Understanding Culture

Youth Ministry is Cross Cultural Ministry

For most of us involved in youth ministry, our mission is a cross cultural endeavour in which we are seeking to relate to people who live in a different world to us. So quickly is society changing, that the older we are, the more cross cultural will be our task. Therefore, as we begin this unit on Youth Culture, we will take some time to explore some basic principles of cross cultural ministry principles that will form a framework for the strategies that will be developed over the course of our studies.
We all have friends, peers, or children whom we want to help. Like all the very best missionaries throughout history, we must make every effort to discover the perceived and real needs expressed in this foreign culture of theirs. - Mal Fletcher, Youth: The Endangered Species

In what ways do you see that the culture of young people is different from your own?

Defining Culture

1.

Describing Culture
A culture may be likened to a river, with a surface level and a deep level. The surface is visible. Most of the river, however, lies beneath the surface and is largely invisible. In a river, what happens on the surface is both a reaction to external phenomena and a manifestation of the deep-level characteristics of the river. - Charles Kraft, Anthropology for Christian Witness

There are almost as many definitions of culture as there are books about it! In this unit we will consider culture as being made up of the following elements: a. Symbols: What is valuable

The symbols of a culture are those material things that are regarded as prized and valuable. These are the outward evidences of culture from the artifacts recovered from ancient cultures through to the objects that grace our homes today. In identifying the symbols of a culture, ask the following questions: What do people spend their (discretionary) money on? What do people prominently display in their homes? What do people prize for the convenience and comfort they offer? What are the symbols of status? b. Behaviour: What is acceptable

Each culture establishes certain standards of behaviour that are deemed acceptable. While still outward, these are less obvious than symbols, and range from the laws of the land, through to those conventions that determine what is appropriate in given circumstances. In order to identify the behavioural aspect of culture, ask the following questions: What is considered illegal? What behaviour is considered normal and what causes embarrassment or condemnation? What language is used? What ways of speaking are considered acceptable? How do people dress? What food is popular? How do people relate to the opposite sex?

-2-

c.

Values: What is important

Culture is the totality of what people learn, share and transmit by means of their interaction within a social group. - John & Erna Perry, Contemporary Society

Values mark the transition between the outward and inward aspects of culture. They are those non-material things that are regarded as being important, both in what people say and in how they behave. In order to identify these, ask the following questions: How do people spend their (discretionary) time? What value do people place upon human life and dignity? What is the role and significance of the family? What is considered ethical in a given situation? What is considered moral in a given situation?

d.

Beliefs: What is true

Cultural values are based on cultural beliefs. These are those underlying convictions about what is right and wrong. It is these beliefs that dictate values. To identify these, asks questions such as: What is considered to be right? What is considered to be wrong? What is the basis for determining standards of morality and ethics?

Culture is a design for living. It is a plan according to which society adapts itself to its physical, social and ideational environment. - David Hasselgrave, in Perspectives on the World Christian Movement

e.

Worldview: What is real?

Wherever we find the ultimate concerns of human beings, we find worldviews. - N. T. Wright, The New Testament and the People of God

The deepest level of culture is worldview. This concerns the preconceptions and assumptions about life which a culture adheres to ones that govern beliefs, values and behaviour, and deal with the deeper issues of existence. To identify these, there are some questions to ask: What is the intrinsic value of mankind? What is the meaning of life? How is truth determined? What is real and what is illusion? Who or what is God (god)?

-3-

Reflect on how our description of culture relates to youth culture. By using the questions suggested on the previous two pages, suggest some answers that young people today might generally give in order to build your own picture of youth culture: Symbols:

Behaviour:

Values:

Beliefs:

Worldview:

-4-

A REPRESENTATION OF CULTURE1

SYMBOLS

BEHAVIOUR VALUES BELIEFS

WORLDVIEW
What Is real?

What is true? What is important?

What is acceptable?

What is valuable?

Adapted from an article by Lloyd Kwast, Understanding Culture in Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, Institute of International Studies (1981)

-5-

The Core of Culture

At the core of culture is worldview. If we are to be effective in mission to a cultural group we must become aware of the way in which they view the world or reality.

1.
a.

The Significance of Worldview

The power of worldview

The real power of worldview lies in the fact that its perceptions are largely subconscious and are often more apparent to those outside of the culture than those within it.. A person may hardly be aware of these perceptions that make up their unique worldview, simply assuming them to be normal for everyone. b. The centrality of worldview

Worldviews are the basic stuff of human existence, the lens through which the world is seen, the blueprint for how one should live in it, and above all the sense of identity and place which enable human beings to be what they are. - N.T. Wright The New Testament and the People of God

Worldview is central to ones expression of culture. What one believes to be real determines what one regards as being true, which in turn answers the question, What is important?. The answer to this question determines what is deemed to be acceptable behaviour and what is regarded as valuable or prized. c. The formation of worldview

While it forms the central core of culture, worldview is created by the other elements of culture. A baby is born with no worldview. As they grow their worldview is shaped and formed by the beliefs, values, behaviour and symbols of the society in which they live. Thus, to change worldview is to go against the very culture in which an individual has been raised. d. Theology and worldview

Worldview is essentially a theological question as it answers the basic questions about a cultures perception of God and of man in relation to God. Ones worldview shapes ones theology, yet at the same time a change to ones theology impacts worldview. In fact we could say that theology must impact worldview if it is to become rooted in the life of the individual, and reflected in changed values and behaviour.

-6-

2.

The Ingredients of Worldview

A worldview consists of three things: a. A peoples understanding of the world

Our worldview is like a lens - it colours, clarifies, warps, or excludes the world. - John Wimber, Power Evangelism

A worldview will describe peoples perception of the world in which they live. It will contain the basic axioms on which belief is built and will answer the following questions: What is the nature of truth (e.g. is it absolute and fixed, or relative and changing?) What is the basis by which truth is determined (e.g. revelation, reason, intuition?) What is mans role and position in relation to the rest of creation? What is the meaning of life? b. Peoples understanding of God

A worldview defines peoples concept of God/god, the origin of ultimate cause. It answers questions such as: What forces are at work in the world What is the nature and character of these forces? Do we approach and apprehend these forces? What is our responsibility toward these forces? c. Peoples understanding of self

Finally, a worldview gives people a grid through which they view themselves: It answers questions such as: What is the value of man? Is it intrinsic or earned? What is mans purpose of life? What is mans responsibilities in life? By answering these questions we will develop a good understanding of what is real to a culture. It will provide us with an outline that will help us to explain the beliefs and values they hold, and the behaviour they exhibit.

-7-

3.

The Function of Worldview

At the centre of culture are the basic assumptions people have about the nature of reality and of right and wrong. Taken together, they are referred to as peoples worldview. - Paul Hiebert in Perspective on the World Christian Movement

A societys worldview has important functions to perform in relation to its culture: a. Provides meaning

A coherent worldview brings together a whole array of thoughts and perceptions into an integrated system of belief. It gives a framework by which a people is able to explain the operation of the world around them, and can then determine their best response in interactions with it. b. Provides comfort

In a world of uncertainty and unpredictability a worldview provides a degree of certainty and predictability. When something happens that challenges their worldview and makes them feel afraid or confused, most tend to look for comfort by discrediting the event through the reinforcement of their existing worldview. c. Provides security

A worldview acts as a means to monitor the new beliefs, values and behaviours that constantly confront us. It helps us to select only those ideas that fit our culture and to reject those that do not. It also helps us to reinterpret those ideas that we do adopt so that they fit our overall cultural pattern. These functions provide us with the reasons why it is hard for people to alter their worldview. To take an existing worldview and begin to deconstruct it in favour of another leads a person through a process of confusion (loss of meaning), turmoil (loss of comfort) and uncertainty (loss of security).

Based on the above, in one sentence explain why many people have a natural resistance to accepting the gospel:

-8-

Challenging Culture

In our work with young people we are faced with the challenge of leading them to embrace a new culture - the culture of the kingdom of God (more on this in the next session). In doing so we must challenge aspects of their existing culture, while being careful to do so in a manner that will be effective.

1.

Approaches to challenging culture

Just as anything that affects the roots of a tree influences the fruit of the tree, so anything that affects a cultures worldview will affect the whole culture and, of course, the people that operate in terms of that culture. - Charles Kraft, Anthropology for Christian Witness

The Parable of the Sower provides a model for approaches to challenging culture:
4

One day Jesus told this story to a large crowd that had gathered from many towns to hear him: 5 A farmer went out to plant some seed. As he scattered it across his field, some seed fell on a footpath, where it was stepped on, and the birds came and ate it. 6 Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. This seed began to grow, but soon it withered and died for lack of moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns that shot up and choked out the tender blades. 8 Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop one hundred times as much as had been planted. When he had said this, he called out, Anyone who is willing to hear should listen and understand! - Luke 8:4-8

a.

Adopting the symbols (vv 4,5)

In this first approach we encouraging young people to adopt the outward symbols of faith. These might be wearing a cross around the neck or a WWJD bracelet around the wrist. The symbols might also be owning their own Bible or listening to Christian music. It is a strategy common among parents and youth leaders who are trying to get a teenager to buy into Christian faith, and while not wrong in itself, these outward symbols alone do not constitute true faith. Nor do they necessarily lead to the embracing of faith, as they are easily discarded or eaten by the birds.

-9-

b.

Controlling their behaviour (v 6)

Because people are creatures of habit, they are conservative and resist giving up beliefs, values, and customs - aspects of non-material culture in favour of new ones. - John and Erna Perry, Contemporary Society

This second approach tries to control the behaviour of the young people. It might take on of two forms: positive and negative. A negative approach is to try to get the person to stop practising behaviour that is contrary to Christian culture. This may be done by any means from gentle coercion through to outright threat. A more positive approach adopted by some is to urge the young person to embrace Christian behaviour, which might be moral (doing the right thing), and/or spiritual, such as carrying a Bible, attending church and youth group, coming forward at a meeting, or being baptised. Neither strategy in itself is likely to achieve ultimate success, as the focus is on outward behaviour and not the heart. The result is shallow soil and any apparent evidence of faith quickly withers for lack of moisture. c. Imposing our values (v 7)

Another approach to evangelism is to try to impose our values upon the young person. A common way we do this is by establishing certain Christian values as part of the culture of our youth ministry and expecting conformity. Generally these values are positive values such as kindness to others and respect for leadership. They may even be backed up by the majority of the youth group who adopt them and in doing so exert a positive peer pressure on the newcomer. Yet as desirable as this is, conformity to these values does not constitute conversion. A young person may exhibit adherence to these values while in the youth group, and yet once faced with conflicting circumstances and pressures may find these values easily choked. d. Establishing the truth (v 8)

A more effective way to challenge culture is to focus on what is true. By giving people accurate information they are able to receive the seed of Gods word and go on to produce a crop one hundred times as much as had been planted. Yet many are unable to receive this truth, blinded by the false worldview which has captivated them. If they are to be set free to embrace the Christian faith they must be impacted at a more profound level

- 10 -

2.

Impacting Worldview
One reason why much missionary communication has been one way is that missionaries have not been conversant enough with worldviews other than their own. - David Hesselgrave, in Perspectives on the World Christian Movement

In order for culture to be entirely changed, a person must undergo a change of worldview. While a person may be intellectually convinced by the validity of the Christian faith and may in fact be willing to embrace it, lasting change and an effective Christian life can only be attained when worldview begins to change. Some aspects this change might happen at conversion, while others are more gradual, occurring as the individual grows in their faith and more fully embraces Christian culture. A change in worldview occurs: a.
13

By the action of the Holy Spirit

- John 16:13

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.

It is the Holy Spirit who is able to impact that deepest part of an individual - that part where they determine what is real. b. By exposing inconsistencies

The Pharisees asked Jesus, Is it legal to work by healing on the Sabbath day? (They were, of course, hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.) 11 And he answered, If you had one sheep, and it fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldnt you get to work and pull it out? Of course you would. 12 And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, it is right to do good on the Sabbath. - Matthew 12:9-12

Jesus frequently challenged peoples worldview by exposing inconsistencies of belief, thus opening them up to embrace a new perception of reality. c.
16

By role modelling a new worldview

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. - Matthew 5:16

A persons worldview can be changed when they view firsthand an alternative worldview lived through the life of another person. This first hand display of a worldview and its implications can cut through preconceptions and alter perceptions which would otherwise remain untouched by argument alone. - 11 -

The real agent of the Holy Spirit in any society for the changes in the culture of that society is the church, the body of believers. The church is the salt working through the whole dish. - Dale Kietzman and William Smalley in Perspectives on the World Christian Movement

Reflect on your ministrys approach to leading young people to trust Christ, and respond to the statements below by placing an x on the line. Make notes underneath each item in order to clarify your own thinking:

APPROACHES TO CHALLENGING CULTURE YES We encourage young people to adopt the outward symbols of faith more than the inner reality of faith. YES We seek to control young peoples behaviour more than seeking a change of the heart. YES We emphasise adherence to Christian values more than we do confession and repentance. NO We teach on Christian beliefs as a way to lead young people to commitment to Christ. YES NO

NO

NO

IMPACTING WORLDVIEW NO We approach evangelism with a real reliance upon the work of the Holy Spirit. NO In our Bible teaching we challenge young people to examine their worldview by exposing its consistencies. NO We seek to change young peoples worldview by role modelling an alternative worldview. YES YES

YES

The areas we most need to work on are: 1. 2.

- 12 -

For Further Thought

Profile the culture of the young people you work with by describing their symbols, behaviour, values, beliefs and worldview.

- 13 -