Josh, a pastor friend—and fellow Keller fan—was delighted that my PhD research on the Manhattan church planter, pastor, and theologian has been well received. He asked me, “So, what next? What do you suggest? Must I study Center Church? Should I read all his books? Watch his podcasts?” Without thinking I blurted out, “No. Do what he says!” I was surprised by my instinctive response, as was my friend. And having reflected on that retort, I stand by it. Completely. Keller is gold; read and listen to him. But to stop there would be to miss the point.
Subscribing to all that Keller taught should have radical implications for our ministry.
This Sunday, 19 May, marks a year since Keller was called to be with the Lord. But I still hear him. I listen to contemporary preaching and I hear “Kellerisms.” I hear his: grace saturated theology; expose of the older brother’s lostness; biblical theology (Christ is the true and better); insistence that the gospel cannot be placed on any spectrum, how completely different it is; messing with our idols; wise apologetical turns; warm, winsome appeal to the heart. It’s so good to hear these echoes of Keller.
But Keller didn’t only believe the gospel rightly or teach it clearly, he demonstrated it in his life and ministry. As a missiologist he was both an invaluable theorist and a committed practitioner. By this I mean, Keller acted on his convictions in ministry and mission. And so should we. It isn’t enough to agree with Keller. For as he insisted, the pastor must think, pray, learn, listen, strategise, preach, love, and live like a cross-cultural missionary—wherever he finds himself. So subscribing to all that Keller taught should have radical implications for our ministry. I’ll list three.
1. Become a Cultural Exegete
The settled pastor in an established pastorate—whether in London, Harare, or Cape Town—shouldn’t assume that he knows the culture, worldviews, and religious commitments of those he’s called to serve. In fact, being entrenched in and a part of it, the pastor probably isn’t even aware of the key contours of his “own” context. If you want to know how the water is, don’t ask a fish! Don’t assume you know.
The pastor needs to become a cultural exegete, as well as a biblical exegete.
So a pastor needs to become a cultural exegete, as well as a biblical exegete. He should endeavour to know his place and its people exceptionally well. He should be conversant with the history, stories, idioms, songs, struggles, joys, politics, idols, hopes, religious commitments, fears, family dynamics, felt physical needs, material needs, daily challenges, and critical issues the people around him face. Most Keller fans have no idea just how much work he put into this.
Today the idea of cultural exegesis may sound hip and trendy. Perhaps it is in Manhattan or Paris or Ibiza; only, I guarantee you that cultural exegesis isn’t cool or trendy in a Mexican slum or in a drug infested enclave on the Cape Flats.
2. Bring the Gospel to Bear on Culture
While doing this cultural exegesis, the pastor is always asking himself: how does the gospel subvert and fulfil the aspirations of these people? How does the gospel trump their idols? How can I deliberately and carefully and faithfully contextualise the unchanging good news of Jesus Christ into this time and place?
3. Beware a Ghetto Mentality
Sadly, the almost inevitable and often imperceptible trend is that pastors—over the passing of time—become less and less connected with non-believers and function within the safety of the hermetically sealed church bubble. This needs to be actively, deliberately resisted. It happens so easily, sometimes quickly. It would be unthinkable that pastors on the “mission field” would spend all their time and energy only engaging with believers.
Ministry is incarnational. It’s not religious tourism.
Ministry is incarnational. It’s not religious tourism, hit and run, or about being a benevolent sociologist. At its core, Christian ministry is relational, it’s about loving people. Really loving people. It’s about putting down roots. It’s about serving.
Imitate Keller’s Mission-Shaped Ministry
Reflect on these three points. For the cross-cultural missionary they are uncontroversial no-brainers. They’re the ABC of missions. Yet in the “mission field” of the West, is this how we think? So I commended Keller’s books, articles, and podcasts to my friend Josh; and to you. But my caution is that we don’t merely parrot Keller’s phraseology. We must try to replicate the specifics of Redeemer’s ministry—whether we’re in Johannesburg, Seoul or Sao Paulo. Thus, do what Keller says.
