Mission and the Cultural Other: A Closer Look

by Randy Woodley

Mission and the Cultural Other is a decolonial critique of a too often failed missionary enterprise. Rev. Dr. Randy Woodley, a former missionary and missiologist, writes both as an insider and an outsider. As an Indigenous person, a missionary among Native Americans, and a decolonial theologian with over thirty years of experience in various missionary movements, he has seen the best and worst that American mission has to offer. Before change can be made in a guarded system such as Christian mission, the critique must be pervasive and cut to the core of the problem. To truly understand the weakness of modern mission, we need to hear from those who have been its casualties.

Genres: Indigenous, Theology

162 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2022

About the author

Rev. Randy Woodley (PhD, Asbury Theological Seminary) is Distinguished Professor of Faith and Culture and Director of Intercultural and Indigenous Studies at Portland Seminary. Woodley is a Keetoowah Cherokee (legal descendent) teacher, poet, activist, former pastor, missiologist and historian. Woodley received his baccalaureate degree from Rockmont College in Denver. He was ordained to the ministry through the American Baptist Churches in the USA in Oklahoma after graduating with a Masters of Divinity degree from Eastern Seminary (now Palmer Seminary) in Philadelphia. Randy's PhD is in intercultural studies from Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.

Professor Woodley is active in the ongoing discussions concerning new church movements, racial and ethnic diversity, peace, social justice, interreligious dialogue and mission. He regularly blogs in these areas and publishes his own blog, Ethnic Space and Faith. He is also a regular contributor to God's Politics Blog: Jim Wallis and Friends, Emergent Village Voice and The Huffington Post’s religion page.

He also hosts the "Peacing it all together" podcast about journey and place with Bo Sanders.

Rev. Woodley was pastor of the Eagle Valley Church in Carson City, Nevada, which for many years served as a unique role model as an authentic Native American Christian church. He and his wife Edith, cofounders of Eagle's Wings Ministry, are considered early innovators in what has been dubbed the “Native American Contextual Movement.” The Woodleys have spent over 25 years of culturally contextual service in Native North American communities.

Reviews

[Helena regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading Mission and the Cultural Other by Randy Woodley was both eye opening and deeply moving. From the very first chapter, you can tell this book wasn’t written from a place of theory, but from lived experience, honesty, and compassion. Woodley doesn’t shy away from hard truths instead, he invites readers to confront the uncomfortable realities of how Western missionary movements have often misunderstood and even harmed the very cultures they intended to serve.

What I loved most about this book is how personal it feels. Woodley writes not just as a scholar, but as someone who has walked both sides of the path as a missionary and as an Indigenous person who has experienced the impact of colonial mindsets firsthand. His insights challenge the reader to think beyond traditional missionary models and to see mission work through a lens of humility, justice, and mutual respect.

This is not just a critique it’s a call to transformation. It made me pause, reflect, and ask what it truly means to share faith without erasing another’s culture or identity. I appreciated how he highlighted the voices of those who have often been silenced in mission history the cultural others who deserve to be heard and honored.

By the end of the book, I found myself both challenged and inspired. Mission and the Cultural Other is the kind of book that lingers in your mind long after you close it. It’s thoughtful, courageous, and full of wisdom. Whether you’re involved in mission work, theology, or simply care about justice and reconciliation, this book is a must read.

[Tom Albinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

an important read

Dr. Randy Woodley speaks clearly and prophetically from the heart. We who are white people and identify as Christian desperately need to hear and take to heart. His words offer hope of a better future. This is a must read - especially for white Christians seeking to engage others with the gospel.

[David Kehler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dangerous read!

If you know how God and the universe works and you want justification for marginalizing others, then this book is dangerous. If you want to see how you might love God and love others, then be blessed,

[Steve Hildebrand · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most important book I have read in 2023. Everyone from the dominant culture church should read it. Now to change my action not just my belief.

[Trisha Huddleston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really important, life changing, book. I thought the last few chapters were the best.