I think and write about culture regularly. I am fascinated by the way our families, cities, countries, and the age in which we live shape our lives, values, priorities, and the things that we celebrate and demonize. As worship leaders we carry our own cultural background into every environment where we serve - this is true even if you were born, raised, and lead in your hometown. We bring our own unique culture into the collective culture of a team, and a church, as we attempt to shepherd all of these cultures - including our own - to more faithfully embody the person and work of Christ.
My family lived in England for four-plus years, and I have had the chance to lead worship internationally and cross-culturally a number of times. While these opportunities have been gifts of kindness toward me, they have also shaped how I lead worship week in and week out at my home church in North Carolina. Maybe some of these thoughts will help you in your leading as well:
I bring my own culture. Every person has been uniquely wired by God, uniquely shaped by their family of origin, their country of origin, and the people and times in which they come up. If I want to effectively serve in any space, I must first realize that I have a specific way of seeing and being in the world. And that way is different from other people.
It’s just different. One culture or way of seeing the world is not right and the other wrong - they are just different. And in all things, there are pieces of our culture that need to be received, redeemed, or rejected. Truthfully, I believe this is one of the hardest parts of leading cross-culturally. You do not realize how many things you have turned into ‘gospel issues’ that are mere preferences, or cultural norms. Often I am first aware of a growing frustration - ugh, why are they doing that? Why did they say that? Clearly, they don’t care about… One of the things I am learning is that frustration can be an indicator light that I could be bumping up against cultural differences. And if I can invite the Holy Spirit to help me see specifics rather than a cloud of annoyance and frustration, in the Spirit’s power I am better equipped to laugh about, give grace toward, speak to, or just forget about my own frustration with differences.
Whose image? A fellow American living in England said to me: “Our goal in being here is not to make these British people more American, it’s to help them be more like Christ.” If we do not have an awareness of our own culture, and the differences in other people, we will naturally make people in our own image. We will hold up, value, and celebrate the things that are most like the best versions of ourselves - rather than constantly, and continually asking God to conform each of us to the image of Christ. A culture being conformed to the image of Christ will uniquely image the beauty, and diversity of God to the world.
Don’t swing the pendulum. Lead lovingly as the Spirit shapes you, and the culture. Unless there are things that need to be outright rejected, you can let go of the desire to correct the culture, as you prayerfully and scripturally lead toward a better way. Less directing, and more invitation.
A culture that values efficiency may need to be invited to linger.
A culture that values theology may need to be invited toward doxology.
A culture that values head knowledge may need to be invited to engage their hearts.
A culture that values individuality may need to be invited to think corporately.
A culture that values a small, family feel, may need to be invited to consider the outsider.
A culture that values beauty may need to be invited toward intentionality.
A culture that values excellence may need to be invited toward humility.
And the reverse is also true. All these things and more. May we be leaders who see, know, receive, redeem, and reject the culture which has shaped us and the ones we lead.