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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...

Greco-Roman patronage, these funds created a social debt of obligation.6 Paul’s practice of requesting financial help “is a recognition that Paul lived in the Greco-Roman world with its encouragement of reciprocity for favors received, and at times he could work comfortably within that system without compromising his loyalty to the principles of the gospel.”7 Here are five instances of Paul receiving financial help. • Philemon. Paul requested housing assistance from Philemon: “One thing more [while
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