Missionary Arrogance
February 2nd, 2010
SOURCE: USA Today
As an American I realize the difficulty of breaking outside of our culture. It is unusual to hear about international issues on the nightly news unless of course its about the war or because a tragedy strikes. But even these issues tend to fall out of collective consciousnesses rather quickly as this video points out.
Our American isolation and cultural illiteracy creates weakened ministries for those who do nothing about it. However, we can also become cultural sponges if we are willing to humbly learn. This church group is now paying the consequences of their arrogance and not learning how to navigate the cultural/legal waters of Haiti.
Now I am not criticizing their motives, their compassion for orphans, or their devotion to Jesus and his mission in the world. But I am criticizing their arrogance; their seemingly unwillingness to obtain even a vague understanding of the Haitian culture/law.
I wonder if anyone on the team spoke Creole?
I wonder if anyone on the team researched Haitian adoption laws?
I wonder if anyone considered the fact that these 33 kids, ranging in age from 2 months to 12 years, may have surviving parents? They do.
We should never assume the way we do it (the middle class American way) is always better. And we should always be careful to presume that we understand how others are feeling until we do.
How arrogant we can all be sometimes. We think we are helping and end up doing more harm than good.
Believe me when I say that if I had a certain skill sets as a medical doctor, or engineer, or any type of disaster relief training, I would of been on the first plane into Haiti. But the last thing Haiti needs are pastors with a camera crew in tow and other groups of well-meaning people soaking up what little resources Haiti has. [One of the Americans is being treated in a makeshift hospital for severe dehydration and possibly the flu - medical care that needs to be going to Haitians].
But I want to “help” and giving money isn’t that sexy and I don’t get any pats on the back.
[I would argue that the money it cost this group to obtain vaccinations and get on a plane could of been put to better use by giving to a Relief Organization. This crisis is not going to be solved overnight. There will be plenty of opportunity to follow Jesus into Haiti.]
In my arrogance, I want to go. And the *experts* could be wrong. Maybe what is needed more than anything are unskilled followers of Jesus to show some simple compassion which are probably not as rare in the midst of the devastation as we think they are.
So what are your thoughts?
13 Responses to “Missionary Arrogance”
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One word…motive! I think we as believers have a Spirit given compassion for hurting people. We should ask “what can I do?”. Widows and orphans right? And if God said to Michael “go!” I know you would, regardless of your experience or expertise.That is why one must go however; because God said to. Not so I will feel better as a Christian. Not to show the world that this is what American Baptists do. It’s not about me. Motive…
Your are correct Wes. Motive is key. And I think this groups motives were pure, but they failed to get at least a basic understanding of the culture/laws of the people they were trying to "help" and assuming they had a better way than. That equals arrogance.
I cringed when I first read the title of the post. I didn't like the use of the word arrogance paired with the word missionary…..As I thought about it further I think that arrogance might be the right word but it is probably not arrogance as we generally use the term in our everyday lives but rather arrogance as in lack of submission/lack of meekness. I'll wait and see how this specific situation plays out before saying much about wether they were arrogant or not.
Thanks for chiming in Aaron. I think you are correct concerning my choice of words, but I couldn't think of another. I do believe their motives were pure, but Americans, in general, can be quite culturally arrogant.
The day the quake hit, I readied myself to go and then realized I would just be in the way and that the best thing I could do was support agencies like the BGR.
Compassion/sharing the gospel is a privilege as well as a call. That humility can help fight the "superhero" mentality, however good-hearted it is, that breeds this type of cultural arrogance. Respect and humility in the midst of a different culture goes a lot farther for the gospel effort there.
Okay Carpenter, I’ll bite once more.
How else would American Christians treat overseas “missions” than the same way they treat local missions? If at home we are not engaging the local culture by studying, yea even embracing it and those who live in it, why should we act differently abroad? If we’re right and they need to “get right” here, surely we’re right there as well! Right?
Right
I have followed this a little bit. Which for most of us, we only have the media showing us what is the reflection of the world's thoughts on this. Yes, the missionaries did go forth without much thought of the laws…Yet, we must not forget the media has been telling us there is nothing there…the government was deserted nearly. Chaos reigns….Now the government is trying to get a handle on things. So, what the heart said, was go…rescue…do something. Not the best plan,,,but better than 300 milion other folks have done. It is simple. It is not as the missionaries expected. So, the first thing they are accused of is being a potential Child theft ring….Gee,,,give me a break !! At the most they should be sent back to America and told to go through better channels. But, it seems that the world would have a trial. Interesting response to some middle america Christians trying to do what they through was best. Wrong way – Right motives……help them rather than condemn them….help them fulfill what they saw as a act of Christian compassion. Just my thoughts.
Thanks for weighing in James.
Michael, good thoughts. The word arrogance might be a little strong. I would say ignorance would be better or naïve.
As one who has worked disasters in the past, compassion is needed but compassion does not substitute for wisdom.
You are probably right Lewis. You should of read the first two drafts (grin).
I love that thought. How arrogant we are to assume that the people not called us want us to do it our way. Knowing many missionaries and having been on a long term mission trip to Mongolia, I can say that the ignorance of knowing a specific culture that you try to work in is paramount to whether you are successfull or not. I know God's Word doesn't return void, but have we ever thought about actually picking that Word up and reading it before we start doing God's work? I wonder what would change if we did? PRAISE GOD.
Thanks for stopping by Craig. I appreciate your perspective on this.