{{2012_07_20_t1.jpg}}
{{2012_07_20_t2.jpg}}
{{2012_07_20_t3.jpg}}
[[http://www.jesusnetwork.eu/de/doku.php/jn_de_2012_07_20|Deutsche Version]] [[Start|| Wiki Start]]
[[topics_collection_iv|| Topics Collection iv ]]
======Continents and Cultures ...======
Friday July 20, 2012. In my working group we have people from
different countries and cultures. Some have grown up in the UK, others
in Spain, others in India. We have many Germans there, but some
of them lived in France or in the US for a while ...
{{2012_07_20.jpg }}
**Different Ways to Do Things ...**
There are different nations and countries, and the people have different
ways to do things. Today, we have a lot of discussions about cultures and
actions in the EU, since we work closely together and need to help each
other. But we also need to learn that we do things differently. Even if
we say, we do the same, that does not mean that it is the same indeed.
Living in the UK, for example, I have learned that the way to use rules
is quite different in the UK and in Germany. In the UK, rules are there,
many rules as well. But they are interpreted as it is needed - on a flexible
basis. In Germany, there are many rules, and they are usually taken quite
serious. You will find many people who find it extremely difficult
{{ 2012_07_20_2.jpg}}
**not**
to literally follow the rule. But the British also follow the rule - just in
a different way.
When you meet for dinner in Germany, that is probably something taking
place between 6pm and 8pm, finishing then. In the UK it might start at 7,
but be over at 9pm, throw people out. In Spain or Greece it might
start at 10pm. In France it might start at 7pm, but last until 11pm, with
many small courses. And they all say "invitation to dinner". We once had
Greek visitors searching desperately for an open restaurant in Göttingen
at 11pm in the night, and finally found some pizza restaurant which would
still serve food.
Human Race Diverse and Peaceful ...
There is a fantastic vision for the human race in the last book of the bible,
the revelation of John. The vision is about people from all nations and
cultures, coming peaceful together before the throne of God. They are all
united in faith. They are all united in peace. They are united in supporting
each other and worshipping the almighty Lord.
The biblical vision can help us, to live together today. Here, we are usually
quite separated, even in a global world. We have our different ways to do things,
and there are many conflicts which arise from it. But there are many open
possibilities. If the future is a peaceful community, we can start to realize
this peaceful community already today. In the community of faith, it is
realized already.
During our time in the UK we attended some church which had around 500 members,
coming from all parts of the world. There were black people and white people,
Chinese and Europeans and Americans. There were British and Germans, people
from Africa and from the far East. It is a fantastic experience, if you see all
these different people worshipping together and living together in peace.
(Roland Potthast)
[[http://www.jesusnetwork.eu/en/doku.php/topics_collection_iv|... more texts]]