(Missionary) Etiquette 101
Nov/04/2009 21:35
"Dress Code: Want to wear a Hawaiian shirt to your board meeting in Silicon Valley? Be our guest. But in Dubai? Not so fast. Here's how to look appropriate anywhere, from Indonesia to Italy"
Looking down at the pamphlet on the bench between my wife and I at the airport, the above line caught my eye. I've never seen anything in mass production like "Etiquette 101" before and we've been in dozens of airports through the years. I grabbed the little booklet and carried it with me on the plane to read. As I opened it up, I found out that it was a step-by-step travel guide on how, as an American, I can learn to dress appropriately when traveling in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, complete with instructions on how a women is to wear a properly wrapped Hijab in places like Egypt, Iran, Jordan, and cities like Dubai. Important stuff to know. I have to admit, in all my years of traveling I've never read or seen anything like it in an airport before, and there wasn't just one, they were scattered all over the terminal. When we were living in Ireland it was always a running joke between our friends on how many American tourists we could spot in city centre Dublin, not because they were obnoxious or unwelcome (most of the time), but because of the funny way they dressed. As one who speaks from experience, it takes time to become culturally aware of things like white sneakers and fanny packs!
Now that it appears that we Americans have finally become aware that not everyone dresses like us I started thinking of something similar for missionaries, Missionary Etiquette 101. When Americans travel to other places in the world we have an obligation to quickly learn the local customs, mannerisms, do's and don'ts, and fax-pas. Not because we're representing a nation or government, but we're representing the King. Our job is to be as attractive and winsome as possible, to, as Paul said, become all things to all people in order to win as many as possible. So, without doing something that contradicts scripture or is beneath our calling what are some things we should put on our Missionary Etiquette 101?
I know there are dozens, maybe hundreds of other things I could add to Missionary Etiquette 101 but these are but a few born out of personal experience. What would you add to the booklet?
Looking down at the pamphlet on the bench between my wife and I at the airport, the above line caught my eye. I've never seen anything in mass production like "Etiquette 101" before and we've been in dozens of airports through the years. I grabbed the little booklet and carried it with me on the plane to read. As I opened it up, I found out that it was a step-by-step travel guide on how, as an American, I can learn to dress appropriately when traveling in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, complete with instructions on how a women is to wear a properly wrapped Hijab in places like Egypt, Iran, Jordan, and cities like Dubai. Important stuff to know. I have to admit, in all my years of traveling I've never read or seen anything like it in an airport before, and there wasn't just one, they were scattered all over the terminal. When we were living in Ireland it was always a running joke between our friends on how many American tourists we could spot in city centre Dublin, not because they were obnoxious or unwelcome (most of the time), but because of the funny way they dressed. As one who speaks from experience, it takes time to become culturally aware of things like white sneakers and fanny packs!
Now that it appears that we Americans have finally become aware that not everyone dresses like us I started thinking of something similar for missionaries, Missionary Etiquette 101. When Americans travel to other places in the world we have an obligation to quickly learn the local customs, mannerisms, do's and don'ts, and fax-pas. Not because we're representing a nation or government, but we're representing the King. Our job is to be as attractive and winsome as possible, to, as Paul said, become all things to all people in order to win as many as possible. So, without doing something that contradicts scripture or is beneath our calling what are some things we should put on our Missionary Etiquette 101?
- Begin to think like a citizen of heaven, not of a particular country. Leave your localized politics behind.
- Learn their language in order to speak into the heart of the people you're serving. You'll never connect with the heart unless you do.
- Pay attention to the way people dress, talk, eat, socialize, discipline, mourn, celebrate, and play. This is called life and you need to learn how to live it.
- Never assume "the way I learned it is always better."
- Be careful to presume that you "understand" how they are feeling until you do. (This takes time)
- Recognize that you will always, on some level, be culturally different. Discover where you can be the same and where it's safe to differ without jeopardizing your ministry.
- Authenticity attracts real friends.
- Live as economically close to those around you as possible. Don't try to be someone you're not by faking wealth or poverty.
- Align yourself with the culture of Jesus as found in scripture then learn what cultural items you can safely acquire.
I know there are dozens, maybe hundreds of other things I could add to Missionary Etiquette 101 but these are but a few born out of personal experience. What would you add to the booklet?
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