Becoming A Southern Australian

Less than ten minutes after coming through customs at the Melbourne International Airport I was given the words of advice that have stuck with me for the last eleven months. Those words have helped me gain the respect of Australian believers, ministries with youth in multiple churches, and a solid foundation for future ministry. Without that phrase there is a good chance I would not have any of those things right now. What were the words that shaped my ministry so powerfully, “things are different here John”.

Melbourne Australia in a lot of ways looks like large cities in the United States. But the similarities stop there. The Australian culture is drastically different from the American one I grew up with. And how I respond to the differences in Australia will decide how successful my ministry will be.

It is very easy for me as an American to do things the way that I am used to doing them. But many times the American way clashes with the Australian way. Sadly many of the Australian people are used to seeing Americans continue doing things that clash with their culture. I don’t believe that they are offending people around them on purpose. But refusing to adapt to the Australian way of doing things is offensive nonetheless.

Early on I made a commitment to adapt to the Australian culture as much as possible. I knew that I would never become a full fledged Aussie in their eyes but always a yank (all Americans are yanks in Australia). But trying to do things their way would allow me to gain their respect. I have made many changes in my lifestyle since coming here. But one of the most drastic has to do with my bedroom closet.

Actually it is what I leave in my closet that is drastic. I received two very high quality men’s suits for Christmas last year. I carefully packed them in barrels before having them shipped from the U.S. to Australia, planning to wear them when I preached at churches. While at home in North Carolina I always wore a suit and tie when I preached at a church.

Well in Australia nobody wears a suit or tie to church. Actually hardly any of them wear dress shirts either. Instead they wear blue jeans and shorts along with t-shirts or polo shirts. Suddenly I had a choice to make. I could continue wearing my suit and tie to church every Sunday. Or I could adapt to the Australian way of doing things. In the end I decided to make a compromise.

On Sundays I wear non dress pants with a dress shirt, and tie. Neither part of the suits that I received last Christmas are worn, although I do wear the dress pants from time to time. While speaking at another church in the area I actually spoke in khaki pants with a polo shirt. And to my amazement, God did not strike me dead with lightning!

Today I have a lot solid relationships with believers at the church I attend regularly. Relationships I probably wouldn’t have if I wore a suit to church. For by leaving my suit hanging in my closet I sent two very powerful messages. “I don’t think that I am better than everyone, and want to serve in a way that is meaningful to you.”