By Sheryl Takagi Silzer | Global mission teams are becoming more and more multicultural. This presents challenges particularly to the work and relationships between people from the Global North and Global South. Facilitated discussions about cultural frameworks can help global workers gain a better understanding of different cultural perspectives.
By Valerie Althouse | I am a White American woman who grew up in a white majority church that emphasized global missions. Eighteen years ago, I moved to New York City to serve as both a missionary and a mobilizer for world missions. I desire for Jesus to be known and worshiped among all peoples. So why did I often find myself cringing when I shared missions mobilization materials within a diverse, urban, multiethnic, and international environment?
By Phyllis Johnson | The Black church has been underrepresented in global mission for more than 100 years. An appropriate educational model for missiological theology contextualized for the African American church is one way to help African Americans become more engaged in global missions once again.
By Rocky Tyler | As mission organizations, how do we move “from me to we to the world?” The knowledge, skills, and attitudes of conflict competence are the foundation of an authentically inclusive culture in which diversity is welcomed and “all peoples” (panta ta ethne) experience both full belonging and high value on their uniqueness.
By Jessica Udall | When an extended family gathers together from far and wide to share a feast, who sits at the head of the table? Traditionally, it is the father. However, what happens in this metaphorical scenario when instead of the Heavenly Father sitting at the head, that place is usurped by a culturally dominant sibling who views themselves as superior to their Majority World brothers and sisters?
By Carlos Negrón | Many North Americans are terrified to talk about diversity and mutuality. But we must be willing to talk about this, sit in our discomfort, and put hindering beliefs to death in order to become more of the one body of Christ that we are.
By Linda P. Saunders | As image bearers, it is time to take our rightful place as an inclusive body of believers that reflects the foot of the cross as well as the worshippers around the throne – all nations, all people groups, and all tongues.
By Abegail Lyn “Abby” A. Galzote | The mission field is changing as more foreign and national partners work together towards shared goals. The development of Every Community for Christ Philippines offers an example of what this looks like.
By Heather Denson | Diversity and mutuality are foundational principles that drive the transformative impact of cross-cultural engagement and service. Diversity intertwines a tapestry of cultural perspectives, experiences, and practices. And mutuality nurtures relationships based on respect, reciprocity, and shared learning.
By Ted Esler | Mutuality can be a powerful concept in missiology. It captures a sense of how Christ came to us in his earthly ministry, emptying himself to serve others. Using the word mutuality in missiology requires a different definition than what we find in other areas of interest. Mutuality can inform and speak into our approach to missions and is already being used in various ways by those taking the gospel into new cultures and places.
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