The Ambassadorial Mindset (Contextualization)

Contextualize con.tex.tu.al.ize: place or study in context

• There is no conversation without contextualizing.
• “Your theology dictates the way you are going to proceed with your contextualization.”
(Hesselgrave)
• Our contextualizing must be governed by God’s holiness and humility.

To contextualize the communication of God’s holiness and humility is the burden of our ambassadorial work.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21

Ambassadorial Ministry
• The Christ-work on earth was one of reconciling. “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (Jn. 3:17)
• The Christ-work on earth was one of holiness. “not imputing their sins to them”
• The Christ-work on earth was one of humility. “He humbled Himself” (Ph. 2:8)

“artifact”
• Stuff
• Blue jeans
• iPhone
• Pulpit
• Drums
• Guitar
• Pew
• Painting
• Wedding ring
• Surplice
• Building
• Computer
• Coffee maker
• Tie
• culture
• symbols
• Stuff or ‘signs’
• Standing
• Kneeling
• Bowing
• Dress
• Wedding ring
• Nice car
• Surplice
• Blue jeans
• Tattoos
• Church building
• Design of auditorium/pulpit in front
• Bowing of head

Culture: “what we make of the world” (Crouch)
1. To contextualize the communication of God’s holiness and humility is the burden of our ambassadorial work.
2. We have to communicate the universal missionary message in the context of cultures!
3. “Communication is the missionary problem par excellence.” (Hesselgrave). Ambassadors communicate.

Ancient Ambassadors
• Considered inviolate and never imprisoned because they were representatives.