Is Today's Church Guilty of Colonialism?

Romans 12:10:"Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves."

Historically, the church has much to answer for the way it spread the gospel around the world. The violence and trauma inflicted on populations all over the globe are well-documented. The church followed the path of Western powers and settled in the same places the colonizers settled. Colonization was white and male-dominated.

It still is, and so is the para-colonization the church is guilty of. And it is still happening today. The Western church, especially the evangelical movement, is very much white and male-dominated. Its influence and its grip are felt all over the world. Is it wrong to share the good news of Jesus? Of course not! How we share our faith and who does it is important, though.

At the heart of all of this, there needs to be a deep respect for people around the globe. Westerners are not better, superior, or more informed. In fact, we have a lot to learn from other countries. Our arrogance can blind us. Yet we still often behave as if we should be the ones telling others what to do and how to do it.

Of course, no one would admit to being arrogant or colonial. We are most likely blind to it. The real test is asking our friends around the world, but they would have to feel safe in order to answer. If they depend on us financially, no way they will ever say anything. They have been trained in subservience for centuries.

It always astounds me to see Western preachers turn up in said country somewhere in the world and assume they should be the ones teaching. Why? These days, Christianity is more alive outside of the so-called “developed” world. But the colonial mindset is still prevalent. The people in those countries are also guilty in some way of allowing this pattern to continue. I suppose they benefit financially.

The power imbalance due to money is harmful, but so is the cultural ignorance of many Western Christians. They assume we are all the same, our faith binds us all in kumbaya unity (same as color blindness), with no regard for historical colonial or oppression history. Of course, most leaders already do not believe there is racism in the church, so how could they believe in colonialism?

Fighting against the colonial mindset will take a lot of humility on the part of Western Christians. Aiming for real partnership is a much better plan, a partnership where we are all equal and learn from one another, and where the people in majority-world countries have agency over what takes place in their local churches.

We need to be culturally aware and respectful. Over the years, we have exported things like dating, individualism, or a Western idea of time, which have no place in many countries around the world. Let me give an example: when we led a church in South Asia (when we were young and over-zealous), the service started at 11 AM, I believe, and then we would close the doors. If people came late, they would have to wait outside until after communion was served. Words would also be said from the pulpit to shame those who were late. That was such a misunderstanding of local culture, where the concept of time is so very different. To a local person, 11 AM was just an approximation. It could mean 11.30 AM or 12 PM. If they met someone on the way to church, they would stop and chat. The concept of “hurry” is a foreign idea.

When we travel around the world, we need to do so in humility and respect. No culture is superior. The fact that some are richer materially does not give us the upper hand. In fact, I would venture to say, we have much to learn!