Navigating Cultural Differences in the Body of Christ: Reflections on a Church Retreat

Anonymous

Recently, I attended a retreat at a different church and had a unique experience that led me to some new reflections. The church I usually attend is a relatively diverse large church with various ministries, while the church I visited for the retreat is a small church focused on student ministry and consisting of a single ethnic group, which is similar to the on-campus Chinese fellowship that I usually attend. As I arrived at the retreat location, I immediately felt the difference in culture and tradition, which brought forth both positive and negative emotional feelings. When I first arrived at the retreat center, many brothers and sisters came and talked with me and I felt warmly welcomed. But when the small group reflection and sharing session started, I noticed that except for the small group leader, there was an elder in every group to comment and provide feedback for others, which made me feel I had to make every sentence a complete, correct statement to avoid being misunderstood and judged. I felt a lot of positive and negative emotions, but the negative emotions were the ones that led me to a lot of introspection.

My negative emotions mainly came from recognizing the different influences of Chinese culture and American culture on the church atmosphere. On one side, there can be a subtle reliance on teaching, while on the other side, there can be a subconscious bias towards freedom. When there is an emphasis on teaching, the small group discussion tends to lean towards everyone sharing their struggles and weaknesses to those who are more knowledgeable or elders, to analyze and provide spiritual help, which can limit opportunities for mutual support and growth. When small group discussions are more free and open, people tend to speak more freely, and those who talk more may be more likely to take the conversation off topic. Moreover, when there are incorrect or untruthful statements made, there may be a lack of someone who is firm in pointing out the problem.

I am grateful God reminded me through the book of 1 Corinthians that every church has its own traditions and gifts, but all churches should be united in one heart and one mind as the body of Christ. We also need to be aware that our surroundings may affect our understanding of the truth. In the same culture and tradition, people can easily fall into fixed ways of thinking when it comes to understanding the truth, which can hinder them from freely walking in the truth.

Types of Cultures

There are many cultures in this world and many more churches built within cultural influences. For example, in general there are three basic categories of cultures: innocence and guilt, honor and shame, and power and fear, which influence our motivations, perspectives, and approaches. In guilt-innocence cultures, authority may be found in the rules or law, while honor-shame cultures find authority in who is respected by the community and what the community thinks. Power-fear cultures might find authority in whoever appears strongest. It is essential to recognize the strengths and limitations of different cultural influences, and to seek a God-centered approach in creating an atmosphere of support and growth within the church. There can be a balance between teaching and sharing, where both can play a role in building up the body of Christ. It is also important to cultivate an environment where everyone is encouraged to participate and contribute equally, regardless of their cultural background or level of knowledge. In addition, having a clear understanding of fundamental truths based on the Bible and being firm in correcting incorrect beliefs or ideas can help maintain a healthy and edifying atmosphere within the church. Ultimately, I think consistently seeking the truth from the Bible and the guidance of the Holy Spirit and being open to a diverse community could lead to a healthier body of Christ. Diversity and unity are the way.

As a follower of Jesus, it is important for me not only to think about the church as a whole, but also to be more aware of the impact of cultural customs and traditions on myself, and to clearly see what might hinder me from living out the truth and being more like Jesus. I believe that besides the issues I have reflected on, there may be more areas that require additional introspection and processing.

Difference

This experience also helped me understand why Paul's letters to different regions had different emphases. It is essential to recognize the different cultural and traditional backgrounds within the body of Christ, while at the same time maintaining a clear understanding of the fundamental truths of the faith. We must always seek the word of the Lord to discern and navigate through the various cultural and traditional influences that could impact our approach and interpretation of the truth.

I pray that God will speak to me personally, open my eyes, and remove the influences from this world that weigh me down. May His Word and divine guidance help me in spiritual growth and maturity.

May we always stay sober in God’s kingdom.

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Reflection Questions:

1. Have you ever come across a clash of cultures in your church group? Do you see the strengths and weaknesses in the way your culture affects the outgrowth of your faith in Christ?

2. Some say there are cultures that are based on shame/honor, guilt/innocence, and fear/power. What culture do you see prevalent in your church community? What are the strengths and weaknesses that exist and how might Christ be calling you to walk in that knowledge?

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The author of this article is an engineering PhD student currently living on the Northeast Coast of the U.S. and originally from China. She has an interest in connecting engineering with social science, listening to classical music, and learning to do Christian counseling.

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