Dual Belonging ?

The picture is a oil pastel painting I did based on a picture I saw in Bangkok, Thailand of a common religious image – a Buddha figure sitting under a Banyan tree in the traditional Lotus position. It made me think whether Christ would be portrayed in that culture in such a way - Jesus the Enlightened One.   

I have been attending a consultation at  Pilgrim House  in Korea on Global Network of  Centers of World Mission (GNCWM 2011)   

A colleague of mine presented a paper. He is currently working on a doctorate on the concept of dual belonging -  the idea of following Jesus from within another religious system. 

This has been well established among the Peoples of the Book  -  Messianic Believers who are Jewish and follow the Messiah,  and Muslim followers of Jesus – Muslim Background Believers (MBBs ) and the idea of Insider Movements.  

But my colleague is from Malaysia and from a Buddhist background.  His brother is a Buddhist ‘priest’. It is part of who he is.  And religion and culture are difficult to seperate, socially politically, legally.  How does he as a Christ follower continue contact with his family and their culture?

Taking it further - Is it possible to be a Disciple from within another religious system?  He writes:  

The last frontier for Christian mission in the 21^st century is the meeting between religions, and the most important task for Christian mission, I would like to propose is not the challenge of contextualisation but the challenge of in-religionisation.  Evangelicals must, “ask not only for ‘inculturation’ but ‘inreligionization’, i.e. not only Chinese Buddhism or Indian Christianity, but also Hindu Christianity”[1] (David Bosch, Transforming Mission)

Beyond the debates of insider movements, “inreligionisation” will be attempts by Christians coming from Asian religious traditions to "believe that it is possible and even necessary not only to accept in theory certain doctrines or practices of other religions and to incorporate them, perhaps in modified form, into Christianity, but also to adopt and live in their personal lives the beliefs, moral rules, rituals, and monastic practices of religious traditions other than Christianity [1]  

How can a person remain true to their own culture and discover afresh the Global Christ -  Jesus ‘the man for all men’  without necessarily converting to Western forms of Christianity. 

It’s a fascinating concept and has raised eyebrows in some parts of the world. How is it possible to belong to two religious systems at the same time?  Some would differentiate between faith and religion, and suggest that  a true faith relationship with Jesus is possible within a religious system other than Christianity. They would say it is possible to believe and be a disciple and follower of Jesus without having to convert to the whole package.  And retain some of the key cultural-religious identity. 

It is I know contentious.  

A strong missional principle is contextualisation - the gospel needs to be interpreted from within the lens of another culture, but the line between contextualisation and syncretism is a thin one and depends on what position you are arguing from. 

There is a sense where most of us carry more than one label:

No one today is purely one thing. Labels like Indian, or woman, or Muslim, or American are not more than starting-points, which if followed into actual experience for only a moment are quickly left behind. Imperialism consolidated the mixture of cultures and identities on a global scale. But its worst and most paradoxical gift was to allow people to believe that they were only, mainly, exclusively, white, or Black, or Western, or Oriental. . . . No one can deny the persisting continuities of long traditions, sustained habitations, national languages, and cultural geographies, but there seems no reason except fear and prejudice to keep insisting on their separation and distinctiveness, as if that was all human life was about. Survival in fact is about the connections between things; in Eliot’s phrase, reality cannot be deprived of the ‘other echoes [that] inhabit the garden .[3] (Edward Said, in Culture and Imperialism)

 This suggests that it is not simply an 'either-or' issue, and that it may be possible to carry more than one label at once; 'both-and' 

As a Hindu, Ram Gidoomal discovered Christ,  as the "Sanatana Satguru" - the eternal and true guru.  Now as a Christ follower, he describes what Jesus achieved in Hindu terms:  “Jesus is the bodhisattva who fulfilled his dharma to pay for my karma to negate samsara and achieve nirvana!” 

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[1] David Bosch, Transforming Mission, Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1991:477-478.

[2] Peter Phan, Being Religious Interreligiously: Asian Perspectives on Interfaith Dialogue (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2004, 61

[3] Edward Said, in Culture and Imperialism (New York: Alfred Knopf, 1994), p. 336

Yeshu Satsang Toronto

an excellent example of multi-cultural worship from Yeshu Satsung Toronto, recommended by one of the participants at the recent Fresh Expressions and Pioneering conference.   Similar to Pal Singh's Sanctuary in Birmingham. It also reminds me of the music of Aradhna  

Playing for change : One Love

I have been totally inspired by a You Tube video 'Playing for Change'

Do check it out. Promoting 'peace through music'

For me it expresses something of a vision I have had for a long time from a summer school back in 2000, a dream or vision of CMS as:

‘A feast, a celebration, a multi-cultural event of ‘world music’, a rich variety, kaleidoscope, mosaic, tapestry, with colour and variety, great diversity and various harmonies. Cultural differences being apparent and exaggerated eg African drums, Irish Bodhran, Indian Tabla and Pakistani Nal/Dolak . But still a Unity : One world - a praise song expressing the ‘Love of God’ and celebrating a common humanity. An increasingly energetic drum beat (like the Millenium Song: ‘A Perfect Day’.) One song with many manifestations: With people from the margins at the centre of the song’ (‘addicts’, ‘criminals’ ‘prostitutes’,’ unemployed’, ‘disadvantaged’ as part of this great recovery movement)

That was written abck in 2000 and as you can see, 'Playing for change' really connects with that vision:

Playing for change have a new film out and suggest that people host a 'peace through music' party. Go for it !

Local Heroes in Asia

Helen who worked for the Asia Team as East Asia Administrator has written about a Co-Mission Partner meeting in Pune earlier this year.  

Helen spoke to Adrian who looks after CMS work in the Region: 

"This was the first ever gathering just for people working with CMS in Asia who are from Asia. It therefore had much more of an Asian than British or Western character and identity.”

For CMS, ever-increasing collaboration in the region could also signal a new step forward.

“Given the growth and current scale of our work in South Asia this is now the time to establish some kind of physical presence in the region,” said Adrian.

Indeed, on leaving the conference, Adrian felt he’d begun to glimpse something new that had hitherto been just a dream. 

“It was not just another conference – there was a clear sense of celebration of the emergence of an identifiable ‘Asia CMS’.”

You can read the full article on the CMS Website  

and an earlier post on my blog The Changing Face of Asia 

Shalom House Migrant worker centre SEOUL

 

'Migrant workers are our neighbours who we must embrace as our friends'

Shalom House is a part of the Namyangju Anglican church of Korea. Since the 1990s migrant workers from at least 15 countries have gone to Korea in search of their dream in Namyangju area around 1500 workers 

Run buy Colombo Kim,  in his tweed jacket he looked every bit a private eye. He certainly has a heart for justice and has been imprisoned as a result of protesting on behalf of migrants.  
This extensive centre ministers to Filipinos, Nepalese, Pakistanis, Indian and many others.They run Computer classes,   Korea language,   Fitness Gym, Hobby centre,  medical clinic, dental clinic,   physical therapy,  shelter for men plus another for  women and children.  Also a drop in centre selling clothes (fixed price 1000 Wan – less than a dollar) a library and resource centre with artefacts from Nepal Indonesia and Philippines as a cultural museum. 

I was particularly struck by the church where they ring the bell when the police come looking for illegal immigrants - resounding solidarity.

It would be a great place for a short term worker teaching English and also possibilities for English speaking clergy Accommodation and food can be provided

Afterwards we visited a Lent group in the home of the Shalom driver.   We sat on the floor in their flat and Rev Paul Koh conducted a simple service and then we ate food - many dishes in honour of the centre and its committed clergy and staff. A wonderful family atmosphere. And great food! 

God is rice: Masao Takenaka

GOD IS RICE

I am reading the classic book on Asian Spirituality 'God is Rice:  Asian Culture and Christian Faith' by Masao Takenaka (WCC,1986)

I will share some of his insight over a number of blogs because it covers a range of interests in church, culture, mission, art, spirituality. And it connects very much with the search for indigenous, Asian missiology.     The following is an extract:  

Asia is so big and diverse. It is not easy to identify Asia. What we have in common is the habit of eating rice, the ubiquitous bamboo, and the use of broken English as a necessary evil for inter-Asian communication.

We can trace the Silk Road along which silk was transported by horses and camels. We can trace the ceramic route taken by boats. Both were primarily for the rulers and the rich. But we can also trace the rice road, and that was used by common people all over Asia. To be sure there were varieties of rice; what one ate depended on geography and personal preference. Nevertheless, it remains true that rice has been and is our daily food in Asia.

It is appropriate for us therefore to say ‘God is rice’, rather than ‘God is bread.’  Kim Chi-Ha, the well known Korean Christian poet, who was sent to prison several times in the last 10 years (70/80s), has written

Heaven is rice
As we cannot go to heaven alone
We should share rice with one another
As all share the light of the heavenly stars
We should share and eat rice together
Heaven is rice
When we eat and swallow rice
Heaven dwells in our body
Rice is heaven
Yes rice is the matter
We should all eat together

It certainly reminds us of holy communion, which is the occasion to share our daily food together with all people and a symbol of eternal life. This has a social implication as well as a spiritual meaning. The Chinese character for peace(wa) literally means harmony. It derives from two words: one is rice and the other is mouth. It means that unless we share rice together with all people, we will not have peace. When every mouth in the whole inhabited world is filled with daily food then we can have peace on earth.   (p 17-19)

'Last Supper by' Sadao Watanabe

When he was in his mid teens Sadao Watanabe, a well-known Japanese print artist, fist visited a Christian church, introduced by a neighbour who was a school teacher. He had lost his father when he was ten years old, and tended to live a closed and isolated life. He described his first impression of Christianity as follows

'In the beginning I had a negative reaction to Christianity. The atmosphere was full of "the smell of butter", so foreign to the ordinary Japanese'

(Sadao Watanabe - the man and his work by Masao Tekenaka in biblical Prints by Sadao Watanabe 1986)

Now in his print work he joyfully depicts the celebration of the holy communion with sushi, pickled fish and rice, a typical Japanese dish, served on traditional folk art plates. For him rice is a more natural and a more fitting symbol of daily food than bread which is foreign.    (p6-7)

Around the World in 80 Faiths

A beautifully filmed exploration of world faith, which arouses my curiosity, in a gripping, disturbing, perplexing, fascinating, confusing, enlightening 'cultural-touristic' romp through 80 different faiths, religions, sects and rituals in 6 continents.  I wonder what, if anything, will make sense by the end of the series. 

Around the World in 80 Faiths started on 2nd January 2009, on BBC2

In eight episodes, part-time Anglican vicar Peter Owen Jones explores the astonishing diversity of the world's religions as he travels around the globe, observing and taking part in the most important rituals of 80 of the world's faiths.
On the way he explores some of the planet's most beautiful and holy places. He meets snake handlers, Voodoo practitioners, whirling dervishes, horse-riding Sikhs, Shamans and Taoist monks seeking immortality.
He participates in some truly remarkable events, including an Aborigine baby-smoking ceremony, exorcisms, a séance, a Christian healing, Muslim prayer, a Hindu cremation and Zoroastrian wedding.
Pete starts his journey in Australasia and Indonesia followed by the Far East and Africa.
From there he travels through the Middle East, North America, India, South America and finally Europe.
From the great massed festivals of Christianity, Hinduism, Islam and Buddhism to intimate rituals practised by remote tribes. From religions half as old as time to brand new cults and sects, this eight-part series will bring a genuine understanding of the deep diversity of human spirituality.

from the BBC website

You can view the trailer here

Peter Owen Jones (a bit of a Tom Baker-ish Dr Who look alike) is an Anglican Priest from Sussex. There is a book to accompany the series. There is even a Flickr group to share relevant photos and of course discussion groups.  And you can see the episodes in bits on YouTube.   Lots to get involved in. 

International Carol Service, Christchurch Woking, 20 Dec 08

‘JOY TO THE WORLD’

These pictures of Madonna and Child from around the world, formed the cover for our International Carol Service on Dec 20th. Yet again a little glimpse of heaven as people from different ‘tribes and tongues, peoples and nations’ worshipped God in over 20 languages. Somehow this symbolises the coming of Jesus as ‘the person for all people’ 

The International, multicultural carol service has become a part of our Christmas celebrations. The style is 9 lessons and carols, all read and sung in different languages, representing the multi-cultural mix we have in Woking.

We had around 20 languages - Tamil, Arabic, Farsi, Armenian, Urdu, Russian, Uzbek, Latin, NT Greek, Nepali,  Akan, Swiss German, Japanese, Mandarin, Cantonese, Malay, Swahili, Ibo, Afrikans,  English and Northern!  The last one was quite splendid with the Magnificat being read in broad lancastrian. 

Some of the highlights included the Swiss family Lampérth singing 'Das isch de Staern vo Bethlehem'   (with trumpet);  an Armenian couple Asator & Roubina Ghazarians playing classical guitar and singing 'Mojdeh, Isa bedonya amad: Good News Jesus is born'. Quinton Dippenaar sang a solo, karioke-style 'Hierdie Kind: This Child' in Afrikaans. The local Chinese language school formed a choir of around 15 and enthralled us with 'Ping An Yie:  Silent Night' in Mandarin.   

Rajen Cheetri read for the first time from a Nepali Bible, I had brought him back from a trip last January (previously he had translated  the text himself).  He also rejoiced at the fact that for the first time in Nepal, Christians can celebrate Christmas on 25th Dec as a public holiday  (See announcement in Christianity Today)

We also had an interview with Dr Haroon of Kunhar Hospital who thanked the congregation for the support (at the first International Carol service 3 years previously) of the work of the hospital during the Pakistan Earthquake. (See article on the CMS website)

This year a collection was taken for  ACROSS (12 churches together in Woking providing hospitality and welcome for Asians) and the Graceworks Youth Ministries - focussing on their partnerships with turning Point Turst in the Kibera Slums of Nairobi, Kenya and Bethesda Childrens' Ministries in Goa, India.

ACROSS's new coordinator Asif Mall from Pakistan gave a short address on 'Christmas:the never-ending story'. He is also involved in an Urdu, Christian Apologetics Satellite TV programme on Glory TV.  (see web link mentioning Asif on Religious intollerance in the West)

It was a great evening with International food and refreshments to round it off. 

There was a write up in the Woking News and Mail  1st January  'Global Joy at Carol Service' (unfortunately the article is not online - nor the photos)   They quote me as saying:

'my work means I get to travel a lot and attend many churches around the world. This was an opportunity to bring some of those experiences to Woking and to allow people who don't usually get to hear, speak or sing their native language in church to be able to do just that.'

C.M.S. Christmas Mailing Service Dec 08

CHRISTMAS MUSICAL SPECTAULAR

Alexandra Burke won the X factor final singing Leonard Cohen’s song Hallelujah and has sparked a mini war on the internet over whose version is best. The purists (like me) prefer Jeff Buckley’s.  You can read all about it in the Times online    Actually I also really like a version by Canadian singer Allison Crowe.  There's also an article on the CMS website on Halleluyah's X Factor by Martin Wroe one of Greenbelt's Trustees and a main mover behind an online Community called Generous

Phil, based in India. posted a link on his facebook to another Music piece or should that read Music 'Peace'!   Playing For Change: Song Around the World "Stand By Me" which I thought was brill.

I have been inspired by a website wherethehellismatt  Excuse the title but watch the video: Dancing2008  It has become for me a metaphor of mission, inviting people to ‘join the dance’ and I have been showing it everywhere. Any theological reflections on a postcard please.

COMPLEXITY MADE SIMPLE

We had a CMS office party Christmas staff celebrations which went very well indeed You can look at the videos I produced as our ASIA contribution on facebook and I am trying to upload them to YouTube (inspired by the aforementioned film Dancing2008)   Anyone on facebook can see them already   Back on the Road Again  and  Will Ye Go? 

When Jonny Baker uploads his video Complexity Made Simple we will send you the link It brought the house down at our Christmas celebration. It was based on a talk that Tim Dakin did to a group of managers trying to simplify the complex. It is now part of CMS legend.

CONSTANTLY MOVING STRUCTURES 

We are anticipating more changes in the New Year. Don’t you just love change!
The Asia enquiry Process is going well so far. We have conducted around 25 structured interviews using a questionnaire. And have also had group processes in Thailand, at the faith2share  consultation in October and then in Rawlpindi and Karachi in Pakistan in November.  In February we are meeting partners in Pune India to continue the process and we are planning an event in East Asia, hopefully in the Spring.   All of this will feed into the process of Asia CMS becoming a separate entity (like CMS Africa) We will try to keep you updated.

CHALLENGING MONEY SITUATION

The global economic downturn is understandably affecting the charity sector. So we face challenges. Although I am assured that religions charities do are not as affected as others. However we are cutting back in order to face the challenge as well as increasing our fundraising targets.   But this means we are more than tightening our belts. There are some redundancies and vacant staff posts are currently frozen. There will be a strong emphasis to ensure that MPs are ‘fully resourced’ and this may mean if the situation cannot be improved for some severely underfunded MPS, we will seriously need to look at bringing people back earlier than planned. I share this not to raise anxieties but to be realistic about the challenges ahead of us in the coming year.  

     COMMUNITY of MISSION SERVICE
CMS is now acknowledged as a community within the Church of England, so let me know of you feel ontologically changed in any way!
What it is meant to mean is that we are acknowledged for who we already are, a ‘community of mission service’ - a movement of people in mission. But it will also be a way for people to focus their mission vocation and be resourced within the wider mission community. There are people working on the prayer resources encouraging a mission focused spirituality, building on the prayer resources we already have. What I have seen so far is excellent.

CELEBRATING MINISTRY SUCCESSES 

I thought that the resource that Sheilagh sent round our yahoo group, ‘Celebrating Successes in Ministry’, was a very helpful way of focusing thoughts during the change of year, a traditional time to reflect and plan and make those resolutions. Let us know if you get any profound thoughts.

That’s enough from me. May I simply pray that you will experience real peace and deep joy where ever you are, this Christmas, and may your ministry in 2009 be even more fruitful.

Phil