Today at King’s Church London we now attend a church
where no one group is in a majority. The Nigerians are not a majority, the
Caribbeans are not a majority, the white British are not the majority. We are
very diverse and I like it that way. But it is appropriate to look at our diversity
from time to time to see the challenges clearly, and also to celebrate our
differences. To celebrate what we are because there are many things we are not!
What we are is a cross-generational, cross-ethnic, racially mixed, cross-
cultural church.
Why do people celebrate? To mark moments. And different cultures do
this in a variety of ways. In white British culture we tend to mark the
birthdays at ages 18 and 21. Often there will be a family party. Now, I have
learned from Pastor Robert Kwami that in Ghana you would mark the ages of 50,
70 and 80 – due honour is given to those attaining these ages. There will be a
huge celebration involving the whole extended family – often taking a weekend –
with lots of people, lots of food, lots of parties! Best clothes will be worn –
and the pastor of the church will be invited and involved! I was invited to the
50th birthday party for a Nigerian recently – it was like going to a
wedding! There was a picture of the
family with the cake and then a second photo– one of the pastor with the cake!
The pastor was honoured and is given high status in that culture.... I’m just
saying...!
In other situations, a couple’s engagement is a moment
to celebrate. In white British culture you fall in love and the young man might ask the permission of the father
to marry his daughter. In an African culture this relationship is seen as the
coming together of two families so it is about more than just the couple. An engagement
party would involve exchanging gifts between families. These variations are cultural
preferences – there is no right or wrong way involved - but we need to
appreciate the differences and learn from each other’s cultures. It is an enriching
thing!
Posts
