Here it is-the post about the strings...
So at METE (Missionary Equipping and Training Event), we learned a lot about missiology (the study of missions). One of the main lessons was on contextualization- translating the Gospel in words and actions in a way that can be understood by a particular culture.
Sadly, missionaries in the past have been known for trying to accomplish the 3 C's- commerce (economic gain), Christianization (making the society Christian), and civilization (making the "other" more like "us"). Forcing a change in style of dress in order to attend church, restricting "church songs" to only European hymns, and forbidding native instruments in church are just a few examples of "civilization." Luckily, many Christians are now realizing that sharing the God News doesn't mean that we have to share (or force) our culture. Part of the Good News is that is for everyone, everywhere. It transcends cultures and at the same time redeems them.
Contextualization, while a new strategy for missionaries, is not new to God. In fact, we see many examples of God explaining His love to us in ways we can understand. For example, Exodus 40 tells us that the Lord instructed Moses to set up the Tabernacle- the tent of meeting. This tent was not original to the Jews, in fact it was customary during that time to set up tents for your god or gods. The God of the Bible did not shun or forbid that cultural practice, instead He took it and gave it new meaning. Not only would His tent be a place where you could meet to worship your God, it would be a place where He would meet with you too and His presence would be visible. And He would guide you and tell you where to go as opposed to the other religious tents that could be set up anywhere in an attempt to coerce the gods. God allowed the Jews to continue a cultural practice they were used to, but to do so in a new way that fostered a relationship with Him!
So back to the strings... In Thailand, a string tying ritual has been practiced for centuries by Buddhists and animists. In an effort to ward off bad spirits/omens and/or to express well wishes and bring positive energy, Thai people will tie a cotton string around each other's wrists. It is done when babies are born, when you get married, when you travel, or any important event. An event isn't an event without strings! When early missionaries came to Thailand, new believers were forced to sever ties with anything that could be associated with worshiping spirits. Literally, they had to sever the ties. No more string tying ceremonies. The missionaries thought they had been successful at getting rid of the strings, but little did they know that the new followers were worshiping in church the way the missionaries liked and still engaging in string tying outside the church. Imagine someone telling you that in order to follow Jesus, you cannot celebrate your birthday by blowing out candles. A birthday wouldn't be a birthday without making a wish- or tying strings!
The Thailand Covenant Church has adapted the string tying ceremony for use in the church. It is no longer done to conjure the spirits, it is now "used to symbolize the tying together of brothers and sisters in Christ as well as to "tie" a spoken blessing to the recipient." An event can still be an event! A Thai person can still be Thai and a Christian. Christ is relevant!
So back to METE... To end our training experience, we participated in a string tying ceremony of our own. As we tied strings on each other, we prayed over each other and blessed one another. For days, I had a physical reminder of being united with my brothers and sisters and their sweet prayers over me. It was beautiful!
More about the hand art later...
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