Rules or guidelines for engagement. We often talk about contextualizing ministries— our engagement with individuals, groups, sometimes even entire communities or entities such as schools or hospitals. That means knowing some of their histories, their cultures, their desires, and their dreams. Because as sincere as our admiration may be for our histories, our cultures, our visions of them and the futures we might imagine for them, the people God sends us to serve need to be on board and own whatever we're doing. They need to engage with us as we engage with them.
If you've pastored a church or been a missionary – "sent person" – anywhere, you've probably spent time reading and watching videos about the place you're going to. Whenever possible meeting with and engaging with people who've lived there. If the primary language isn't the same as yours, you've learned basic vocabulary and something about the personality of the language. That's especially important if it's in a different language family than yours.
You study their culinary preferences and try not to assume what they enjoy at home is the same as a fusion version you've had at the fast food place on the corner. If a family in your ministry area hosts you as a guest, you do your best to fully engage the flavors, textures, colors, and deliciousness of what they offer you. You find out in advance the most suitable (literally!) attire to wear when you visit.
Maybe you know deep in your heart they need to learn some scripture, but you've found out the literacy rate is low, with some adults not able to read at all. So you start by engaging them with the alphabet, simple words and easy sentences before you go to an Easy Reader Bible or maybe just verses of scripture. You then explain what it's all about so they can engage with the scripture that in turn engages their lives and futures.
Do you put your own culture, language, and experience aside? No, because that's impossible and it would be unwise if it even were an option. You enter a congregation's or other community's life so engagement will be a two-way street, with no stop signs along the way—ideally only a few cautions to slow down and explain what's going on.
God has called and sent you there because their lives will be enhanced if they engage with the gifts you offer. When you engage with the gifts they offer, you'll also be changed. Contextualizing is a two-way street, an engagement that's a both ways treat for everyone.
• The flowers are so beautiful I had to use them twice! I believe Kate usually gets her images from Unsplash.
