What is it?
Every people group has significant events–e.g. childbirth, puberty rites, weddings, death, planting/harvesting–culturally defined by carefully prescribed practices. Those practices reflect deeply held assumptions, values and one’s understanding of the world. They hold underlying meaning and thereby accomplish a given purpose and carry consequences if not followed. Powerful relational structures support them, ensuring that they are followed. But tensions arise in believers when those prescribed practices conflict with Scripture. This workshop introduces a process to equip bodies of believers to examine their practices in the light of Scripture and then to formulate a response that both aligns with Scripture and yet remains culturally meaningful. They will search the Scriptures for principles and/or specific instructions that apply to the underlying reasons for their traditional practices and the consequences of neglecting them. They will suggest cultural adjustments and then formulate an Action Plan to engage the body of believers in their home areas with steps toward transformation of their important events.
Who should come?
Believers who have some influence in the community e.g. pastors, elders, language program leaders, translators, SS and religious instruction teachers, Bible study leaders, etc. These should be from as many different religious affiliations as possible.
Pre-workshop assignment: interview different people in your village to learn what they do when there is death; why each practice must be done and what happens if they don’t do it. (Get further information from Ana Opungu, if needed).
If possible, at least two or three speakers of the language should come, up to 10 per language. This process accomplishes the most when different groups of believers are represented.
Next session:
To be announced