This post ends my series listing nine critical realities on today’s landscape of world missions. Here I describe what I consider the #1 most important reality. 

Though I cannot deny the cleverness of this New Yorker magazine cover, my version would replace the U.S. president with some representative of the world-wide church. For to the world around us, I wonder if we Christian believers appear to be blind to dangerous viruses spreading across the church.

One place I learned about such viruses was from a Rwandan church leader who spoke of the 1994 genocide in his country. When he first came to the parish he discovered most of his parishioners had participated in killing. “How do we form Christians who say ‘no’ to killing,” he said to me. Then he named the virus: the blood of tribalism ran stronger than the waters of baptism.

In too many places today, the blood of nationalism, hierarchy, individual enrichment, and polarization runs stronger than the waters of baptism.

Nationalism claims that might is our salvation. During the Vietnam War, Dr. King warned of a U.S. in the grip of “power without compassion, might without morality, strength without sight.” Yet today, from China to India to regimes in Africa, this challenge no longer faces the U.S. alone. Yet I rarely see this reality discussed in congregations, and too often the church becomes a tool of political leaders.

Those used to having power claim that hierarchy brings stability. Yet across the world we see hierarchy without accountability. Racial and ethnic hierarchy which privileges one group over another (see my comments on “Marginalized Minorities”). Male hierarchy refusing to surrender power to women and young leaders. A Catholic hierarchy which has often covered up and failed to address clergy abuse. Failures of transparency in Protestant leadership, such as Willow Creek megachurch and scandals which contribute to Christianity’s rapid decline in South Korea.

From Myanmar to Brazil to the U.S. many politicians and activists are gaining strength by dividing the population, spreading a spirit of polarization and protest without mercy. Christianity, too, has been infected, “dividing Jesus” between right and left. Unfortunately, even where churches grow, they can grow without joy and without mercy.

Promoters of prosperity across the world claim that individual enrichment is our salvation. Yet in so many places today we see prosperity without joy along with alarming gaps between haves and have-nots.

“Go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19-20). It is still the charge from Jesus. But are we capable of forming Christians who can see and contain the viruses? The first mission of the church is not to change the world, but to repent. The critical question is: What kind of Christianity are we discipling the nations into?

Chris Rice is director of the Mennonite Central Committee United Nations Office in New York City. He is co-author of More Than Equals and Reconciling All Things and was founding co-director of the Duke Divinity School Center for Reconciliation.

Previous posts in this series:

Part 1: 9 Critical Realities Facing World Missions Today (#7, 8, 9)

Part 2: 9 Critical Realities Facing World Missions Today (#4, 5, 6)

Part 3: 9 Critical Realities Facing World Missions Today (#3)

Part 4: 9 Critical Realities Facing World Missions Today (#2)