Narrative and identity
Through the four social groups, the social element facilitates the development of culture. That culture creates a narrative that informs the actions and even destiny of the community’s members. Abstract ideas like love, justice, good, and bad are elements of this narrative. People learn to attribute these abstract ideas or qualities to people, things, situations, and actions in society. They are what members of a community use to make decisions and form judgements.
The narrative, like our country’s “American Dream”, provides a mental picture of what the society should be. Society’s architects and administrators build organizations, systems, and institutions that propagate that narrative. Like any piece of literature, the narrative has the primary elements of an exposition, introduction of conflict, rising action, falling action, and resolution. The societal affiliates seek to fulfill the narrative and the antagonists seek to disrupt it.
Again, as in any piece of literature this narrative or plot is carried out by different types of characters. There are main or central characters who are given the ability to be dynamic and complex. They drive the story as the protagonist, antagonist, or antihero. There are minor characters that are static and flat who can only serve as stock characters that fill in the scenery of the story or foil characters who only exist to highlight the strengths of main characters.
The architects of the social narrative usually assign roles to individuals based on superficial descriptors such as gender, race, education, or belief systems for the purpose of creating formal or informal caste systems. Those at the top of the caste are valued as dynamic characters whose actions can be celebrated or excused because of the complexity of their history, personality, and perspective. Those at the bottom of the caste are seen as two dimensional beings whose actions are strictly limited by the narrative. They are subjected to generalizations and stereotypes.
A narrative can unite and it can divide. It can liberate and it can subjugate. It is a powerful force in a society because it can be overt and it can be deceptive. Ultimately it strengthens or weakens a community. The narrative can be the source of injustice, disparity, discrimination, or violence. Collective and individual actions of people are driven by a narrative in which they are vested. That narrative may have been propagated through their families, peers, religions, and other affiliations for generations. An important skill of an agent of change is the ability to deconstruct a situation to discover and analyze these elements so one can determine how they contribute to the strength or weakness of a community.
The propagation of culture not only creates a narrative for its members. It also provides identity. Remember, the narrative creates the plot and defines the characters. One’s identity can be based on a social narrative that defines them as a minor two-dimensional character in their society’s story, who only serves as part of the scenery of a grand plot or the foil to a more important character. Identity gives people a sense of history, purpose, and legacy. Though provision of identity is powerful, it can be equally destructive. The identity some cultures provide their members may be rooted in the subjugation of others. It may be based on a historical narrative that is untrue. It may provide a false sense of superiority or inferiority. Identity drives purpose and purpose drives action. Action builds or destroys communities.
Based on what you have read above can you describe the narrative that drives you? Do you know the origin of this narrative? Do you know how this narrative is reinforced by different people, organizations, and systems that influence you?
The Social Element: Change the Narrative Change the World
The Components of Culture
Culture consists of the abstract and concrete products that are created from a community's integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, behavior, and material traits. Over time, this integrated pattern creates norms and values from beliefs and behaviors. It also produces symbols and language as material traits, which members off the community use to interact with each other. As we seek to interact with others, understanding how the material traits work and how beliefs and behaviors are regulated by norms and values is important.
Language
The Text
Matthew 12:34
O generation of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
The Application
Language is the tool through which ideas are communicated in a social group. Ideas are communicated through spoken words, written words, and gestures. These forms of communication make up the ways that a social group shares all its beliefs, values, ideas, and rules. The words spoken and the manner in which they are spoken reflect a worldview that defines a person's perception of self and the world around them. What does the language of those you encounter reveal about their worldview?
Symbols
The Text
Ezekiel 20:12
Moreover I gave them My Sabbaths to be a sign between them and Me, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them.
The Application
Symbols are artifacts used to represent abstract ideas. Some ideas cannot be explained in a succinct way, so symbols are used to give members of the culture a representation of the idea. What symbols do you see used in the community you seek to serve?
Values
The Text
Proverbs 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.
The Application
Values are a culture’s beliefs about what is right and what is wrong. Values are used to make judgements about the quality of actions, decisions, or ideas. They can be based on religion, philosophy, or tradition. It is important to note that values are the product of culture. Culture is not the product of values. What values do you believe guide the actions of the people you seek to serve?
Norms
The Text
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
The Application
Norms are the actions that are deemed most effective, efficient, and progressive by a culture to fulfill daily activities. How one dresses, eats, drives, greets others, and even speaks are part of that person’s norms. What norms do you believe are most accepted in the culture you seek to serve and how do they differ from your own?
Chapter 2
Introduction
in our last lesson we learned that the social element of the community facilitates interaction between the members of a community, which results in the development of social cohesion and culture. Our goal is to be a part of the interaction in the community we impact and even to influence that interaction. If we are able to accomplish this, then we can help create the culture that influences how people think, learn, and act. This approach was at the heart of the Gospel. Its focus wasn't only the preaching of the good news. It was also living the good news among the people being reached.
Social Groups
Each of the social groups below facilitates the “dynamic interplay among individuals, groups, and their environments. They facilitate the development of human relationships and the cohesion of the community. Your analysis of a community will often begin with the culture created, maintained, and propagated within these social groups. Your ability to understand what is analyzed will help you determine causation. Your ability to affect change will be determined by how your strategies impact the root causes of problems found in the components of culture.
Family Groups
The Text
I Timothy 5:8
But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
The Application
The family is the basic social unit of any society. This is the first social group to which members are introduced. This social unit is usually the first to introduce the elements of a community’s culture to members, usually children. At their most basic level, the language, symbols, values, and norms of the macro social system are shared with a child, preparing the child for assimilation, survival, and acceptance in that society. How can we interact with the community in a way that strengthens marriages and strengthens families.?
Peer Groups
The Text
Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
The Application
Peer groups are secondary social units defined by what members of the group have in common. These commonalities can be age, race, geographical location, or other descriptors. People develop subcultures within their peer groups. These subcultures may have amended languages, symbols, values, and norms that align with the culture of the society, but differ from the subculture of other peer groups within that society. How do we help create and foster peer groups at different ages that positively impact the community?
Secular Groups
The Text
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
The Application
Organizations develop in communities around common interests such as; sports, hobbies, political ideologies, and other interests. These organizations usually develop their own subculture. They wear uniforms (norm), develop beliefs to which members must adhere (values), assign badges or roles that represent accomplishments (symbols), and create unique ways of sharing ideas (language). These organizations add to the development of members of a community by helping them learn marketable skills and develop societal allegiance. Think of some of the secular organizations that influence the community. What narrative do they propagate? What do values and norms do they
instill that are unique?
Religious Groups
The Text
John 5:24
God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
The Application
Churches, synagogues, mosques, temples, or other faith-based centers of worship also serve as a conduit for culture and a mechanism for relationship building. It is through these types of organizations that values are propagated. Religious organizations also provide support in times of crisis and in times of celebration. Many times communities are brought together because of the call of unity made by religious organizations. How does your ministry influence the culture of the community? How do other churches in the community do the same?