Principles of Culture Change (taken from Prof. Timothy Tennent)

1) Understanding – Missionaries must first understand the element to be changed or affirmed from the point of view of the indigenous people.

2) Focus – Missionaries should focus on a minimal number of negative paradigm changes rather than peripheral ones.

3) Dialogue – conversation partners

Contemporary – seek out and enter into dialogue with indigenous leaders and their perspectives and opinions working with them for biblical change.

Historical – appreciate historic creeds and their wisdom. “Tradition is the greatest expression of democracy.” – Chesterton

4) Time – accomplishing biblical change in the culture takes time, which all too often doesn’t settle with Westerners. Issues like homosexuality will not vanish overnight. “Dot forget you’re preaching to the grandchildren.” – Walls

Philip Jenkins, author of The Next Christendom and The New Faces of Christianity has now completed his trilogy on global Christianity with the release of his final work, God’s Continent: Christianity, Islam and Europe’s Religious Crisis.

See earlier reviews for TNC and TNFC.

Some adoptive fathers and good friends of mine recently launced a new web minstry to adoptive fathers. Here is the purpose/welcome statement:

“This is a resource site for guys connected to adoption or foster care at any level. Whether you’re an adoptive or foster dad yourself, or have siblings, in-laws, friends, or even children thinking about/investigating/diving head–first into adoption or foster care, this site’s for you. Welcome! ”

Check out www.adoptivedads.org

Looking for a way to gain a bearing for continued personal growth, for you, for your church or ministry. Check out Steve Moore’s Personal Growth Inventory/Assessment, which is free here. Steve is also the president of the Evangelical Fellowship of Mission Agencies.