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Ministering in Patronage Cultures: Biblical Models and Missional Implications is unavailable, but you can change that!

Patronage governs many relationships in Majority World cultures. But regrettably, Western theologians and missionaries rarely notice this prominent cultural reality. Patronage—a reciprocal relationship between social unequals—is a central part of global cultures and the biblical story of God’s mission. Misunderstanding patronage creates problems not only for Westerners ministering in other...

The patron, like a parent, is totally responsible for the welfare of his clients.… Clients in fact can ask a patron for whatever they think he may grant, but this is not considered begging—no more than Christians think they are begging when they ask God for help. Clients for their part, must be totally loyal to their patron.… The patron gains power and prestige within the society, and the client gains security.1 Patronage is generally defined as a “reciprocal, asymmetrical relationship.”2 Each word
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