Did you ever try to use the LAMP method to learn another language? One of the key points of this approach is that the learner takes on an attitude like Jesus — humble, servant-hearted, eager-to-hear, … maybe even a bit vulnerable. Brene’ Brown has a great TedTalk on this idea:
https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability
A few of her words are coarse, but the meaning is true. Maybe if we ALL learn the art of vulnerability, the world would see a different stereotype of Christian worker. If you have a few minutes to catch her TedTalk video (or read the transcript at
https://www.ted.com/talks/brene_brown_on_vulnerability/transcript
would you take a moment to write your reaction/response to this idea? … that we sanction the feeling of vulnerability as a “standard approach” in missions??? What would you think of that idea??? Just click “Comment” after the app or web version of this item. And thanks in advance for your help!!!
There is actually a group that promotes this idea and practice. The Alliance for Vulnerable Mission has thoroughly explored this idea. Vulnerable mission is defined by using only local language and resources in missions. See their website at vulnerablemission.org They hold conferences, publish papers and write books. The latest conference was a All Nations Christian College in June.
I think vulnerability is an advisable approach in mission. This includes vulnerability in many ways. Such as: vulnerability to failure, so that the glory for success goes to God, and so that one can learn from one’s mistakes rather than having to give up after one has failed. Vulnerability in terms of sensitivity, that can enable one to hear and understand things said ‘in a hushed voice’. Vulnerability in terms of rendering a missionary into a relationship of inter-dependency with local people, rather than a superior independent relationship. And many more. For more, as per Deborah’s comment above, see the website of the Alliance for Vulnerable Mission.
Brown bashes religion as aimed at providing certainty and solving vulnerability. When mission donors want guaranteed bang for the buck or when mission agencies use lots of outside money to engineer a predictable result, they illustrate her point. We would rather expose the glaring weakness in her otherwise convincing story–she offers no basis for the worthiness that she says is the key to everything else, the worthiness that gives the courage to be vulnerable. All she has is the hope that more parents will raise their children with this unconditional love. What are the chances? If only she would look at the cross as the greatest worth-generator and courage-builder in history!
I struggled through learning 2 languages the LAMP way…and vulnerability was both a key to learning and a side benefit that I learned to embrace while struggling at (and failing in) language learning. Now involved in leadership development for team leaders of missions outreach teams, I believe vulnerability is one of the keys for leaders to embrace and encourage on their teams. I believe it is so because the gospel calls us to vulnerability… especially in light of the cross and our need of a savior, but also in the context of community and teamship and our need for one another. And if we model vulnerability as we share the gospel cross-culturally, guess what gets caught and multiplied by those we share the gospel with? More gospel centered vulnerability… yes, even across cultures! Great talk… I certainly am not enough… but Christ certainly is enough for me!
I considered LAMP briefly but then discovered GPA which uses some of the principles found in LAMP, including vulnerability, but seems to me to be more effective in allowing the ‘learner’ (‘growing participator’) to be ‘enculturated’ in his or her host environment.
https://growingparticipatorapproach.wordpress.com/the-growing-participator-approach-gpa-a-brief-state-of-the-art-and-some-practical-illustrations/