A three way split
Imagine that the church in Pergamum is divided into a three way split regarding their response to Jesus’ letter. The church leaders ask for a briefing note that will provide them with guidance for leading a culturally diverse church through a challenging period of necessary change.
Key features of the briefing note include:
- Clear identification of the three groups
- The Accommodators
- The Conflicted
- The Witnesses
- Cultural analysis showing unity and difference:
- Identifies 12 cultural dimensions where all groups share common values
- Explores three critical dimensions where significant differences exist:
- Uncertainty Avoidance
- In-Group Collectivism vs. Societal Collectivism
- Performance Orientation
- Communication insights for each group:
- Uses the “When you say/do X, it makes us think/feel Y, because Z” format
- Provides both positive and negative reactions for each group
- Tailored leadership approaches for each group that:
- Respect their cultural preferences
- Build on areas of agreement
- Challenge areas of compromise
- Guide them toward faithful response to Christ’s message
- Practical implementation recommendations including:
- Unified prayer gatherings
- Practical support systems for those facing persecution
- Staged discipleship paths
- Regular teaching series
- Unity conversations
- Risk assessment and mitigation strategies to address potential challenges
They are seeking a document that maintains an appropriate tone while providing culturally sensitive leadership approaches that respect different perspectives without compromising the core message of Christ’s letter to the church.