Missiological reflections on the “Nairobi Statement on worship and culture”

Abstract

The Lutheran World Federation invested considerable time and resources in the 1990s exploring the relationship between Christian worship and culture. As a result of their research, they have put forth the assertion in "The Nairobi Statement" that worship relates dynamically to culture in at least four ways: transcultural, contextual, counter-cultural and cross-cultural. Numerous position papers and several important publications have been generated by theologians, anthropologists, and liturgists exploring these matters, but missiologists have been largely missing from the conversation. This article attempts to engage in a much needed discussion with four missiologists who analyze the four areas identified and apply a missiological lens to the conversation. More papers and publications merit additional reflections by other missiologists on this important issue in the years ahead.