In this issue we give readers the opportunity to learn about the paradigm shift that has been taking place in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada’s approach to global mission over the past 20 years.
When I was a young pastor, my wife and I hosted Bishop Roland J. Payne. He was a graduate of Waterloo Lutheran Seminary (WLS). In 1965 he was elected the first bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Liberia.
I had been in Sunday school when Payne and a significant number of foreign students were studying at WLS. As part of their training, they helped out at local con- gregations such as mine. My strongest memory is how much we kids enjoyed their warmth and enthusiasm.
Now he was on a tour for world mission. As we ate breakfast together, he reflected on the reaction to his presentation the previous night. People were upset that he only preached the gospel without telling them missionary stories or showing them a slide show of African scenes. If they had wanted to hear a sermon, their own pastors were good enough for that.
While I sympathized with him a bit, I really had very little appreciation for what it was like for him to have to struggle to demand to be treated as an equal partner in ministry. It’s taken me many years to begin to understand.
Although well-intentioned mission work with its churches, schools and hospitals did many laudable things, it was accompanied by a paternalistic approach born in a world of European and American empire building and colonization. Payne’s experience is an example of that.
As those churches matured and emerged from colonization, they have become partners with us in such global organizations as The Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches.
Together we have entered a new era and we are learning how to approach the way we interact with others with greater care. While it’s exciting, it’s also challenging because it sometimes feels bewildering and painfully uncomfortable.
Privilege and prejudice (p. 9) and Recalibrating our moral compass (p. 27) help us to realize that struggles with racism and paternalism are not limited to what is happening south of the border. Many of us are still coming to grips with our own sense of privilege and entitlement.
For me, Rev. Don Johnson helped put it all into focus in Q & A, p.15, when he wrote, “Walking wet in our baptism and nourished by the Eucharist, we are to walk in the steps of Christ.” I hope you’ll take time to savour what he has to say in Baptism, Eucharist and mission, along with many of the other fine insights people have to share in this issue.
Kenn Ward, Editor
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