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Movement, Mission and the Importance of Post Colonial Thought

Published: at 05:22 PM

The phrase “mental model” is often used to refer to the particular frameworks that shape the way we individually process the world around us. There tends to be a number of different mental models that we each use and together they tend to form our worldview. As we consider “movement” and “mission,” it’s important to recognize that we process these concepts and there resulting actions through the lens of the various mental models we have (whether we have the self-awareness to identify them or not). 

One of these inherent mental models that I as an American was bombarded with in Kenya is the encompassing filter that colonialism is, whether people realize it or not. The legacy that colonialism left in the eastern African region was readily visible during my time there and we saw the implications and direct results of this legacy time and again:

I could share many more examples but they all follow a similar script and can be summed up in any combination of the following: 

This colonial legacy that was constantly present all around us was something, to put it lightly, that I wanted no part of. In fact I would go as far as to say it’s done more against than Kingdom of God rather than for it. Sure - God can and does work through anything; unfortunately though colonial systems, structures and mindsets are hollow shells of what the kingdom actually is. Let’s revisit some of the above stories:

So this has all left me thinking: what does it mean to decolonize the missions and ministry work we are involved in? It’s not an easy thing to ask let alone do because colonial systems and structures are so systemic to what is done naturally. For the most part we can’t see it or understand it’s harm because it’s an ingrained mental model more than an intentional outward expression. It’s also difficult because in a sense, asking the question means being ready to throw the playbook out and start afresh as we address our own cultural baggage and junk. 

This is one of the reasons I’ve shifted from viewing myself as a missionary to viewing myself as a catalyst. Catalysts are, from a scientific perspective, chemicals or elements that speed up and facilitate chemical reactions but they remain external to the reaction. As I’ve processed decolonizing what I do for the past decade I’ve realized I want to be like this to: I want to be this external element that recognizes his place is to serve, resource and facilitate the work God is doing rather than owning, enforcing, domineering or controlling it. It’s a calling to recognize my externality (which isn’t going to easily change) rather than feeding colonial systems that cause the “important work” to revolve solely around outsiders. 

It’s one thing to identify this and wrestle with it internally but it’s also important to embody it. I’ve found that there are a few key practices that are necessary for catalytic work to decolonize mission work. I will add- I’m writing from my own experience and journey rather than anything else. In brief these practices are to:

I plan to write specifically about each of these in the coming emails. They aren’t necessarily comfortable or easy for many people but I think, beyond being a start, they are vital to healthy engagement as an outsider in movement and mission work.




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