11.11.07
The Authority of a Stranger
I was talking to a friend of mine the other day about leading a church as a foreigner here in Italy. I told him that our plan all along has been to train Italians to take over as soon as possible. We know that no matter how hard we try, anything that we do here is still going to have a hint of “American” in it. And so we think it’s wise to let Italians take over so that they can plant a truly Italian (the missionary word is indigenous) church.
My friend stopped me and said that he disagreed. He said as foreigners, we can say things to Italians that another Italian couldn’t say. In a sense, we have an authority that an Italian wouldn’t have.
I’m pretty sure that I disagree with him. But I do see his point. Jesus himself said that a prophet is without honor in his own town (Mark 6:4). Maybe initially a foreigner would have more authority over someone “home grown.” But I would think that there would be a point where the foreigner simply can’t learn to relate to the culture anymore. And at that point, I think the native takes over and goes where the foreigner can’t. Or maybe it’s backwards. I’m not really sure. But I’d love to keep talking about it (pssstt… that means you should leave an insightful comment). 
Ryan said,
11.12.07 at 11:58 pm
Brian,
What a great insight you share. I was having a conversation with someone last week and we were discussing the issues of supporting missionaries. The focus was whether a church should have a relationship of supporting a missionary for 15, 20, or 30 years. The point being, at some point shouldn’t the church the missionary is planting or leading be self-sufficient if they are truly becoming a healthy church. Perhaps there is a fine line between supporting a missionary and enabling a codependent relationship. I’m just “typing out loud” here so I’m not trying to offend, just engaging in the discussion.
I appreciate your perspective of raising indigenous people. I don’t know how long that should take for a missionary to succeed in that, but it is a tremendous discussion topic.
God bless,
Ryan
heather seybold said,
11.13.07 at 9:03 am
true, but can authority truly be “turned over”? will they still see you (or at least think of you) as the “real” pastor, even after you’re gone, especially in such catholic territory? And what about a team of both, American and indigenous? Wouldn’t that be the balance to both sides?
Josh_Furnal said,
11.13.07 at 11:27 pm
great questions! what DO you think brah?
heather seybold said,
11.14.07 at 11:02 am
the later–indigenous and american
Brian said,
11.14.07 at 11:16 am
As a team, we’ve thought about “recruiting” from other churches here in Italy. Somehow it’s never gotten past the thinking-about-it stage. But according to my friend, an Italian in leadership still wouldn’t be as effective as a foreigner. I just don’t think I can buy that.
sqjtaipei said,
11.16.07 at 3:54 am
This is the classic “both/and” situation in my mind.
Locals and foreigners working together… asking God for wisdom and discernment to know how to proceed. There are a lot of things that foreigners can’t say to locals too. I say both are good… but once the church really takes root… bye bye foreigners.
Amy Cormode said,
11.18.07 at 10:17 pm
Hi Brian,
It’s great that you are willing to talk and think and discuss this issue. It is obvious by your blog that you are both sensitive to the Italian culture and that you enjoy it. In my own observation over the last fifteen years or so, the churches in other countries that are healthy and thriving almost always have leaders who are native to that country. It is an interesting discussion though to consider that perhaps foreigners address topics or discuss issues in ways that a native couldn’t. Maybe one key is that idea that God transcends culture, so when you have people of more than one culture working together, and if they really do work together, there is a greater openness to God’s leading in ways that might be outside of one culture’s norm.
I think of the church we spent a summer with in Modugno (Southern Italy), started by Dutch missionaries, and whose pastor is Italian, but married to a Dutch woman. They know all the insides to the Italian mind, but also love foreigners of all stripes and are open to many ways of ministry that they find in other countries, including the US. But it is always played out through an Italian filter, that is, even an American ministry idea takes on a unique Italian flavor when it gets in their hands. I almost think the willingness to be open to ways of doing church outside of your culture just gives you an advantage. So perhaps a team of both nationals and foreigners is of great advantage.
Thanks for all your interesting cultural blogs, I love it, you are quite insightful and they take me back to my own experiences both sweet and frustrating from our time there!
peace in Christ,
amy
heather seybold said,
11.24.07 at 10:11 am
tell heidi to email me, please!! i heard something at the end of a clip, that i need to talk to her about!