Once again, thank you Nadine for talking about such issues. The funny thing is, many have always been able to see this, but felt helpless to do anything about it, so I'm glad it's being brought out into the open. Not to shame anyone but to give clear vision to those in power. The blackmail bit you mentioned really is so so bad, it is really a form of control, where emotional abuse is used to manipulate a vulnerable and less wealthy congregation, in the name of Christianity.
Appreciate this. I can say I sensed and experienced a variety impacts - intended or inadvertent - including transference of cultural practice, language and values of the missionary culture into the local church. Sometimes locals saw these as superior.
There was - and I still think is - a sense that Western missionaries only learn by what they observe - like how happy and grateful the poor can be in their third world lives - but a non-white person has nothing teach them. They can’t possibly be wiser than they.
Indeed a sad statistic is that non-white congregations will accept white leaders - but white congregations will not easily accept non-white leaders if at all.
This has long been the status quo in the Western world and in its mission grounds.
Ironically, the Western form of Christianity is on the wane - the global south is seeing great growth in the faith - and much of it home grown. There seems to be a shift underway both theologically and politically. But time will tell.
Same happens in multiracial churches with the majority white culture minoritizing, marginalizing, dehumanizing & oppressing other cultures... people!!!
Seems that this has happened with HOPE worldwide, too.... funders shutting down justice efforts.
"Those of us from former colonial powers tend to sin the most in this way (and I include myself in that number). Due to our financial advantage, we exert an undue amount of power. The local people we are trying to reach hesitate to speak up out of fear of losing the financial support of the wealthier missionaries. This dynamic can be very toxic and can stunt church growth in the long term. "
Totally agree. I was part of a group called Christians Seeking Justice (an anti-racist Christian group) — I know you are familiar but others may not be — and I was told I could not be on the board and my photo could not be on the website as it would upset some people. That was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Very recently, I've learned about Atlantic Bridge Initiative, a program of Mission Resource Network, based in the DFW area of Texas, USA. Over the past few years, they've paired up traditional Black Churches of Christ with congregations in African nations, to help them de-colonialize the mode of worship and other distorted aspects of African churches. Because some Africans hesitate to participate in so-called "White Man's religion," this sounds like a good start!
Once again, thank you Nadine for talking about such issues. The funny thing is, many have always been able to see this, but felt helpless to do anything about it, so I'm glad it's being brought out into the open. Not to shame anyone but to give clear vision to those in power. The blackmail bit you mentioned really is so so bad, it is really a form of control, where emotional abuse is used to manipulate a vulnerable and less wealthy congregation, in the name of Christianity.
Appreciate this. I can say I sensed and experienced a variety impacts - intended or inadvertent - including transference of cultural practice, language and values of the missionary culture into the local church. Sometimes locals saw these as superior.
There was - and I still think is - a sense that Western missionaries only learn by what they observe - like how happy and grateful the poor can be in their third world lives - but a non-white person has nothing teach them. They can’t possibly be wiser than they.
Indeed a sad statistic is that non-white congregations will accept white leaders - but white congregations will not easily accept non-white leaders if at all.
This has long been the status quo in the Western world and in its mission grounds.
Ironically, the Western form of Christianity is on the wane - the global south is seeing great growth in the faith - and much of it home grown. There seems to be a shift underway both theologically and politically. But time will tell.
Totally agree
Same happens in multiracial churches with the majority white culture minoritizing, marginalizing, dehumanizing & oppressing other cultures... people!!!
Seems that this has happened with HOPE worldwide, too.... funders shutting down justice efforts.
"Those of us from former colonial powers tend to sin the most in this way (and I include myself in that number). Due to our financial advantage, we exert an undue amount of power. The local people we are trying to reach hesitate to speak up out of fear of losing the financial support of the wealthier missionaries. This dynamic can be very toxic and can stunt church growth in the long term. "
Totally agree. I was part of a group called Christians Seeking Justice (an anti-racist Christian group) — I know you are familiar but others may not be — and I was told I could not be on the board and my photo could not be on the website as it would upset some people. That was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
Very recently, I've learned about Atlantic Bridge Initiative, a program of Mission Resource Network, based in the DFW area of Texas, USA. Over the past few years, they've paired up traditional Black Churches of Christ with congregations in African nations, to help them de-colonialize the mode of worship and other distorted aspects of African churches. Because some Africans hesitate to participate in so-called "White Man's religion," this sounds like a good start!