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Preparing for Cross-Cultural Ministry. Culture. Learned and shared attitudes, values, and ways of behaving of a people. Biblical Concepts. All people are created in God’s image All people are affected by the Fall All people are in need of redemption. How to Think about Culture.
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Culture • Learned and shared attitudes, values, and ways of behaving of a people
Biblical Concepts • All people are created in God’s image • All people are affected by the Fall • All people are in need of redemption
How to Think about Culture • Receive the good • Reject the evil • Redeem the broken
Differences • It is not right or wrong – it is different • Many of your customs and practices are strange and different
Time Orientation • Concern for punctuality and amount of time expended • Careful allocation of time to achieve the maximum within set limits • Tightly scheduled, goal-directed activities • Rewards offered as incentives for efficient use of time • Emphasis on dates and history
Event Orientation • Concern for details of the event, regardless of time required • Exhaustive consideration of a problem until resolved • A “let come what may” outlook not tied to any precise schedule • Stress on completing the event as a reward in itself • Emphasis on present experience
Dichotomistic Thinking • Judgments are black/white, right/wrong – specific criteria are uniformly applied in evaluating others • Security comes from the feeling that one is right and fits into a particular societal role • Information and experiences are systematically organized; details are sorted and ordered to form a clear pattern
Holistic Thinking • Judgments are open-ended – the whole person and all circumstances are taken into consideration • Security comes from multiple interactions within the whole of society – one is insecure if confined to particular roles or categories • Information and experiences are seemingly disorganized; details stand as independent points complete in themselves
Crisis Orientation • Anticipates crisis • Emphasizes planning • Seeks quick resolution to avoid ambiguity • Repeatedly follows a single authoritative, preplanned procedure • Seeks expert advice
Noncrisis Orientation • Downplays possibility of crisis • Focuses on actual experience • Avoids taking action; delays decisions • Seeks ad hoc solutions from multiple available options • Distrusts expert advice
Task Orientation • Focuses on task and principles • Finds satisfaction in the achievement of goals • Seeks friends with similar goals • Accepts loneliness and social deprivation for the sake of personal achievements
Person Orientation • Focuses on persons and relationships • Finds satisfaction in interaction • Seeks friends who are group-oriented • Deplores loneliness; sacrifices personal achievements for group interaction
Status Focus • Personal identity is determined by formal credentials of birth and rank • The amount of respect one receives is permanently fixed; attention focuses on those with high social status in spite of any personal failings they may have • An individual is expected to play his or her role and to sacrifice to attain higher rank • People only associate with their social equals
Achievement Focus • Personal identity is determined by one’s achievements • The amount of respect one receives varies with one’s accomplishments and failures • An individual is extremely self-critical and sacrifices in order to accomplish ever greater deeds • People associate with those of equal accomplishments regardless of background
Concealment of Vulnerability • Protection of self-image at all costs; avoidance of error and failure • Emphasis on the quality of performance • Reluctance to go beyond one’s recognized limits or to enter the unknown • Denial of culpability • Refusal to entertain alternative views or accept criticism • Vagueness regarding personal life
Willingness to Expose Vulnerability • Relative unconcern about error and failure • Emphasis on completion of event • Willingness to push beyond one’s limits and enter the unknown • Ready admission of culpability and weakness • Openness to alternative views and criticism • Willingness to talk freely about personal life
Misconceptions • They are just like us • They want to be like us • They are so happy • We are first ones to minister to them • What works for us will work for them
Misconceptions About Us • They think they can do anything • They only care about themselves • They are all violent and immoral • All Americans are Christians • All Americans are rich
Why We Prepare • We do not want to cause unnecessary offense • We do not want the Gospel to be misunderstood • We do not want to hinder the ongoing ministry
Things to do • Follow directions from missionaries and team leaders • Pray for wisdom and understanding • Seek to understand the culture • Assume the role of a learner • Beware of jumping to conclusions
Becoming a Learner • Look • Listen • Ask questions • Be teachable – don’t be a “know it all” • See everyone as your teacher
Things to avoid • Talking about your home country • Telling them the problems with their country • Giving money or making promises you cannot keep • Speaking, dressing, or behaving in a way that might be misinterpreted
Apply the “One Another's” • Prefer one another (Romans 12:10) • Greet one another (Romans 16:16) • Accept one another (Romans 15:7) • Forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32) • Serve one another (Galatians 5:13) • Pray for one another (James 5:16) • Fellowship with one another (1 John 1:7)
Practical Areas • Dress code • Language • Behavior • Attitude • Love
Special Caution • You have the potential to be a great blessing to the long-term ministry • You also have the potential to cause major problems for the long-term ministry • It is not about you!
