WHEN YOU CROSS CULTURES - World Evangelical Alliance

LEARNING ABOUT CULTURE
Stage 3 EQUIVALENT RESPONSE
The receiver responds “It means the same to me as it means to you”. What the
messenger has communicated makes sense and brings about a positive
response.
Stage 4 RELEVANCE TO LIFE
The message transforms the receiver’s life and there is true conversion.
Stage 5 MATURE COLABOURSHIP
The receiver assumes his role in the spread of the Gospel. When true
contextualisation takes place, the Gospel spreads and remains undistorted by
cultural traditions.
Message
The
Messenger
and message
The
Receiver
and message
Spreading
the message
in context
The RECEIVER becomes a “new original”. As Paul wrote, “You became
imitators of us and of the Lord”. These RECEIVERS are what some have termed
“insiders” within their own culture and they spread the good news in their
context. Here we see the spreading of the Gospel in context.
The above looks rather straightforward. In practice, however, the process
can be complicated and complex. One major problem is one’s own traditions;
and tradition is what we bring with us. Just recall for a moment what Peter had
to go through before he was willing to bring the message to Cornelius (Acts
10). God had to communicate to him three times. Peter was still meditating on
the vision when Cornelius’ men came to him. The Holy Spirit had to convince
Peter that the men were specially sent.
9