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Global Perspectives
Mar 6, 06:36 PM
Teaching the Beeson International Leaders doctoral students is especially exciting for me. For instance, the class that is on campus now has students from DR Congo, Zambia, Liberia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Germany, Ukraine, and England. The class that was on campus previously had students from Kenya, Congo, Malaysia, Estonia, Romania, Brazil, the Philippines, and India. When I am teaching, it is like having the world in the room. Each comes from a unique cultural setting; each must contextualize the material into that setting; each contributes to the class from the perspective of their culture. This is not to imply that each culture has only one distinct perspective. Within each setting there is still much diversity depending on many factors. Nonetheless, the differences are profound but we love each other and learn from one another – that is Kingdom life. As the world is globalizing, so also is the church. The Kingdom has always been global. The world has become more globalized. The church is starting to catch up.
It is important for believers to get with this unique opportunity. We can no longer treat other cultures as novelties to be studied as if they were in a travelogue. The give and take of cultural perspective and practice must shape our own. For too long the West and the Western church has been inappropriately dominant and colonial in its thinking. As we begin to listen in humility to our brothers and sisters from other parts of the world, they will help shape us in important ways. It is a thrill to see this go on in a micro kind of way in the midst of a single classroom.
Tomorrow (March 7) I go to Athens, Georgia, for a book signing and some family time, then back to Kentucky on Sunday (March 9) to teach our resident students (Leadership) Monday – Wednesday. I leave for Malaysia on Thursday.
On another matter, I am scheduled to defend my dissertation on April 22 and pending a successful outcome I have been approved to graduate on May 24. My graduation is one year early and required approval from the Academic Committee. I will, of course, let you know how it comes out.
As I teach and make my contribution to the seminary and to training leaders, and as I travel, speak, and teach in other places, I always think of all of you. So many of you are supporting us in incredible ways. My heart swells when I think of you. Others perhaps follow the ministry or the writing through this site and I want you to know that we pray for you as well, even those of you we do not know.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. God bless you!