Owing a Debt

From China:

Completing a series of meetings with religous officals in various cities inside Mainland China.
We are enjoying the benefits of 10 years of guanxi (relationships/connections). Much easier to sit down and talk with a leader here when their close friends and classmates have already vicariously introduced us to them. In fact this may be the absolute necessity for effective service in China.

In one city located in the central part of the country a top leader listened patienty as we shared what we would like to do someday. He then responded "why have you waited 10 years? You owe us a debt."

It was a cultural way of saying "what are we pussy footing around for? Time is wasting. Let's get busy." While not everyone is quite that quick and ready to begin partnerships it is becoming rather typical of the attitude we encounter.

Grace for Asia never and I mean NEVER had anyone say something like that 10 years ago, or 8 years ago, or even 6 years ago. Instead they would make speeches explaining the "realities" in China and then listen patiently to whatever we shared. Usually these hours were followed by a lengthy dinner. When we left we had no commitment from them except "hope you will come back and see our city again."

What changed? Most bascially 10 years. True China is changing (do not confuse that with "has changed." There is a greater openess and receptivity to foreign partnerships. More importantly 10 years of trust and relationship has occured.

I don't pretend to understand all the cultures of the world. But I suspect that people are pretty much the same. Trust takes time. We must learn before we serve. We must prove ourselves before we partner and certainly before we can lead.

So if you are thinking about a glocal partnership somewhere this may be one of the crucial secrets to learn. Start now. You'll make some mistakes. Become a student of the culture. Then settle down and keep going back. Build relationships. Be patient but keep moving forward.

In "Going Glocal" I talk about signature relationships. This means a partnership which has your finger prints all over it. It is unique to you and your ministry. No two are identical. One thing this will require is time. If groups are hopping all over the world they may have a great travel experience but it is unlikelly they will deepen relationships to the place where real significant ministry and partnerships can be formed.

Pehaps this trip I learned one more indication that guanxi has been acheived. You sit down with a total stranger overseeing 300,000 Christians and he looks at you saying "what took you so long to get here--you owe me a debt."

Talk later from California

It is a small world

Today I sit at the Sheraton in Urumqi. Never heard of it? Don't feel bad. It is the last major airport city in the NW part of China. It is pronounced WOO LU MU CHI. That is your trivia for today.

Flew in today to disucss partnering possibilities. The area was originally settled by the minority people, Wei Wu Er. Historically they have been predominantly Islamic. This makes the area especially sensitive to any foreign presence.

While visiting with a couple of leaders for the first time we found out how much we have in common. They are about the same age as myself. One is a seminary graduate. They have two children the same age as my older two.

The church they lead had 4000 in worship last Sunday. They are proud their son is actively involved in ministry to young people.

We discovered that we have at least two signfiicant mutual friendships. The man who challenged me to work openly in China was the same gentleman who lobbied hard for the pastors ordination years ago when attaining such was difficult to do in an Islamic area.
We both concluded that whatever we do in the future will be in memory of this great former leader, Dr. Han Winzao.

And most significantly at the end of dinner we all made our way enthusiastically to the ice cream buffet table.

Glocal reality. While a traveler from the West might feel they have reached the end of the world as they fly in to Urumqui there is no end of our world today. Not only is the globe we live upon round the cultural interaction and cross-pollinization of ideas os circular. We learned from one another today.

Meanwhile I look forward to viewing at least one more NBA game before heading home.

Before departing I had a chance to share our plans for the third annual Walk Through Bethelehem extravaganza (see www.grace-church.com) as we said our goodbyes in the lobby of the hotel here in China--- by the Santa's gift shop, 30 foot Christmas tree, and Silent Night playing over the speaker system. I felt at home.

Clipped a great article in the China Daily. "Think global, but read local for culture." Sounds glocal to me.

See you soon in California. Getting ready to speak there Sunday.



By the way to those of our USA friends who arrived home yesterday please take care of that