It is from my email I sent to my friends re: the expression, 'becoming more clearly intercultural."
How do you think?
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Two thoughts for now:
First, I feel unsure about whether intercultural is what needs a sort of ‘approval’. The expression that ‘becoming more clearly intercultural’ does not seem to sound right, to me. (However, I thank our friend for presenting that description because it is very useful for me to build up my thoughts and argumentation, here.) From my point of view, being intercultural is how we, or some of us, feel about what we need to do, how we think about ourselves, how we can relate to one another better and in a deeper way, and how we listen, how we learn and we grow.
It’s not what we engage with in the way and as if we put it among the competing agendas for securing a visioning priority of our church and as if only by doing so and therefore having the council's approval, we can start doing anything about it, clearly and ‘boldly!!'. Becoming intercultural is what we live out, at anytime when there is one or two voices coming up and being united because they feel a sense of urgency and goodness about it.
If ‘becoming more clearly intercultural' is about increasing the numbers of people with diverse ethnics and diversifying the shades and colours - so changing the face of the congregation - , well, I would still wonder whether it really needs the Council’s approval for that direction, but even if it does so, … that is not in my mind as my primary concern and enthusiasm. Because I believe, 'becoming more clearly intercultural’ is, most of all, about how we claim and enjoy the transforming process in which we are changed, challenged, comforted and inspired by one another. Put it differently, It is an emboldened action in faith to let others change us, challenge us, comfort us, and inspire us! It simply falls on the category that is general and for all, we believers - - how we live out faith in love and in action. When we think in this way, becoming intercultural is not what we need to wait for the Council’s approval, but we must start at any time when there is energy, growing interest, enthusiasm, and momentum.
What we need from the Council is their support, and their willingness to learn, grow, and participate. However, the Council’s approval is not the preliminary condition or foundation in which our effort grows and bears fruit.
Second, having the above in mind, 'that ‘becoming clearly intercultural’ does not wait for Council’s approval' also means that we don’t necessarily need to invest our energy in convincing the Council, as our effort's primary target. They are not our primary target. As our friend affirms, “we can grow this priority” from the grass roots up. We can act as the vessels in the plant’s stem at this point. We help the liquids (resources) flow through and reach to each cell (people), and together we are part of the plant and grow as an organic body. The primary targets are each and every person we meet in the church.
Please let me know, if anything above is not clear, or should you have any question or concerns, let me know.
I originally posted to my Facebook page on October 21: https://www.facebook.com/hana.park.357284
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