PERSPECTIVE 8 September 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida edition In 1977, the famous movie producer and director Steven Spielberg introduced us to the character Roy Neary, who had a close encounter with aliens. Perhaps I am aging myself, but the five notes of G, E, C, D and F continue to ring in my head. My imagination was stirred, thinking about meeting someone from another planet, speaking a different language and sharing different values. I think, as humans, we are intrigued but terrified all at the same time. I recently saw a news story about a group of loggers in Peru encountering the Mashco Piro, an uncontacted indigenous tribe. The group had gathered on a riverbank in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest to see who had come to visit. Perhaps they, too, were intrigued and terrified all at the same time. Missions Many years ago, I had the privilege of leading the missions department of our church. Since high school, I had participated in several international mission trips and always appreciated the fact that they took me out of my comfort zone, made me question some of my assumptions and created opportunities to engage with new friends. The combination was powerful — it was a bit intriguing but terrifying all at the same time. Many of my earthly heroes are men and women who have devoted their lives to engaging people of different cultures, worldviews, perspectives, languages, dress, food, values and driving habits. I am always humbled by their intentionality and patience in going to hard places and doing the hard things (a tagline from one such person). These examples of fully devoted Jesus followers have always caught my attention because I am prone to ask myself if I would be willing to do the same. Am I willing to expose myself to such significant sacrifice and pain? I don’t believe God has called us all to venture out into some rainforest or desert to engage people — but has He not called us to engage with all people? “They” are different Recently, I was reflecting on how I’m surrounded by a culture, both in and out of the Church, that is very eclectic, diverse and sometimes hard to understand. Additionally, I couldn’t help but pick up on some of the divisive language used as people describe others who are different from themselves. I have been guilty of referring to the proverbial “they” on more than one occasion. I chuckle because I often wonder who the “they” are. I also know that my opinion of the “they” has often changed when I meet them, sometimes unknowingly. Several years ago, a longform ad for Heineken beer made such a point. Ouch! (Look it up.) Therefore, perhaps God has not called me into a foreign land thousands of miles away, but He has called me to approach my own neighborhood, place of work and community of family and friends the same way. Cross-cultural ministry My limited exposure to effective “cross-cultural” ministry (that’s a fancy phrase for missionary work) has enlightened me to some of the training and practices that go into preparing and engaging in the work that proves effective. Additionally, when we refer to “the work,” we mean introducing the life and teachings of Jesus so that the encounter with Him leads to a surrendered life. I have noticed many things, but there are a few that I can apply to my life now. First, I ask myself, how intentional am I? Am I willing to leave my comfort zone to enter the danger zone to share that simple message? Do I care so much that it affects my behavior? Second, if I discover a sliver of intentionality within my soul, am I willing to be a learner of what is around me? For example, Paul in the Bible noticed different idols in the city of Antioch, and that observation helped outline his conversations and teachings. A learner listens, asks questions, and acknowledges that they are often an invited guest and not the host of the conversation. A learner is humble, teachable and curious. Third, do I realize my job is to be the messenger and not the message? For example, when someone who thinks differently than I do is bold enough to ask for my opinion on a matter, do I respond with gentleness, humility and few words? Do I invite a similar response? Sometimes I feel the pressure to be so convincing of my point of view or belief that if a person does not respond favorably, I am tempted to double down with my rhetoric, sheer number of words, and “facts,” hoping to elicit a favorable response. Again, ouch! (Because it’s embarrassing!) Lastly, God encourages me to play the long game. I noticed that my heroes always played the long game. They are “lifers,” knowing that they may never see the response they were hoping for — not yet at least. Ambassadors Therefore, I am surrounded by people from another so-called “planet.” They speak different languages than I do, hold different moral values and have different dress, hobbies, foods and political views. Those around me can even possibly threaten my way of life too. However, God has called me to be, first and foremost, His sent ambassador. He has assigned me to a people and a place, and it’s my distinct privilege to see those around me the way He does. Perhaps there is much I can learn from my missionary heroes. God has invited me to experience a close encounter of His kind, and the five notes are F, G, A, C and D notes…which is His Amazing Grace. Stephan N. Tchividjian is the CEO and co-founder of the National Christian Foundation South Florida. Visit southflorida.ncfgiving.com to learn more. Close Encounters of the God Kind - Stephan Tchividjian - CEO and Co-Founder, National Christian Foundation South Florida
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