If I’d known I’d be dancing in A2, I’d have taken lessons.
One unfortunate aspect of Christian culture in many parts of the world is the strictures that are put on pastors and other leaders. It’s considered "spiritual" for leaders to be very serious, have no outside activities or interests, never take time for holiday or vacation, and basically work themselves to death. There are a number of reasons for this phenomenon—a combination of Western missionary mistakes combined with rigid cultural expectations—but what it has created is generations of Christian leaders who suffer from burnouts and breakdowns.
A3 is committed to developing "Vibrant Community" among its training groups. A vital aspect to developing this kind of community is giving these leaders permission to just have fun. At A3 trainings, there is much time spent in work, discussion, and prayer—but time is also set aside to sing, share, laugh, and have fun together. This includes what might sound like simple pleasure to us, but are big-time freedoms for these pastors, like playing football (soccer) or cricket in the afternoons. In one country, the A3 leadership took the pastors one afternoon on a skiing adventure—the first time these pastors had ever been on skis. It involved much falling, much crashing, and much, much laughter.
A3/India pastors enjoying their national pasttime together
I’m writing this in a restricted country where much of the music in the Church has been imported from the West and simply translated. When they sing these Western songs, it’s okay . . . but in the mornings, before devotions, the musicians have been breaking into indigenous songs, written in their culture’s sound and meter, with Christian lyrics—and an infectious beat. So what do a couple of pastors do but get up and begin dancing!
Understand that in their Christian culture, this is way radical. They began an impromptu dance along the lines of dances familiar in their culture . . . and then started pulling others into the circle. The next thing I knew, I was in the conga line, doing my best to keep up in my dorky Western fashion. Embarrassing, maybe, but it was a kick!
A3 is doing powerful work to infuse vision and practice in Asian leaders that will have major Kingdom impact in communities, regions, nations, and all of Asia. And some of the most powerful lessons are being learned as we stumble around together, dancing in praise of the Lord.
More info:
Noel Becchetti serves as A3's VP for Leader Development. See Noel's staff profile here...
