Shut Up and Listen

In my quest to reverse the effects of benevolent oppression I've learned something quite interesting. In his book 'Serving with Eyes Wide Open' Dr. David Livermore points out that when American pastors go to 'train' indigenous people in ministry they are greeted warmly and attentively. But after the Americans have gone home the participants will tell you that nothing that was 'taught' will work in their culture. When asked why they sat attentively and took notes the whole time they say it would be rude to do otherwise. The most telling part of the story is when asked what would've been more helpful they said, "If they had asked us to explain how we do ministry."

There is no nice way to say this, we Americans are arrogant. In our politics, our business practices and, unfortunately, in our charity we are very self-satisfied and convinced that we have figured it all out. I've seen this firsthand in teams I've taken to other countries. From men who demanded a seat on an airplane and had to be turned away by armed guards to my friend who insists that every country would be better off if they did things like we do in America, there is a swagger in us that most of us are blind to.

I've seen ministries where the leader literally carries pockets full of cash into needy places and goes around handing it out like candy! While this most certainly makes him feel good, it is rarely...I would say never...the right thing to do for the people he purports to be 'helping.'

Confessing that I am personally afflicted with being raised in America, I struggle with being quick to speak and slow to listen. But if we are to reverse the disastrous effects of our charity one simple thing we must do is shut up and listen. Hear the words of those indigenous pastors who longed for the Americans to ask what works in their culture and learn from them. If we are going to enter into meaningful partnerships with our brothers and sisters around the world we must honor their knowledge and understanding of the culture in which they live. We must ask them to teach us then, hard as it may be, shut up and listen.