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

• 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)

Cultural Adjustment Map

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!