Many have asked me since my return from Germany about my trip. They wanted to hear about the culture, what I liked the most, etc. I’d like to take this time to share it with you.
My trip was part of a project for my last class to finish my degree at Asbury Seminary. All Masters of Divinity students take a “cross cultural” Mentored Ministry course. The idea is to put yourself in an unfamiliar environment—it could be another culture and language, or even the difference between rural and urban. The student records notes and observations, and then gives a report at the end of the semester.
As much as I may have liked to spend all my time in Germany eating Bratwurst and exploring Munich’s history, I also had work to do! I spent half my time or more at the church, the Frei Evangelische Gemeinde, or “Free Evangelical Church.” Their location is on the edge of the city center, only a block or two from the large open area where Oktoberfest is held each year. The church doesn’t look like a church—it has no steeple, and could almost be mistaken for an office building. However, inside I met brothers and sisters in Christ who welcomed me with open arms and invited me into their lives and gave me insight into their culture.
Did you know that Christianity is nearly dead in Western Europe? Church attendance has been declining in Europe for decades. Few Germans—or French, or even English—walk with Christ daily. All those beautiful, historic cathedrals, which still dominate the Munich skyline? They are largely empty on a Sunday morning. Christianity? Most folks learn about it in history but really don’t know anything about it.
And yet, God is at work in Germany. The congregation has planted four other congregations in the greater Munich area. I met many people who had never known Jesus as a child and became believers as adults. I experienced Christian hospitality, and sang worship songs “auf Deutsch” with my German brothers and sisters.
The experience was certainly “cross cultural!” Just the 45 minute train ride into Munich was more public transportation than I had ever used in my entire life. Living in the middle of a crowded city was also new to me—as was buying groceries in small quantities each day, rather than making one big trip to Cosco or Sam’s Club. I got used to the bakeries quite quickly—Germany is as known for their Brot as they are their Bier! There is less “small talk” in Germany; folks get straight down to business. It’s a very private culture in many ways. Thankfully, the folks at the church were very friendly and spoke with me about a variety of topics and answered my questions with sincerity, and asked me about American life in return.
Many have asked me if my German got any better while I was over there. Mein Antwort: yes, and no! On one hand, I could finally practice my German with native speakers. On the other hand, native speakers speak quickly and with their natural accents…meaning I often had a hard time picking up what people were saying. Listening to a sermon or lecture was easier, because it’s a different format than casual conversation. My German friends got to improve their English as well, since we mainly communicated “auf Englisch” when I was there. They would occasionally need to be reminded of a word, or clarification about something. It was a symbiotic relationship for all of us.
The return jetlag is now gone, and it’s been over a week since my return. Yet the experience is very much a part of me. I am still taking time to reflect upon it, and to ask the Lord what he wants me to learn through this experience. I greatly appreciate everyone’s interest, and for Pastor Jacey keeping things running here while I was off munching on Sauerkraut und Schnitzel. Danke für alles!
