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Church
Glocalization: Engaging A Flat World
by
Dr. Bob Roberts Jr.
Oscar Muiri shared the metaphor that God is like a diamond. From where I sit I look at the diamond and see red, but from where he sits he looks at the diamond and sees blue. So we argue what color the diamond is. The problem is that it is both depending on the perspective from where you sit. For those who are open and willing, we are about to learn things about who God is that have not been unlocked since the reformation and before. I’m excited about that. Does that mean we ignore Calvin, Luther, Augustine, and other voices of the historic church? Not at all, we learn and build upon what they have taught us. But we also do not need to let it box us in. I believe that Luther and Calvin would be leading this glocal charge if they were alive.
I am learning more from the church in the East than from anyone else in the world. There was a day when all my gurus were white guys from America but not anymore. I hear guys in the West wanting to show up in China and India and help them as if they have all the answers. God is moving in China and India! Our response should be to go, sit down, shut up, learn, ask questions, and bring them over here to help us!
GLOCALIZATION IS NOW
NorthWood is a church that plants churches. Before our work in Vietnam, we had planted one church in the United States. But when we began to use our vocational callings to engage the society of Vietnam that is when the multiplication began. When we saw the rest of the world, it changed us more than we changed it. People began to go and work using their jobs there, then came home and began to do it here as well. We started to engage our own society and see the Kingdom of God grow. More ministries and churches have started than we ever dreamed. Our leaders now consult with leaders in other countries including the Middle East.
As I look at the world, I’m excited about what I see for the future. I see people in their young 20’s with yearnings to change the world and I believe in them so much. I believe this generation of Americans is going to have a dramatic impact upon the church because of its “glocalized” living combined with its passionate faith. I am also excited in the 50 and above crowd. They are discovering not just how to give money, but how to use their jobs, and empower their kids (in their 20’s). It could be the ultimate hand off to the next generation to see the world transformed. May it be so. It will require a different kind of disciple, a different kind of church, a different kind of approach, and hopefully will lead to a different set of metrics – glocal transformation.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
In the last year, how has globalization impacted your life and relationships? Share a personal story of how the world has become flat.
Consider other organizations that are decentralized. How do they operate, multiply, and exist? How would this correlate to the idea of a decentralized church?
Principle #1 states that Christians will need to be intentional. What do you think about focusing your global attention on one area vs. spreading your work across needs in many places?
What is your personal calling? How do you think you can use that personal vocation in other societies to live out a Kingdom life globally?
Consider how the T-Life Model overlays onto your personal life? How are you focusing on the 3 core areas for transformation: interactive relationship with God (worship), transparent connections (community), and glocal impact (engagement using job)?
Discuss the tension between celebrating and connecting with your tribe while at the same time collaborating and joining with others throughout the world.
How is your church or community practicing the principles of glocalization in your engagement of the world?
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