When Cultures Coincide

Phil Jenkins | 22:14, 20 September 2012

"So how was the trip?"

"Which one?" I asked. "To Namibia or to the States?"

In the last month, as part of my sabbatical, I’ve had the privilege of seeing two of the wonders of the world. First the Victoria Falls and last week the Grand Canyon.

Not that my sabbatical is planned around trips to see the natural wonders of creation – that has been a wonderful unexpected extra - but it has still been interesting to reflect on these trips taken almost back to back with their glaring contrasts and yet also some strange similarities.

Sometimes when travelling in Arizona you could be forgiven for thinking you were back in Namibia. There’s the initial “warm” welcome as you step off the plane and into a wall of heat which feels like you’ve suddenly opened an oven door. Temperatures in the high 30’s with that familiar arid landscape of semi-desert bush were reminiscent of much of Namibia. The ubiquitous cactus plants and the stark beauty of rocky landscapes silhouetted by sunsets in a clear sky; the welcome breeze at the end of the day and the slightly fresher feel of early mornings before the sun got too high in the sky. All these had a distinctly Namibian flavour. 

The spiritual temperature of both Namibia and the US, at least in the southern states, is considerably warmer than the UK. Church going is still in vogue. A much higher percentage of the population in southern Africa and the southern US would be unapologetic attendees at some church most Sundays. It’s not hard to get a crowd for a weekly spiritual top-up, whether it’s the 500 who spill out of the church building and under the trees in Sauyema every Sunday in the Kavango, or the 5000 plus that fill and refill the various venues of Scottsdale Bible Church for their seven congregations each week. And whichever way you look at it, there’s something very encouraging about being part of such a large number of people. 

Of course both situations have their drawbacks, the principal one being nominalism. A church-going culture can mask a lack of genuine faith and committed discipleship. I knew that only too well having spent more than twelve years working in Namibia, but I was surprised to find the same challenge expressed very honestly by some of the pastors responsible for evangelism and spiritual formation at Scottsdale.

Materially there are massive differences between the Kavango and Phoenix. Even someone from a relatively affluent middle class church in the UK could be forgiven for thinking that Scottsdale is in a higher league. The numerous niche market shops and the Ferraris, Maseratis and Mercedes in the parking lots are a world away from what we’d find in our local Asda or Tesco.

Those huge cultural and material differences certainly provide a big challenge as we try to grow meaningful, missional partnerships with Sauyema in Kavango and Scottsdale Bible Church in Arizona – how do you relate to each other in a way that’s a genuine partnership with reciprocal benefits for both churches? If the motivation for all parties is the glory of God and the building of his Kingdom, and we move forward prayerfully and biblically, I’m sure partnerships can be of real value.

One final abiding similarity is the overwhelming welcome and kindness we received in both the Kavango and in Scottsdale. Of course I already knew many in the Kavango but it was a first for me for the US and for Scottsdale in particular. Undoubtedly these are God’s dear people with a heart for mission and the gospel of Jesus Christ. In one very real sense, therefore, we are already in partnership with them whatever formal links may or may not be forged in the future.