You Might Be Colonial

I'm feeling inspired by Jeff Foxworthy.Jeff Foxworthy may have missed an important one in not creating a series on "You Might Be Colonial". Read the following true story and just allow your mind to freely float to the reaction most comfortable for you, and let's see.

While chatting with a friend from the South Pacific Islands recently, I got to hear several stories about the churches in the Kingdom of Tonga.

Seems that "giving to missions" is such a big deal, that the various churches almost compete with each other over how much they raise annually for foreign missions. Missions offerings in some churches top $30,000 in a single offering. Another church clocked in at over $40,000.

"It's because sending missionaries is seen as an honourable thing," my friend told me, "and to be seen as not supporting missions would bring shame on a church."

Now, in a digital HT (hat tip) to Jeff Foxworthy:

• If the thought crossed your mind, "My, how quaint that those non-Western churches still think missions is important in the 21st century"...
  
  You might be colonial.
  
  
• If you thought this was fine for people "over there", but that it certainly doesn't apply to the civilized West...
  
  You might be colonial.
  
  
• If you found yourself somewhat amused, bemused, or uncomfortable with the idea of South Sea Islander missionaries coming TO North America...
  
  You might be colonial.
  
  
• If you thought, "Oh, that's so admirable; it kinda reminds me of those poor Third World Christians who seem so happy despite their poverty"...
  
  You might be colonial.
  
  
• If your reaction was an incredulous, "Wow, are they ever behind the times; have they even heard of postmodernism?"...
  
  You might be colonial.
  
  
• If you were honestly and genuinely impressed by the generosity of the South Seas Islanders, but it never occurred to you to humble yourself and possibly learn from their example...
  
  You might be colonial.