I spent some time with Darryl Gardiner recently while he was visiting Queenland with Forge. Darryl was the featured conversation artist at the Forge Intensive held at North Lakes, focusing on entrepreneurial leadership. It was good to catch up with Darryl years on after our first connections through Te Hou Ora (now Te Ora Hou) and Youth For Christ.
Darryl helped us think about the models of mission we were using, providing a critique of the foray approach in which Christians make trips out of the compound and invite people back in to the fold. The problem with this approach, Darryl explained, is the level of control involved in the compound. Even though the foray approach has worked over the centuries, that doesn’t mean that God has endorsed it.
Darryl gave us the alternative, the immersion/emersion approach, using Hudson Taylor as a model. Taylor grew his hair long and learnt the local language of China, using methods not approved by head office. We looked at a few examples of indigenous Christian movements in New Zealand that had taken the route of immersion. Of course this approach has its problems as well: the risk of syncretism and isolationism in which people believe their own publicity.
Darryl reflected on his experience of developing a youth ministry network, Te Hou Ora, aimed at discipling young people from Maori and Pacific Island backgrounds. With hindsight he could see that much of what was called discipleship was in fact socialisation into the mainstream Christian culture of the time.
On the Friday evening Darryl spoke at the Lions Den Cafe, providing us with an alternative to the over-hyped inspirational event in which young adults are urged to achieve something ‘big’ for God. Darryl reflected on the significant incarnational movements in Australia and New Zealand – usually unseen and small. Likewise the ministry of Jesus.
he can tell a good story!
and a bloody good bloke