Over the years I’ve enjoyed the privilege of participating in numerous overseas missions trips. God has brought me to places literally all over the world. Every trip has been used by God to significantly shape my world-view. I have witnessed both the need for the Gospel in other nations, and I have also witnessed the transcendent nature of the Gospel to different cultures. It can be said that preparing for these trips is no small task. If you have been on a mission trip I’m sure you can relate. Training is a key part to any overseas trip. Interestingly, just about every team that I have been on discussed an idea called “The Ugly American.” Basically “The Ugly American” is a catchphrase that denotes the perceptions that many around the world have concerning Americans. Unfortunately, Americans have many negative stereotypes. Some of these stereotypes are legitimate and some are simply untrue. In fact, I have often heard from nationals how much they dislike Americans, yet how their dislike of Americans excluded the members from our team.
My primary desire in this article is not to draw attention to “The Ugly American” nor is it entirely about overseas missions. Rather, I would like for us to consider for a moment how many in our culture view Christians. As we do, we may discover some parallels to “The Ugly American” stereotype. I would like to propose that we have an ever-growing stereotype in our culture. I call it “The Ugly Christian.” Granted, some of these stereotypes are simply untrue and they are based on flawed information. Much of this is a result of the numerous negative messages about Christianity in the media. However, some of these stereotypes are self-inflicted. Even so, I understand that the message of the Gospel will always be difficult for the world to hear. In fact, Christ even warned us about being rejected by the world because of Him (John 15:18). And let us not forget that the message of the Gospel is often repulsive to those who don’t know Christ (2 Cor. 2:15-16).
Essentially this is a call for Christ-followers living in a post-Christian society to consider how we might be personally contributing to the “Ugly Christian” stereotype. Are there attitudes, decisions, passions and priorities in our lives that are contrary to the Gospel? May we find comfort if our faith repulses people in our society because the Gospel is permeating our lives. However, may the Holy Spirit challenge us if our attitudes, decisions, priorities and passions are contrary to the Gospel and thus negatively contributing to the “Ugly Christian” stereotype in our culture. And when we do fail, and we all will at some point, may God’s grace restore us to humbly walk with Him and demonstrate to the world around us God’s great and compelling compassion.
