Cross-Cultural Collaboration
References from Scripture, the Book of Discipline, and L+L Articles
Scripture Passages
Jesus Crosses Cultures.
- In John 4:4-42. The Samaritan woman at the well is a well-known passage, but indeed highlights Jesus, crossing cultural lines to offer living water.
- Acts 1:8seems to echo the event of John 4:4-42 as Jesus says, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Jesus includes Samaria in His declaration.
Nations were united through a common message on the day of Pentecost.
- “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”” (Acts 2:4-11)
Jesus prays for us to be one, in loving mutuality – shalom.
- Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) and comes to restore people to loving mutuality in Him. Jesus prayed, “I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father,protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. (John 17:11)
Revelation describes a kingdom made up of all nations.
- After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, peopleand language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10)
Dignity and Worth of Persons. ¶3221 of the 2019 Book of Discipline
We are committed to the dignity and worth of all humans, including the unborn, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, color, socio-economic status, disability, or any other distinctions (Acts 10:34-35) and will respect them as persons made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27) and redeemed by Christ’s death and resurrection.
The Old Testament law commands such respect (Deuteronomy 5:11-21). Jesus summarized this law as love for God and neighbor (Matthew 22:36-40). He ministered to all without distinction and His death on the cross was for all (John 3:16; Romans 5:8).
We are therefore pledged to active concern whenever human beings are demeaned, abused, depersonalized, enslaved or subjected to demonic forces in the world, whether by individuals or institutions (Galatians 3:28; Mark 2:27; 1 Timothy 1:8-10). We are committed to give meaning and significance to every person by God’s help. Remembering our tendency to be prejudicial, as Christians we must grow in awareness of the rights and needs of others.
- See also the subsequent points of this paragraph from the Book of Discipline:
- A. With Regard to Poverty
- B. With Regard to Racism
- C. With Regard to Immigrants, Refugees and Those in Bondage
Sanctity of Life. ¶3222 of the 2019 Book of Discipline
God is sovereign: the world and all that is in it belongs to God. Though God’s eternal purposes may never be thwarted by human action we are still free and responsible to make God-consistent choices in matters of life and death. Christians live in the reality that human beings are created for an eternal purpose. As we attend to human suffering, we acknowledge that the ability of medical technology to end human suffering is finite. Therefore, we accept our responsibility to use this technology with wisdom and compassion; honoring God, who is ultimately supreme.
- See also the subsequent points of this paragraph from the Book of Discipline:
- A. Reproductive Technology
- B. Abortion
- C. Euthanasia
- D. Other Ethical Dilemmas
Free Methodist World Missions
- Free Methodist World Missions provides this statement demonstrating our commitment to overcome Colonial mindsets and ethnocentrism: Free Methodist World Missions makes disciples by mobilizing the global church and empowering international leaders to establish transformational churches.
Visit https://lightandlife.fm beginning May 1, 2021 for “Cross-Cultural Collaboration” by Bishop Linda Adams and discipleship materials related to this value of The Free Methodist Way