The local vs global challenge

I have been increasingly frustrated at late by an attitude of many of my fellow students at college and pastors I come into contact with. Whenever cross-cultural mission becomes the topic of discussion, many instantly shut off, declaring, "That is not relevant to me, I am called to Australia."

What the???????

I am not sure if they have openned their eyes lately, but more often that not, the two neighbours on either side of their house, and those in their street, are quite likely to not be born, or have parents born, in the same country as themselves! Cross-cultural mission not relevant?

So, they are called to pastoral or congregational ministry. Does anyone in their suburb live in a different subculture to them? Does anyone speak a different language at home or dress or eat differently to them and those in their church? Cross-cultural mission not relevant?

So, they are to be a youth leader, kids' church worker, pastor, music ministry leader, home group leader, etc? Are there not people in their team that can be trained and raised up to serve cross-culturally? Are there those attending their programs that are of a different cultural or subcultural background to themselves? Cross-cultural mission not relevant?

Today, in the Mission Spot at college, compulsory to all first year, full time students, David Crowe from InterServe spoke on a such an issue as this. Yeah! David spoke about having and local and yet global view - not either/or. After some basic biblical teaching on the theology of mission, he gave a beaut example of what this means:

When one is playing a racing computer game, what you see on the screen is the steering wheel and the road ahead through the windscreen. This is the local perspective. What you are doing in the here and now. However, there is a split screen. There is also a birds-eye-view of the whole track, with your car and the other cars marked. This is the global view. This view puts your work into the frame of God's bigger picture, and helps you see and plan for other work at different points of the "track".

Having a split view of mission and ministry is so important. One cannot deny that Australia has many cultures and subcultures present. How valuable it would be for those in ministry to be trained in cross-cultural skills and stratelgies by cross-cultural workers (ie. missionaries), missiologists, cultural anthropologists, mission agencies and aid & development agencies. And should have the opportunity to visit another country on a short term trip with a mission or aid & development agency, to truly understand the issues of others around the world.

Imagine the impact, effectiveness and grace of our churches then! What is your local and global vision for life and ministry?