November 18, 2004
the priviledged have no voice
in one of my more critical moments, i listened uncomfortably to a speaker on Christian mission. he was mostly from my perspective, i don't know what i would have said differently. missions must be holistic, emphasize peace and justice, be done sensitively and with cultural awareness and contextualization of the gospel message.
but there was something that didn't sit right. i think it may have been not the message, but who we are. it is seriously difficult to imagine myself as a "missionary" as one who is a white, male, u.s. american, with priviledges economically, socially, and in a solid Christian upbringing. i don't think that means that my faith is not real or justified, but i don't know how much it has been genuinely put through the fire. one can only speak "to the extent that they have suffered," which in my case seems minimal. if there is a calling or a need for a mission in my life, maybe it is simply (or not so simply) moving in with the suffering and trying to get by with them. maybe it is to learn what life is really about, when all the ease and comfort is taken and i really become vulnerable. really, what does that take?
Posted by Derrick at November 18, 2004 07:22 PM