The
likelihood is that most metropolitan churches are already ministering in
communities where the majority of people living there are different in some way
from those attending the church. This prospect raises the question, “How does
the church cope with other?”
Whatever
the mixture or the percentage of complex culture, each church needs to discover
several things. First of all, “What is the make-up and size of the complexity
in your church’s community?” Secondly, “What are the needs your church might be
able to meet?” And finally, “Will your church reach out to them?”[1]
Other
questions we can ask are, “How do people cope with large numbers of people who
are different?” “How are people able to navigate and remain oriented in complex
culture?”
Lyn
Lofland, an expert in dealing with issues surrounding “same—other,” suggests
that we can learn to cope with large numbers of strangers by identifying the
differences between us, while being respectful of other people.[2]
There are several strategies people use to cope with their perception of “other.”
1. One
of the first ways people deal with the “other” they experience is to observe appearance,
or how people look. For example, Roman citizens wore white togas. Purple in
Europe has been the color of royals; professors and lawyers (along with wigs) wore
unique robes. Today, professionals like priests, nurses, bus drivers wear occupation
specific uniforms. Business executives wear dark suits. College professors often
wear tweed jackets, slacks with a loose or an absent tie, and professional
women often wear suits.
In
complex culture the variety becomes so great and the appearance so varied that
one can come to false conclusions. One example is that many people mistakenly
consider Sikhs to be Muslims because they wear turbans.
2. A second way people attempt to cope with
“other” is by considering where they see someone they do not know—or place. Young
people on a campus can often be assumed to be students. People dressed in suits
in an office district are presumed to be business people. One negative example
of this, African-Americans driving cars in predominantly white areas are often stopped
by the police, because it is assumed they are not in the right place
(DWB—driving while black). Most people tend to keep to places where they feel
safe.
3. If appearance does not let us know, or geography
tips us off, a third possibility of coping with strangers is personal
interaction; ask social class questions. For example, when a visitor comes into
our church, their appearance may not help us. We know where they are, so some
our first interaction is to ask the questions, "Where are you from?" "What
do you do for a living?" or "Where do you go to school?"
If the church is a community,
what should it look like?
What kind of a community is
your church?
How do your people engage new
people who visit your church?
How does your church compare
with the examples above?
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