So far, I've pointed out a couple of things that are unlikely to bring about lasting change to any culture or society. Merely passing laws and rules, or having a powerful person to enforce change, are ways that may bring about temporary change, but are unlikely to have lasting effects. In fact, in many ways, taking either of these approaches may actually serve to drive things in a different direction than was originally planned.
So what kind of things will work when we think about bringing lasting and positive change to a particular culture? I will admit that the approaches I suggest in this entry and in future entries are suggestions, and some may work better in one place than in another. I will also be speaking rather generally, making use of principles rather than diving into specifics, since in any given case, the same principles may apply, though the specific approaches taken may vary greatly. So as you read through these, take a look more at the principle involved, and then be creative in your thoughts as to how these might work in your particular venue.
One final thing. Don't be surprised when many of the things I suggest actually have a biblical backing to them. I truly do believe that many of these suggestions find their source in how God has chosen to work within our sinful humanity, and may describe how He is actively at work in changing the world through those that He has called and chosen to be His people.
With that being said, one of the first suggestions that I make seems almost too simple to have to point out, but I honestly believe is a step that often gets passed over simply because it does seem too simple and easy. When thinking about bringing change to any culture or society, one of the most helpful things that can be done is to identify the parts that need to be changed. Let's take an office culture. If the situation is one where the workers don't feel respected or heard, and where competition seems to be the norm, there could be a desire to lessen the competitiveness of the culture, while at the same time, trying to increase the respect that the "superiors" have toward the workers. It may be felt that a change needs to take place, but if you don't know what exactly it is that needs to be addressed, that could lead to a lot of work in wrong directions, and may even make the situation worse.
In one sense, we can take the same approach to this kind of situation that God has us take when it comes to our confession of our sin to Him, or to another person against whom we have sinned. Sure, we can say a general, "I'm sorry that I sinned," but that leaves a lot of things unsaid. Is it something recent or something old that you are talking about? Is it something that the other person knows is a problem, or is it something that is only bugging the one who is making the confession? The more specific you can be, the better chance there is to get to the heart of the sin and bring about reconciliation.
So, in the office example above, what is the cultural change that needs to take place? Is it that one or two workers are trying to get in good with the bosses, and so their competitiveness is spilling over to those around them? Is this a long-standing problem, or is it something of more recent origin? Is it a communication issue, or a personality issue? The more specifically you can identify the origin of the needed change, the better chance you have of addressing the real issue rather than just the symptoms.
I could say much more on this, but this post is already long enough. We'll pick up a little bit more in the next one.
So what kind of things will work when we think about bringing lasting and positive change to a particular culture? I will admit that the approaches I suggest in this entry and in future entries are suggestions, and some may work better in one place than in another. I will also be speaking rather generally, making use of principles rather than diving into specifics, since in any given case, the same principles may apply, though the specific approaches taken may vary greatly. So as you read through these, take a look more at the principle involved, and then be creative in your thoughts as to how these might work in your particular venue.
One final thing. Don't be surprised when many of the things I suggest actually have a biblical backing to them. I truly do believe that many of these suggestions find their source in how God has chosen to work within our sinful humanity, and may describe how He is actively at work in changing the world through those that He has called and chosen to be His people.
With that being said, one of the first suggestions that I make seems almost too simple to have to point out, but I honestly believe is a step that often gets passed over simply because it does seem too simple and easy. When thinking about bringing change to any culture or society, one of the most helpful things that can be done is to identify the parts that need to be changed. Let's take an office culture. If the situation is one where the workers don't feel respected or heard, and where competition seems to be the norm, there could be a desire to lessen the competitiveness of the culture, while at the same time, trying to increase the respect that the "superiors" have toward the workers. It may be felt that a change needs to take place, but if you don't know what exactly it is that needs to be addressed, that could lead to a lot of work in wrong directions, and may even make the situation worse.
In one sense, we can take the same approach to this kind of situation that God has us take when it comes to our confession of our sin to Him, or to another person against whom we have sinned. Sure, we can say a general, "I'm sorry that I sinned," but that leaves a lot of things unsaid. Is it something recent or something old that you are talking about? Is it something that the other person knows is a problem, or is it something that is only bugging the one who is making the confession? The more specific you can be, the better chance there is to get to the heart of the sin and bring about reconciliation.
So, in the office example above, what is the cultural change that needs to take place? Is it that one or two workers are trying to get in good with the bosses, and so their competitiveness is spilling over to those around them? Is this a long-standing problem, or is it something of more recent origin? Is it a communication issue, or a personality issue? The more specifically you can identify the origin of the needed change, the better chance you have of addressing the real issue rather than just the symptoms.
I could say much more on this, but this post is already long enough. We'll pick up a little bit more in the next one.
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