Cultural perceptions

A barrier to the role of cross-cultural friendships in mission?

Abstract

This paper, based on original qualitative and quantitative research undertaken as part of the author’s MA studies in African Christianity at Liverpool Hope University, explores the challenges faced by the Ghanaian Church of Pentecost-UK (CoP-UK) in sharing the love and good news of Jesus Christ with White British people, in the specific context of the UK’s postmodern culture. Arguing that, in this context, intentional investment by CoP-UK in cross-cultural friendships with White British people is likely to form the essential basis of trust for the discussion of issues of Christian faith, the paper discusses the barriers to engagement in such friendships posed by a generally negative perception of White British culture. The author’s approach to the original research and to subsequent follow up has been consciously relational and the potential contribution of this approach to future collaboration with CoP-UK, in addressing cross-cultural barriers, is also explored. The findings have potential relevance for other Black Majority Churches (BMCs), for other minority ethnic churches, and for everyone who is concerned to enable the God-given contributions of all ethnic groups to be ‘brought to the table’ in God’s wider evangelistic mission.