the message holds it’s own power because it is the TRUTH! God will still use you even if you hate public speaking. He’s anointed you for it!
‘I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom… nothing… except Jesus Christ… crucified.’ 1 Cor 2:2