Preparing for Cross-Cultural Ministry

1. Preparing for Cross-Cultural Ministry

2. Culture • Learned and shared attitudes, values, and ways of behaving of a people

3. Biblical Concepts • All people are created in God’s image • All people are affected by the Fall • All people are in need of redemption

4. How to Think about Culture • Receive the good • Reject the evil • Redeem the broken

5. Differences • It is not right or wrong – it is different • Many of your customs and practices are strange and different

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Crisis Orientation • Anticipates crisis • Emphasizes planning • Seeks quick resolution to avoid ambiguity • Repeatedly follows a single authoritative, preplanned procedure • Seeks expert advice

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. Becoming a Learner • Look • Listen • Ask questions • Be teachable – don’t be a “know it all” • See everyone as your teacher

23. 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

24. 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)

25. Cultural Adjustment Map

26. Practical Areas • Dress code • Language • Behavior • Attitude • Love

27. 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!