Where Do We Go From Here

80 Arriving there a few days before his first worship service, the eager graduate drove to the church building. …An old gnarly tree off to the side of the structure virtually prevented use of the only side door. Clearly, here was a moment to prove himself, the pastor thought. Driving to the church parsonage, he unpacked some things until he found his chain saw. He returned to the church building and immediately cut down the tree, cleaned up the limbs and twigs, and painted the door. In less than a week, this brand new pastor was heading off to a different [parish]. Why? Because … John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement [had planted that tree!] 6 Clearly, being cognisant of host and guest dynamics is central to mission, and the short vignette in Acts 28:1-10 gives us a stellar example of this, narrated through the eyes of the guests. The welcome (vv 1-2) is notable for three of the words used: The natives showed us unusual kindness. Since it had begun to rain and was cold, they kindled a fire and welcomed all of us round it. The word “natives” is barbaroi in Greek and is translated in various ways: islanders (NIV), native people (ESV), barbarous people (KJV), barbarians (ASV). Isn’t it often the case that even knowing how to name those we encounter cross-culturally is challenging? The phrase “unusual kindness” in Greek is more like “not a regular kindness”, where kindness is philanthropian , “love of persons”. The NRSV translation is misleading, because the hosts’ 6. Page 93.