week one responds cled 745
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Initial Post 5/20: Cultural Influences on Authority & Decision-Making
The Bible shows that we are communal creatures, made to be lovers of God and of others (Tim & Chester, 2019, p. 38). While this is a very true statement, we also know that the Sunday morning hour of worship is the most segregated hour of the week. Some people select to stay within their own groups that share the same cultural background. In community, there are going to be several instances where cultural influences will come into play. First, we must understand that cultural influences are not what most people think as (black & white), but rather an individual’s ethnic background that can include language, education, religion, ethics, values, food choices, social organizations affiliated with, socioeconomic status, where one lives, etc. Cultural differences should be celebrated and not looked down upon. Hebrews 10: 25 states, that we should not forsake ourselves together. This is a time of worship and fellowship one with another to learn about each other, encourage each other, affirm, serve, and comfort one another.
In the basic function of the church, leaders deal with the planning of church functions and community service. At other times leaders deal with family dynamics, marriage counseling, member disagreements, homosexuality issues, and the list goes on. First, God has selected the man to be head of the family, as the authority and decision maker, Ephesians 5:23. As the head of the family, a man should set the example to his family in teaching his wife, children, and others to be culturally sensitive and accepting of others in community. This means, spending time with others who may not have the same cultural background as you. It could mean taking time to teach a bible lesson to those who are lost and need guidance, to those whose cultural background maybe different.
Another example of cultural influences and decision making, on the part of leadership, could be recognizing a population of individuals who are deaf. Leaders and educators within the Body of Christ should invest in deaf ministry, appointing someone to provide sign language during a worship service, so these individuals can hear the Word of God. We are commanded to be socially involved, especially for the purpose of fellowship, and evangelism, Matt. 16:15. So in summary, the most basic functions of the local church are being hospitable, showing acts of kindness, compassion, and being mindful of those that do not know Christ, and working to reach this group of individuals through community and ministry.
References
Chester, T. (2
8:48amMay 19 at 8:48am
In the introduction of Total Church, the authors immediately state the challenge of modern churches, the split between traditional and emerging styles, where the emphasis is typically truth or community (Chester & Timmis, 2008). Christians are demanded to do both, and a believer cannot authentically live out professed beliefs without adherence to absolute truth and community. Like the authors, this sentiment immediately surfaced in the work of Simon Sinek (2019), whose behavioral research and life’s work comes to the fundamental principle that a life lived in service of a just cause (ideal state) can be difficult and frankly unobtainable but gives purpose that transcends the day-to-day ennui. Chester and Timmis (2008) call out several common practices in the church and offer fundamental shifts in how these practices are approached. Regardless of which stylistic approach a believer’s church has, it is critical for a pastor and the congregation to honestly assess where they need to grow.
Part of living in a community is meeting the needs of the community. Regardless of being a believer or not, everyone has something they have strong emotions toward that a ministry can meet. Aligning believers based on their personal passions to these specific needs in the community will be critical, as the effort and energy required to truly meet the need will not feel like a numbing task, but one of love and commitment. As an example, Communities often have a high population of single-parent households, whose mother/father is required to work multiple jobs to make ends meet. There are individuals in the church body that understand this through their lived experience. They have an immense love for families who need support. The church can form a small group/community outreach program made up of believers who want to help in a deeply meaningful way. The pastor/group leader can teach on the doctrine of humanity, on service, the beatitudes, and more, then go live out that experience in a practical way, such as mentoring kids, finding better job opportunities for the parent, collecting food donations to soften the financial burden, or start providing after school care of kids who would normally be left alone at home. In this way, the church congregation can be made up of small groups who are learning the fundamental doctrines of their faith to be better teachers of the Word and then live out this knowledge, which both meets the need of the community and represents Christ, which is evangelizing at its best.
Resources
Chester, T. & Timmis, S. (2008). Total church: A radical reshaping around gospel and community. Crossway.
Sinek, S. (2018). The infinite game. Penguin Random House.
