Cross Cultural Ministry and Christopher Wren

In 1675 a fire devastated London England. Nine years later Sir Christopher Wren laid a foundation stone in what would be his greatest architectural achievement--the building of St. Paul's Cathedral. It took him thirty-five long years to complete his task, and when it was done he waited breathlessly for the reaction of her majesty, Queen Anne. 

After being carefully shown through the structure, she summed up her feelings for the architecture in three words: "It is awful; it is amusing; it is artificial."

Imagine how you would feel if words like these were used to describe the work of your life! But if you were to read the biography of Sir Christopher Wren you would learn that upon hearing these words from his Queen he heaved a sigh of relief and bowed gratefully before his sovereign.  

How could this be? In 1710 the word awful meant "awe-inspiring," the word amusing meant "amazing," and the word artificial meant "artistic."

What to our ears might sound like a devastating criticism were in that time words of measured praise. Adapted from Illustrations from Biblical Preaching, by Rev. Brett Blair 

Can you minister to people who use different terms than you? or, perhaps even more of a challenge, can you minister to others whose terms are similar or the same but who mean different things than you? 

Our book, Hope and Change for Humpty Dumpty can assist you to listen and respond to those from different age groups and cultures.