Globalization and the mission of the Church
- Globalization is a constant, but uneven, flow of ideas,
goods, images, people, and diseases across national borders.
- One visible evidence of globalization is the worldwide sale
of the same foods, beverages, clothing, and electronic devices.
- Tragically, the flow of religious beliefs and practices across
cultural boundaries has often triggered aggressive intolerance and violent acts.
- Some things about globalization facilitate world evangelism. Other facets of globalization
have hindered Great Commission efforts.
Mission Briefing: Ideas shaping world missions today
The rise of globalization
Globalization became a hot topic in the 1980s. It still is. If you search for "globalization" on
the Internet, search engines like Google will give you tens of millions of web pages to read.
Conversations about globalization bring to mind beverages, clothing, and electronics brands
sold worldwide, as well as identical restaurants popping up around the globe. Some have used
"mcdonaldization" as a synonym for globalization. Of course, such images barely scratch the
surface of the topic of globalization.
The Lausanne Committee Occasional Paper #30 tries to capture the size and
complexity of globalization by describing it as the result of "a constant, but uneven, flow of
ideas, goods, images, people and diseases across national borders."
The phenomenon is much older than the word "globalization." Indeed, this
intersecting, clashing, and merging of people and their cultures can be seen in the Bible as early
as the book of Genesis.
Globalization and the mission of the Church
Globalization is both good and bad for world evangelism, and, honestly, the Church itself
has been a globalizing force. Christianity was born in a specific cultural context: First Century
Middle Eastern Judaism. However, in obedience to Christ's Great Commission, the Christian faith has now put down roots all over the world. Christianity has sparked change
and fostered connectedness almost everywhere it has gone. As a result, we can now be
open to being enriched and chastised by interactions with other believers from many
different cultures.
Some things about globalization actually facilitate world evangelism. For instance, because
of easy mobility, millions of believers have crossed international borders on short-term mission
trips. On the other hand, today's missionary teams are often multi-national. Thus, missionaries
have to think cross-culturally just by living and ministering with missionaries from other nations.
At times, globalization gives rise to seemingly contradictory trends. For example,
globalization leads some people to see religion in private and individualistic terms. For others,
globalization has caused them to slide toward secularism or, at the very least, embrace shallow
forms of spirituality. Then, tragically, the flow of religious beliefs and practices across cultural
boundaries has too often fostered aggressive intolerance.
Globalization and contextualization
In a world being shaped by globalization, missions leaders recognize that proper
contextualization of the Gospel is
paramount. In today's globalized world, situations like the yawning gap between rich and poor,
the mass migration of people (forced as well as voluntary), human trafficking, and debilitating
addictions cry out for God's people to get involved. These and other results of globalization can
make people fearful. They fear being stripped of familiar things and values. They fear being
torn from their heritage and thus losing their identity. They fear being marginalized in their
homeland.
As cultures rush along the globalization path, we must help believers avoid the extremes of
xenophobic isolationism on the one hand and naive cultural syncretism on the other. The Church
can be a lighthouse guiding people toward the fulfillment of God's design. Believers can be a
healing force for societies in pain. They can give voice to the oppressed and marginalized.
May we be wise and discerning as we deal with the things globalization throws at us.
Discussion questions
- What is globalization, and how does it affect the flow of religions across cultural
boundaries?
- How has globalization impacted Christianity? What challenges and opportunities
does this phenomenon present to world evangelism efforts?
- What are some of the seemingly contradictory trends that globalization has given rise to?
How might they be impacting religious beliefs and practices?
- Are there ways that the Church can be proactive when globalization seems to be leading to
declining interest in organized religion?
- Why is proper contextualization of the Gospel important in a globalized world? What are
some key issues in this regard that call for the involvement of God's people?
- How can the Church be a lighthouse and a healing force in a world shaped by globalization?
What role can believers play in addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by this
phenomenon?
-- Howard Culbertson,
This mini-essay on a key issue in world missions outreach is one of 12 articles in
the "Mission briefing" series
published in Engage magazine.
Afterword
Globalization has a complex impact on Christian world evangelism as it both facilitates and
obstruct the spread of the Gospel.
Ways Globalization May Help Christian World Evangelism
- Enhanced Communication:
- Internet and Social Media: Globalization has expanded access to the internet and
social media platforms, allowing Christian messages to reach a global audience.
- Broadcast Media: Christian television and radio stations can broadcast their
messages worldwide, reaching areas previously inaccessible.
- Increased Mobility:
- Ease of Travel: Missionaries and evangelists can now travel worldwide fairly easily and
frequently due to improvements in global transportation.
- Diaspora Communities: Migration and the spread of diaspora communities create opportunities for evangelism both in the destination countries and among returning migrants.
- Cultural Exchange:
- Intercultural Understanding: Globalization promotes cross-cultural
understanding and tolerance. That can facilitate the acceptance of Christian teachings in various cultural contexts.
- Interfaith Dialogues: Greater exposure to other religions and cultures can
encourage constructive interfaith dialogues. That can provide openings for Gospel proclamation.
- Economic Development:
- Resources: Economic growth in developing countries can provide resources for local churches and evangelistic activities.>
- Education: Improved education systems can lead to a more informed and literate population that may be more open to exploring different religious beliefs, including Christianity.
Ways Globalization Can Hinder Christian World Evangelism
- Cultural Homogenization:
- Loss of Cultural Identity: The spread of a dominant global culture might lead to
a loss of local traditions and languages. That can alienate societies from accepting external
religious influences.
- Secularization: Globalization often brings with it secular values. That can lead to a
decline in religious adherence and an increase in secularism.
- Religious Pluralism:
- Competition: The exposure to multiple religions and belief systems can create a
competitive environment, making it harder for Christians to point to the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Light.
- Syncretism: The blending of different religious traditions can dilute Christian
teachings and lead to syncretic practices that subvert the Gospel.
- Political and Social Resistance:
- Nationalism: Globalization can fuel nationalist sentiments. That can lead to resistance against foreign influences, including Christian evangelism.
- Regulatory Restrictions: Some countries may impose legal restrictions on missionary activities and religious conversions as a reaction to perceived cultural imperialism.
- Ethical Concerns:
- Exploitation: There are concerns about the ethical implications of allowing economic or social vulnerabilities to be enticements for conversion. That can lead to accusations of exploitation and insincerity.
- Conflict and Tension: Evangelism in a globalized world can sometimes lead to
social tensions and conflicts, particularly in regions where religious differences have historically been a source of
strife.
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