Challenges of Western Missions: Cultural Imposition and Dependency

What Is Wrong with Western Missionaries?

As Christians, our primary mission is to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19-20). This great commission is not exclusive to any particular culture or ethnicity, but rather a call to all believers to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth. However, in our zeal to fulfill this mission, have we as western missionaries unknowingly brought harm to the very people we are seeking to serve?

Western Hegemony in Mission Work

For centuries, western nations have been at the forefront of global missions. From the colonial era to modern times, western missionaries have spread the gospel to every corner of the earth. However, this history of western missions has not always been a positive one. Many western missionaries have imposed their own cultural and theological biases on the people they are seeking to reach, leading to a form of cultural imperialism.

Western hegemony in mission work has taken many forms. For example, western missionaries have often insisted on western cultural practices as a prerequisite for conversion, leading to the loss of indigenous cultures and traditions. Additionally, western missionaries have often presented a westernized version of the gospel, which may not necessarily resonate with the local culture. This has led to a rejection of the gospel in some cases, as local people struggle to reconcile their own culture with the foreign theology being presented to them.

Western Missions and Dependency

Another negative consequence of western missions is the creation of a culture of dependency. Many western missionaries have approached mission work with a paternalistic mindset, assuming that they know what is best for the local people. This has led to a situation where local people become dependent on western aid and support, rather than taking ownership of the mission themselves. This can lead to a situation where western missionaries become the primary drivers of the mission, rather than the local people themselves.

Dependency on western aid can also lead to a situation where local people become passive recipients of the gospel, rather than active participants. This can lead to a lack of sustainability in the mission work, as local people may not feel a sense of ownership or responsibility for the mission. When western missionaries leave, the mission may collapse, as local people have not been empowered to take over.

Learning from the Early Church

So, what can we do to avoid these pitfalls of western missions? One solution is to look to the early church for guidance. The early church was not driven by western cultural or theological biases, but rather by a deep love for Jesus Christ and a desire to make him known to the ends of the earth.

The early church was also characterized by a sense of shared responsibility and ownership. Each member of the church had a role to play in the mission, and each person was empowered to use their gifts and talents to further the gospel. This sense of shared responsibility and ownership can also be applied to modern missions, where local people are empowered to take ownership of the mission and play an active role in its success.

Furthermore, the early church was characterized by a deep respect for the diversity of cultures and traditions. The gospel was presented in a way that resonated with the local culture, rather than being imposed from above. This approach can also be applied to modern missions, where western missionaries seek to understand and respect the local culture, rather than imposing their own cultural and theological biases.

Conclusion

As western missionaries, we have a responsibility to ensure that our mission work is characterized by respect for diversity, shared responsibility and ownership, and a commitment to sustainable, locally-driven solutions. We must avoid imposing our own cultural and theological biases on the people we are seeking to reach, and instead seek to understand and respect the local culture. By following the example of the early church, we can ensure that our mission work is truly transformative and life-changing for all involved.