While serving in Central & Eastern Europe, I received strategy training (along with other International Mission Board strategists). One really effective tool developed by a great strategic thinker (whom I will call Dr. Bob Brown* for security purposes) is a Profile for understanding the people group with whom you'll be working. This tool was adapted from cultural research that Dr. Orville Boyd Jenkins completed in Kenya. Over the next few posts, I'll share various dimensions from that tool. It is my hope that it might be used in your ongoing church planting and cross-cultural evangelism efforts wherever you are. For those doing cross-cultural ethnic work in the greater Atlanta area, pay careful attention to each dimension, no matter how recent the people group has emerged. Also, please keep in mind that to study an urban structure, each part within the city must be "mapped."
The first dimension this tool highlights is the "Geographic Dimension". Dr. Brown poses several questions for your consideration using a geographic map. Dr. Brown suggests we think in terms of major traffic channels, major intersections, specific neighborhoods, geographic areas where groups gather in homogenous groups, and specific landmarks. These are the type of questions he poses:
1. How would you describe the geographic features where your people group lives?
2. How does your people group travel? Do they use cars or public transportation? Why?
3. What is the distance your people group will travel to shop? to worship?
Dr. Brown suggests looking at those physical features of the geography and then contemplate the social importance your people group places on each item. What are the major water sources? Is there a history behind where people settled? What are the boundaries of land and water? Are there any mountains? Are there any areas that traffic has to pass to get from point A to point B?
And the big question: Do you take a different route or enjoy different landmarks than your people group?
The way you answer that question might make the difference between an unreached people group and a new church plant!
*A good example of a church in Texas using this tool to "map" out their people group can be found here.
The first dimension this tool highlights is the "Geographic Dimension". Dr. Brown poses several questions for your consideration using a geographic map. Dr. Brown suggests we think in terms of major traffic channels, major intersections, specific neighborhoods, geographic areas where groups gather in homogenous groups, and specific landmarks. These are the type of questions he poses:
1. How would you describe the geographic features where your people group lives?
2. How does your people group travel? Do they use cars or public transportation? Why?
3. What is the distance your people group will travel to shop? to worship?
Dr. Brown suggests looking at those physical features of the geography and then contemplate the social importance your people group places on each item. What are the major water sources? Is there a history behind where people settled? What are the boundaries of land and water? Are there any mountains? Are there any areas that traffic has to pass to get from point A to point B?
And the big question: Do you take a different route or enjoy different landmarks than your people group?
The way you answer that question might make the difference between an unreached people group and a new church plant!
*A good example of a church in Texas using this tool to "map" out their people group can be found here.
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