In This Issue: Carl Medearis on on the identity dilemmas of living in “both/and” land
- Identity Dilemmas and Living in Both/And Land
- Drawing for a Free Book
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Greetings!
Carl Medearis, my friend and hero, writes a guest column for us this month. He wrestles with questions of role and identity in sharing the blessings of God with Muslims. Plus he shares a cool new way he’s living out the role God has given him. Enjoy.
Shane
Identity Dilemmas and Living in Both/And Land
Are You a Christian Missionary?
I was speaking at The Veritas Forum in Boston, where Ahmed, a grad student from Harvard, asked me, “Are you a Christian missionary?” Maybe you or someone you know has been asked questions like this. As I see it, there are three potential answers:
1. Yes.
2. No.
3. What do you mean by that?
Lately many missions pros have taught that #3 is the correct answer. People ask the question and we feign surprise or even ignorance, saying, “Excuse me? Am I a Christian missionary? Why, what do you mean by that?” And then they say something (inaccurate) that allows us to say “no” (#2) with a bit more integrity. Make sense? Others would just say “yes,” (#1) thinking that answer carries the weight of integrity.
I don’t think either answer has a lock on integrity. Here’s why. Since we know that Muslims (and, I’d argue, almost everyone alive today) think of a “Christian missionary” as someone who is doing unhelpful maybe even harmful things to cultures and families, why would we ever agree to be labeled that way? And if we respond with answer #3, I’m afraid we give the impression we’re just trying to avoid #1. People aren’t dumb.
Let me back up a bit: If you are, in fact, a Christian missionary, then you should simply answer “yes.” We shouldn’t be deceitful or try to fudge by giving clever answers (which typically don’t work anyway). Just say “yes,” and then explain what you mean. You want to help people see Jesus. You choose to live in a different culture in order to do good things. And then give examples of what you’re doing. You’re supported by friends and churches back home and you love the people of your new culture. I think most folks respect that sort of answer.
If you’re not doing any of that stuff, then simply say no, and tell them who you are. Shouldn’t be any need for secrecy.
What if You Live in Both/And Land?
The challenge, of course, is that many of us live in “both/and land.” Sometimes we are “Christian missionaries” with much of what that entails. Other times we’re not, or would prefer not to be. Sometimes (like back home in our churches) we’re happy with the label. Other times, we’re embarrassed by it. We struggle to figure out who we are and whether we can sometimes be one thing and other times be something else. How can we live with authentic honesty, integrity, and wisdom?
I told Ahmed at Harvard, “No, but I used to be,” then went on to describe how wonderful most of the missionaries I’ve known have been. How much love for people and God they demonstrate. And that I was pleased to be counted among their ranks. But now I’m a businessman, doing many of the same things, and I’m still all about loving God and my neighbors! All that’s true and it really is my identity.
Middle East Experience
So to put this thinking into action, to live into the role of “businessman who loves Jesus,” I teamed up with some friends to start a website called Middle East Experience. It’s for-profit, as in, we want it to make money. And we expect to personally profit from the site. We got some investors together and put about $20,000 into design and production. We did this so it would be sweet. And make money. And help a lot of people.
Think about this website with me for a second. How do we make it do these things? Who’s our audience? Are we a Christian site? Are we Christian, but trying not to look like it? Are we a Jewish-Christian-Muslim site that doesn’t take sides? A political advocacy site? Supporting the Palestinians maybe? Or something else entirely?
It’s complicated. We need to make money, have integrity, share a message, not offend folks (or they won’t come back) and do all this in a way that’s crazy interesting. Let me just say, it’s not been an easy equation!
The solution is all wrapped up with where I started this article: My identity. Who do I want to reach, what am I reaching them with, and what is the best way for me do that? These are my questions, but I’m not the only one asking them and a lot more of us need to.
If we make the site appear Christian, we reach a Christian audience. But we want to be broader than that. If we are not Christian, then why are we even doing what we’re doing? Here’s where we landed: It’s a purely 100 percent secular site that presents all points of views as equal and valid, without commentary. We’ve let Middle Easterners, and those few outsiders who write for us, speak for themselves. So we have Israelis from all persuasions. Palestinians from all sides. Both liberal and conservative Muslims. Saudi women, businessmen, politicians, peacemakers and even some warriors. We have the Hezbollah, Hamas, and an Israeli Settler from the West Bank. They all speak from their varied personal perspective.
We also have some who love Jesus: traditional Christian Arabs and Muslims who are trying to follow him. Once in a while I bring in my perspective, just being who I am, talking freely and openly about this Jesus whom I love, worship, and follow. There are a couple of others who share their light in creative ways through videos and blogs. Even so, I doubt anyone would look at the site and come away with the thought that it’s “evangelistic” or Christian in some way.
We are making money through advertising and through charging a small fee for a premium subscription that allows members to join a monthly video conference call with some of the most influential leaders in the Middle East. Men and women doing extraordinary work in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Palestine and Israel, Lebanon and Sudan. They are businessmen and women activists. Gandhi-esque peacemakers and undercover fighters. I know them all. They have agreed to do these calls to share their lives and stories with us just so we would know. They want us to know who they are. That they are real people with husbands, wives, children, dreams, and jobs. And yes, also people who want Jesus. They want to know him. They don’t only “need” to know him, they want to!
Business, Missions, or Both/And?
To all of you who are straight up good old-fashioned Christian missionaries: God bless you. I honor you for who you are and the integrity with which you live your lives. For those of you who are business people: Go for it. Make a million bucks and share the love. Really. Don’t hold back. Make wheel barrel-loads of dough.
But for those of us who live in “both/and land:” There’s hope. With some clear thought, lots of prayer and an amazing team, you can do it. Let the creative juices flow.
Editor’s Note: You can respond to this article in one of the ways described below, and don’t forget to check out Middle East Experience.
Drawing for a Free Book
Carl has graciously agreed to give a free copy of his book Muslims, Christians, and Jesus to three Missions Catalyst readers. To enter the drawing, do one (or more) of the following:
- Comment on the article on our website.
- Forward the article to a friend.
- Tweet a link to the article.
- Share this article on Facebook.
Winners will be randomly chosen on Friday, March 15.
Shane Bennett writes and speaks for a great organization called Frontiers. Lately he’s wondering about how Muslim immigrants in Europe might fully experience God’s blessing.
He’s also working with some buds to leverage a $49 a month smart phone plan to raise a ton of money for cross-cultural workers. Email him for info on the plan or the vision.
I was on my first mission trip ever…..and, it was to Afghanistan in 2003. I had been told to never tell an Afghan that I was a Christian…instead, to always say, “I am a follower of Jesus.” I had also been told to never look an Afghan man in the eyes. As soon as I got off the plane and was trying to find my suitcase……an Afghan man walked up to me, looked me straight in the eyes, and said, “You are a Christian, aren’t you”. I was overwhelmed…but, remembered to say, “I am a follower of Jesus.” Ever since then I have felt like I denied Christ…it has always bothered me. The look on his face was somewhat understanding and he did not say anymore.
I know your article was geared for an American audience that can be very casual with faith matters, but if you say to Middle Easterners or non-westerner “I’m a businessman who loves Jesus,” don’t you think to them it sounds so disrespectful? Unless Jesus is just a man of convenience in your life, then of course you can have your love for Jesus and your love for money too. But the truth is, in reality you are willing to die for Jesus, not your business. So why not give an answer that elevates Jesus rather than tags him on to your business. Something like: “business is the career I’m in, but my life’s vocation is to follow Jesus.” At least this helps your listener begin to understand what is important to you. Be blessed.
I believe your discussion left out one very important principle. I also work in a creative access country. I teach our team members and my practice is to answer with #3. Not because we are to be deceptive or that we are running some cloak and dagger operation. It is simply a principle of communication. Unless I ask the inquisitor what they mean by “Christian” how can I know their thinking. We Americans rush into conversation without listening first. In fact we are often talking simultaneously showing people from other cultures that we aren’t really listening to them. We have two ears and one mouth, so let’s use them in that proportion. Even here in America people have lots of connotations that surround the word “Christian”. Just consider the context of when the disciples were first called “Christians” in Acts 11:26. The term carried cultural implications and connotations which may or may not be true even today in various societies around the world. At an English corner public square a person popped their head into the circle and blurted out, “Are you a Christian?” I responded, “What makes a person a Christian? How does someone become a Christian?” The following discussion with the entire group led to one man saying, “What must I do to become a Christian?” Later I found the inquisitor was using this question throughout the public square to force conversations to be turned to spiritual things. He himself was a Christian. A simple “Yes” answer would not have opened that door. May I conclude by adding that if one feels like they are denying our Lord by not answering directly, that guilt is not from the Holy Spirit but rather caused by our traditional evangelical culture and background.
Thanks David For Your Reply. I Think You Were Right On That Number Three Does Not Have To Be deceptive, But Actually About Good Communication. If We Get A Definition From ThemThat Matches Ours, We TheN Can Say Yes.
I’ve rarely been asked that question – “Are you a Christian missionary?”, but most times it is a mutual sharing of – “what do you do?” referring to one’s occupation. From that, there arises some good conversations about what is a true Christian and hopefully an interest in how does one become a follower of JESUS. My habit, when I travel, is to engage others in conversations about what they do fairly early on in meeting, but I also make it a habit to ready my Bible. Even on one occasion of a long flight, not feeling well, not wanting to be in conversation and thinking I had an empty seat right up to just before doors closed…I kept my habit of reading my Bible, but DID NOT want to talk to anyone & I’d asked GOD to ‘exempt’ me please this one time! Well I ended up in a 6+ hour conversation with the man who sat next to me and he later came to follow JESUS! Plus I found I had 3 fellow believers in front and behind me that prayed for my conversation with this dear man…and I didn’t feel ill anymore! Only GOD can do that! 🙂 And only HE should receive the glory!
Ruth Ann: Thanks for reading and for your honest and poignant comment. Since you answer only to God, not to me or other Christians or Afghans, for that matter, I pray that God will either give you a sense that you weren’t denying Christ or that, if you were, you’re completely forgiven. God knows everyone reading this has denied Christ, most in more significant ways than you did in Afghanistan (If in fact you did deny him, which I emphatically do not believe.). Much grace to you as you continue your journey.
David: Thanks for reading and weighing in with a helpful comment. I appreciate it. You raise a good point and take us deeper in the discussion. Jesus tended to respond to questions with questions, to bob, weave and feint as he spoke to an eastern audience. Much of this depends on context, doesn’t it? Who are you speaking to? What is your relationship with them, etc? Thanks again for adding to the conversation.
Kevin: Thanks for reading and chiming in. I appreciate it.
Joe: Great story. Thanks for sharing it. I appreciate the reminder that God seems pleased to use us even when we don’t see it coming. Thanks for your example of obedience.
Ian: Thanks for reading Missions Catalyst and commenting. I can’t speak for Carl, although he might be amused if I tried! My hunch is, though, that your proposed response, “give an answer that elevates Jesus rather than tags him on to your business,” is very much what Carl intends to do. I agree, we don’t want to relegate Jesus to a secondary place in our lives. But, even as I write that, I suspect that I do just that in many ways. God help us all.
I am a tentmaker so I dont get asked with that question. Mostly, people would just ask what my religion is. I indeed have training in cross-cultural ministry but I am happy keeping a job now in another culture with the desire to share my faith in the process. And because i’m into health care, I actually get to help people without the suspicions. Im glad that i dont have to struggle with what to answer because I dont get any regular support from anyone. I do ask for help once in a while but that’s a different story. So I can definitely relate to what Carl was saying…
Btw, I dont think that calling yourself follower of Jesus is some sort of denying Christ. How is that possible if youve actually already connected your relationship to him? Since many people outside of the western hemisphere have misunderstanding of the word Christian, it’s just sensible to present yourself in a way that is more understandable to them. The word Jesus is more pure and powerful than the word Christian which is so tainted [as a word, not as who we are].
I’m reminded of Jesus’ statement to the disciples, “Be wise as serpents and gentle as lambs.” I don’t recall at this moment where that is, but it has stood out to me over the years. Discernment is a valuable thing. Discerning the person’s intention who asks—are they stereotyping, looking to trap, or genuinely interested. And discerning the Holy Spirit’s leading in our own heart.
It’s seems there is an evangelical political correctness that needs to be navigated nowadays, which I understand in part (after 40+ years of following Jesus), but still wonder why it must exist. It seems we evangelical believers are just as suspect in stereotyping of one another (“does this person fit into my acceptable parameters?”) as nonbelievers do of us.
I appreciate the insight and thoughtfulness of Carl’s article and appreciate his, and the people he’s connected to, willingness to step outside the traditional box of outreach.
Deen: Thanks for reading and thanks for your comment on Carl’s article. May God grant you success in both your medical work and your work as “ambassador for Christ.”
Trip: Thanks for reading Missions Catalyst and contributing to the conversation. I appreciate your reminder of the importance of keeping our ear tuned to the Holy Spirit. That’s a good word.
I’m unable to reach the web site (www.middleeastexperience.com). Everything checks out as far as domain registration. Is it just down right now? (10:16 PDT 2013-03-14)
Try again, Matt.
enjoyed the article and I am looking forward to making this a place to stop when online. I think it is great that this is a place where people can communicate their views. It will give us a great presepctive and understanding of what is going on in the Middle East and Muslim countries. Thank you