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Stewart 5

Arthur:Melissa:ArthurPaul:Iain:Mairin

One-way Mirror

February 21st 2007 Posted in Arthur, Culture, South Africa

Yesterday, I was talking with a friend about the parallel worlds that exist in South Africa. This is especially true of the white and black cultures. Now, there are of course exceptions, but I have found the following to be generally true here:

  1. There exists a white culture, filled with white people, who spend time with one another, live certain ways in certain places, and generally have the advantage of all the great things South Africa has to offer.
  2. There exists a black culture, filled with black people, who spend time with one another, live certain ways in certain places, and generally live far below the standards of their white counterparts. Blacks are allowed into the white world, but not INTO the white world. They can work there and shop there, but not live there or interact with those who live there.
  3. Whites don’t go into the black world and are generally ignorant of most of it.

My friend, Sean, makes the observation that it is like a one-way mirror. Blacks are on one side, and they can see through to the white world. They know what it is like, often they aspire to have a similar life. Whites, on the other hand, can’t see through. They look at the mirror and see themselves. It’s all they know.

There are places in SA where these worlds interact far more than described above. And there are people who live and move between these worlds for many reasons. I would hope that people see us in this category. Because that is where I think Jesus would be. Though he was not ignorant of the social norms of his time, he chose to ignore/break them as a bringer of the good news of the love, freedom, reconciliation, and hope of God’s Kingdom.

What barriers like this exist in your world?

What can you do about it?

* Comments(2)

Amahoro

February 08th 2007 Posted in Amahoro, Arthur, Church Next, God, South Africa

I am writing this because of a very unique opportunity I have been given. On May 7-18, 2007, the Amahoro Africa Gathering will be taking place in Kampala, Uganda. This will be a first-of-its-kind “conference” for leaders from across the continent to talk together about being a faithful and effective Church for God’s Kingdom. I, along with my teammate Luc Kabongo, have been invited to attend!

Amahoro

The Church around the world is considering how to best address the cultural changes taking place around us. In the West, the Church must adjust to the different expectations and understandings of reality that are prevalent in the emerging postmodern worldview. In Africa, we are figuring out how to be a vibrant, effective, and AFRICAN Church for the post-colonial generation.

While each context is different, we are finding that our processes, and possibly even solutions, are not so far apart. Around the world, a conversation has been growing among an emerging generation of younger Christian leaders. This conversation isn’t just about exploring ideas; it is also about building relationships and building networks. That’s why Amahoro exists – to learn and share together.

With Amahoro, many African (and some non-African) Christian missional leaders will gather for constructive dialogue, planting seeds of thought and preparing the soil for new partnerships. We are seeking to define and embody what it means to “be the church” in the emerging post-colonial/post modern world, particularly here in Africa. We believe that as we do, we will enrich the Church worldwide.

Why this is significant

This gathering is important for several reasons:

  • First, it is being led by Africans. Not Westerners, Northerners, or all the “experts.” Instead, it is Africans gathering to talk about Africa. Are there any better “experts” than these? From the margins of the world’s society, these leaders are assembling for a milestone in the development of the African Church.
  • There will be missional Christians from across the continent. Leaders who are earnestly seeking God on how to reach out to this generation in ways that will nurture healthy, strong, joyful followers of Christ. How do we help those in physical and spiritual poverty? Perhaps our answers will provide insight to others asking the same questions around the world.
  • We will be gathering with like-minded/like-hearted Africans. This is a unique opportunity to learn from and share stories with others who are on the same journey as us. May God reinvigorate His Church in and through us.
  • On a personal level, it is a great honor to be invited to attend an African leadership conference. I have been asked to come as a representative of South Africa! This is a significant “thumbs-up” to NieuCommunities SA.

How you can help

This conference will cost $1200 for airfare to Uganda, conference costs, meals, accommodations, and local travel in the area. I need help covering this amount. Would you consider giving money specifically for this conference beyond your normal financial support? Every little bit will help toward the total amount.

If you click on this link, it will take you directly to a webpage where you can give online

I encourage you to check out the Amahoro website for more information. It is sure to be a valuable and important conference for the Church in Africa. I hope you can help me get there!

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