Int’l (MNN) – For years the dominant missions methodology has been to translate a written Bible into every language. However, for oral learners this approach neglects their principal form of understanding information. Now many are rethinking solely using that approach.
Ed Weaver with Spoken Worldwide says that many mission groups in the West are beginning to see the value of shifting to a more story- and oral-based approach to the Gospel.
A Change in the West
This approach not only includes missions groups but has spread to churches. Weaver explains, “Churches are starting to say, ‘Hey, maybe stories are good to include, whether it’s our testimony, whether it’s a passage from Scripture that we’re going to share with someone else, not just a verse, but an entire passage. And say this passage has changed the way I look at life. It’s changed the way that I think about who God is and what He means to me.”
This method of preaching the Word of God not only is crucial for cultures without a formal, written language, but is useful in Western ministries as well. Churches are coming to Spoken Worldwide for training to help reach a culture that regularly takes in messaging through story-based soundbites.
(Photo courtesy of StockSnap from Pixabay)
Weaver says, “There’s an embracing of saying, ‘Hey, our methods haven’t been working. What will work? What will change? The old ways of doing things just aren’t accepted anymore. How do we need to rethink the Gospel message – not to change the Gospel message, but how do we communicate?’ The message is faithful. It’s the same. It hasn’t changed in 2000 years. But the messengers are learning how to deliver that in a way that it’s more acceptable.”
Moving Outward
For groups like Spoken Worldwide that have been pushing for this methodology for years, this shift feels like a victory. Rather than fighting to explain the merits of storytelling to oral learners, Spoken Worldwide now focuses more on ministry. They also have been able to help equip others for the same work.
Weaver says, “Let’s celebrate the fact the West is beginning to embrace this relational communication of the Gospel. [Let’s also] use that as a foundation and kind of a springboard into saying, ‘It’s very clear that unreached people groups will also benefit from this.’ We are now beginning to see this from our side. Now, let’s go to the rest of the world. Let’s get behind ministries, whether it’s in prayer or even giving or in going that can deploy this on a on a large-scale basis. Let’s get behind them 100%.”
Sharing in the Gospel
In addition to praising God for reaching more oral learners, Weaver asks for prayers for Spoken Worldwide.
“Every place that we’re going is being disrupted. So I think what we need is prayer to undergird that work. [Ask God to] give us wisdom as an organization (and other organizations that are like us) to be sensitive to those realities on the ground. To be able to meet the humanitarian needs, as well as the Gospel needs. To make sure that they understand God is a God of all – not just the Gospel, but God of meeting physical needs too.”
To learn more or get involved with Spoken Worldwide click here.
Header photo courtesy of Silviu on the street from Pixabay.
