This hits on at least one issue I have with missionary work in our church (church in a broad sense, not just the building I go to). When we come home from the missionary field, we leave natives behind who now feel it proper to wear our clothes. Churches in India, Ethiopia, Kenya, Brazil, all think that their pastors are really blessed if they have a necktie or a pair of sturdy dress shoes. I cry foul. It makes me sad. I don’t see why we feel the need to detract them from “following the customs of the natives in respect to clothing…”. We don’t do it (as much) in the food part.
February 7th, 2008 - 05:59
That was great. Thank you for that.
This hits on at least one issue I have with missionary work in our church (church in a broad sense, not just the building I go to). When we come home from the missionary field, we leave natives behind who now feel it proper to wear our clothes. Churches in India, Ethiopia, Kenya, Brazil, all think that their pastors are really blessed if they have a necktie or a pair of sturdy dress shoes. I cry foul. It makes me sad. I don’t see why we feel the need to detract them from “following the customs of the natives in respect to clothing…”. We don’t do it (as much) in the food part.