Developing Cultural Missionaries

Every week there is news of a fresh discovery or advance in the area of human biology. Whether it is face transplants or the creation of human/cow chimeras, issues of life and death are high on the political and social agenda.

Christians are often confused as to how we should engage with these matters. Do we go on the attack, and become 'Christian activists'? Do we withdraw, and form our own safe and isolated communities? Do we syncretise, and become indistinguishable from wider society?

The recent ‘Church & Politics’ day highlighted that the most valid approach is to become cultural missionaries - those who understand the culture in which they live and are determined to engage with that culture, in order to transform the culture.

In the UK there are 180,000 abortions every year. There are significant moves to legalise euthanasia. There are alarming advances in bio-technology. As cultural missionaries we need to be clear about the value God places upon human life, created in His own image. When our theology is clear we must put our beliefs into practice by building communities that care for the old, the sick and the newborn, and so demonstrate to our society that there is a better way to live. With sessions on the theology of abortion and euthanasia, the hospice movement and crisis pregnancy counselling, and reclaiming the absolute value of human life, this day conference informed, equipped and stimulated.

It ended with a glimpse into the future - a future of nano-technology and staggering genetic breakthrough. The church must not be passive in the face of these developments. We must be cultural missionaries.

Matt Hosier
New Community Church SE London