Roles: Relating to an Alien Social Structure

Abstract

Jake Loewen, well known to Missiology readers who formerly subscribed to Practical Anthropology, writes once again about missionary roles,¹ this time focusing on role relationships inside and outside the receptor culture. The attainment of “identification” (a recurrent missiological theme of the ‘50's) leading to an insider's role, may yield some short term advantages but is often fraught with significant long term hazards. Outsider roles are generally safer and probably more honest. “Full acceptance of the alien is not dependent on being inside, but on transparent honesty and reciprocity.”