Truthfully, what do you think?

[righteousdude2]

A brother went to Africa, and this is a photo he shared. I think it gives the wrong impression, and is, well, tacky to say the least!

But, maybe I'm being hyper-critical! What do you think? I'd really love your opinion! I do not want to be judgemental. I realize this may be their culture showing up in how they treated him ... but would you post a photo like this?

​

 

[Winman]

I don't like this photo at all.

Yes, the two men helping are showing their eagerness to help in the work of the Lord, but this is not a proper use in my opinion.

The pastor should know better.

 

[NaasPreacher (C4K)]

I'd have to know the full context to make a firm statement but I agree it doesn't look good.

 

[Revmitchell]

Have either of you ever been over seas in a third world country preaching anywhere? I am puzzled at what could possibly be wrong in this picture?

 

[saturneptune]

Have either of you ever been over seas in a third world country preaching anywhere? I am puzzled at what could possibly be wrong in this picture?

LOL, if it shows anything wrong, it shows that folks in Africa know how to obey the Lord about gluttony.

 

[quantumfaith]

LOL, if it shows anything wrong, it shows that folks in Africa know how to obey the Lord about gluttony.

SN, I think you have hit a message that it can in fact communicate about an america that "wallows in its wealth" and is too often demonstrated in our over indulgence in eating, as so much of the world goes hungry. But it also demonstrates the message of the world, that some are so willing to be "servants" as a result of their faith, as indicated by the two african gentlemen.

 

[salzer mtn]

By looking at the expression's on the two African's faces, I wonder what their really thinking ?

 

[Revmitchell]

You folks are looking at this through western eyes. Your judgmentalism is unfounded. In the picture below I was in India where I preached a crusade in the southern region. We preached in 11 villages in 5 days. In every village the people would find a way to honor us as guests. In this picture they held a parade in our honor. This is just the custom in a lot of areas. Unless you are there you do not know what that picture means.

 

[Inspector Javert]

Have either of you ever been over seas in a third world country preaching anywhere? I am puzzled at what could possibly be wrong in this picture?

Agreed, depending on the specific culture he is in....it might be all but an insult to refuse to be treated like that. If he is being considered as an "elder" or "teacher" then they quite likely genuinely WANT to show that level of respect.

It is entirely possible that it would have been inappropriate (for instance) for him to stand while teaching/preaching, and that people might have been LESS PRONE to listen to him if he refused to accept being treated as a respected elder. We do not know the specifics of the particular culture he is speaking to in the least. I would not jump to conclusions.

It is indeed possible that it might have actually HURT his "testimony" to humbly stand on his own and refuse the services of the two gentlemen assisting him.

 

[Rippon]

A brother went to Africa, and this is a photo he shared. I think it gives the wrong impression, and is, well, tacky to say the least!

RD2,it sounds as if you know the brother personally. Why would you post it inviting criticism of it? Maybe you're being hyper-critical as you said.

 

[Rippon]

Agreed, depending on the specific culture he is in....it might be all but an insult to refuse to be treated like that. If he is being considered as an "elder" or "teacher" then they quite likely genuinely WANT to show that level of respect.

It is entirely possible that it would have been inappropriate (for instance) for him to stand while teaching/preaching, and that people might have been LESS PRONE to listen to him if he refused to accept being treated as a respected elder. We do not know the specifics of the particular culture he is speaking to in the least. I would not jump to conclusions.

It is indeed possible that it might have actually HURT his "testimony" to humbly stand on his own and refuse the services of the two gentlemen assisting him.

The above is one of the few posts where I can say that I absolutely agree with you IJ.

 

[Inspector Javert]

But it also demonstrates the message of the world, that some are so willing to be "servants" as a result of their faith, as indicated by the two african gentlemen.

I was blessed to spend a month in Tanzania.....One trait more than any other struck me as being prevalent in that culture and it was humility.
These were the most gentle and humble people I had ever met and (inexplicably) quite generous considering they had absolutely nothing to give to speak of.

Truth be told, when I remember the simplicity and genuine humility of that culture, I feel ashamed. I could EASILY picture the people I met there holding up an umbrella for and wanting to humbly serve any minister of the gospel in any way they could.

 

[Inspector Javert]

The above is one of the few posts where I can say that I absolutely agree with you IJ.

Then we'll take these rare gems and run with them. :1_grouphug:

 

[John of Japan]

You folks are looking at this through western eyes. Your judgmentalism is unfounded. In the picture below I was in India where I preached a crusade in the southern region. We preached in 11 villages in 5 days. In every village the people would find a way to honor us as guests. In this picture they held a parade in our honor. This is just the custom in a lot of areas. Unless you are there you do not know what that picture means.

I agree completely that folks are looking at this through western eyes.

I don't know if it's the custom in India where you were, but when I preached and taught in a country north of there, the custom was for the host family to stand while the guest ate. If someone had taken a picture of Dr. T. (Japanese missionary) and me sitting while those precious Christians stood, Americans might get entirely the wrong impression.

The problem here is not with the American preacher or the Africans, it's with the Americans looking at the picture with inexperienced eyes. There are places in Africa (as with where I was) that are extremely hot. My guess is that the Africans, knowing this, are kindly protecting their guest from heat stroke. That may even be the regular custom in that area with guests, hot or not.

 

[John of Japan]

Agreed, depending on the specific culture he is in....it might be all but an insult to refuse to be treated like that. If he is being considered as an "elder" or "teacher" then they quite likely genuinely WANT to show that level of respect.

It is entirely possible that it would have been inappropriate (for instance) for him to stand while teaching/preaching, and that people might have been LESS PRONE to listen to him if he refused to accept being treated as a respected elder. We do not know the specifics of the particular culture he is speaking to in the least. I would not jump to conclusions.

It is indeed possible that it might have actually HURT his "testimony" to humbly stand on his own and refuse the services of the two gentlemen assisting him.

Excellent insights! :thumbs:

 

[salzer mtn]

By looking at the expression's on the two African's faces, I wonder what their really thinking ?

I wonder how big a boiling pot it would take to fit the preacher in ? :smilewinkgrin:

 

[North Carolina Tentmaker]

Without context can we understand anything?

 

[Van]

Some used to judge people by the color of their skin, now we are into waist size. Does the sin of gluttony disqualify a person from evangelism? If Rosa Parks had been given that seat, would we fault allowing her to sit with her sore feet? Should we only send tall, slim, dark-skinned young or middle-aged men to Africa.

 

[JohnDeereFan]

A brother went to Africa, and this is a photo he shared. I think it gives the wrong impression, and is, well, tacky to say the least!

But, maybe I'm being hyper-critical! What do you think? I'd really love your opinion! I do not want to be judgemental. I realize this may be their culture showing up in how they treated him ... but would you post a photo like this?

​

The picture reminds me of the way the moderators treat some posters here.

The picture doesn't look good, but still pictures don't convey context or nuance, so it wouldn't be fair of me to judge just based on that.

 

[pinoybaptist]

he'll lose that belly soon enough if he stays and ministers in third world (I hate that phrase but there it is) countries where they walk, of necessity.
somebody asked if the sin of gluttony (like we know this man is a glutton. he could very well be predisposed to obesity, genetically) disqualifies someone from evangelizing ?
well, does the sin of adultery disqualify one from preaching ?
yet, I've known some preachers ask someone to the pulpit while in adulterous relationships just because that someone is an excellent giver. and, of course, his topic is often on generous giving.
a glutton would most likely often preach on 'in everything give thanks'.