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Lesson 4Preparing for

Cross-Cultural Ministry

Part A

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What is Culture?

Culture is the sum of the distinctive characteristics of a people’s way of life.

Culture is not neutral. All cultures stand under the judgment

of God and His word.

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Each of us has a set of eyeglasses we look through

to view reality

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Those represent our worldview which influences how we

• Understand reality

• Judge reality

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Common Stereotypes of what the

U.S. thinks of the Majority World

• Lazy• Inefficient• Emotional• Slow and unmotivated• Rooted in traditions• Corrupt leaders• Naïve• Strongly interdependent• Spiritual

Majority World thinks of the U.S..

• Aggressive• Preoccupied with tasks• Harshly pragmatic• Tense & pressured• Discontented & lonely• Corrupt leaders• Educated• Strongly individualistic• Materialistic

After Dearborn, STM Workbook, p. 25

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Understanding culture

• Cultures are complex and not easily understood

• Culture is a gift from God

• We are all shaped by our culture and carry cultural baggage wherever we go

• Different cultures have different worldviews

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Challenge of Entering a New Culture

Culture is the sum of the distinctive

characteristics of a people’s way of life

• Each culture is unique

– shared culture

– personal culture—shaped by values, life experiences, family history, education, personality, region

• Each of us carries a cultural bias

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Entering another culture

• We are all products of our cultural heritage which dictates how we see and how we interact

• We tend to think that everyone else sees and interacts with the world the way we do– Judgment comes quickly– Withhold judgment and ask questions then

comes understanding

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Cultural distinctives• Language

• Attitude toward time, routine, schedule

• Attitude toward space and property

• Attitude toward use and sharing of resources

• Thought processes

• Role of family, kin, community

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Cultural distinctives (cont)

• Attitude toward work and division of labor• Gender—different modes of speech, dress,

and conduct• Modes of learning—by observation,

modeling, or instruction• Food• Sanitation, hygiene• Humor and games• Beliefs, health procedures, social conflicts

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Whole Group Activity:How we value time

Question: How long would you wait for someone to meet you at Starbucks?

If <15 minutes, go to location 1 in the room.If <30 minutes, go to location 2.If >60 minutes, go to location 3.

This will show how people value time differently. Note: People in the Majority World have an attitude toward

time that is different from us in the West. Clock time is much less important than event time.

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Cultural blind spots in STM

• Our way is best

• “Time is money”

• The danger of misunderstanding the needs of the poor

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Our way is best• Insensitivity to differences

• Judgmental/critical spirit

• God-complex: this is what you need!

• Why can’t they be more like us

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Time—Clichés & Proverbs

• Time is money• Making every minute count• The sooner the better• No time like the present• Now or never• Opportunity only strikes once• Make hay while the sun shines• He who hesitates is lost• The early bird catches the worm• Make it short & sweet

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TimeObsession with time leads to:

– Urgency– Emphasis on “doing”– Control– Unwillingness to collaborate– Impatience– Demand for measurable results– Undue emphasis on efficiency– Quenching the Spirit

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Biggest Challenges in STM

• Communication

• Misunderstanding

• Personality conflict

• Poor leadership

• Bad teamwork

--David Livermore – Serving with Eyes Wide Open

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It takes time to Understand a Different Cultural

• Time—clock time vs. event time

• Task vs. relationship

• Context—high vs. low

• Individualism vs. Family & Community

• Power Distance—family, class, position

• Uncertainty avoidance

--Source: Livermore, Serve with your eyes wide open, p. 118-127

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It Takes Time to Understand a new culture so in the meantime:

•Look for common ground or similarities

•Use caution when (over)interpreting nonverbal behavior as it can easily be misunderstood

•It takes longer to discern differences so be patient

•Beware of creating stereotypes. Cultures are different and individuals within a culture are different

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RESULT

PERSONAL ENTRY POSTURE (Approach)

PERSONAL COPING SKILLS (Response)

Openness, Acceptance Trust Adaptability

Suspicion Fear Superiority Withdrawal Prejudice

Rapport & Empathy

Alienation & Isolation

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Dealing with culture shock

• Be intentional in making choices to stay on the upper track

• Suspend judgment• Discuss it with your team members, host

missionary, other expatriates—de-briefing• Journal to help process your thoughts and what

you are observing and learning• Try to learn a little of the local language• Be an inquirer, listener, learner• Examine your expectations—be realistic about

what you hope to accomplish

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Culture Shock: How to respond?

“The more we retreat from the Culture and the people

the less we learn about them;

the less we know about them,

the more uncomfortable we feel among them;

the more uncomfortable we feel among them,

the more inclined we are to withdraw.”

Source: Storti in Elmer Connections, p 43

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Culture Shock: What is it?

• “when you experience frustration from not knowing the rules or having the skills for adjusting to a new culture”-Elmer

• The reaction to the incongruity between your culture and one you are experiencing

• Typical emotions—embarrassment, disgust, fear, helplessness

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Realistic Expectations

• Can help protect us from major disappointments

• Can minimize the impact of culture shock

• Expectations can be shaped by good preparation and training

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Expectations about what?

• Local people’s feelings about the U.S.

• Accommodations

• Food

• Personal hygiene and sanitation

• Noises

• Time

• Transportation

• Ability to communicate

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Cross-Cultural Behavior:Some Guidelines

• Age—show respect for older people• Hierarchy—show respect to leaders—listen & learn• Gender—relationships, greetings, gestures• Dress—dress modestly, adapt to conventions—

pants, shorts• Formality—present yourself according to your

position• Conversation style—hints , metaphors, direct or

indirect• Group presentation—be tactful instead of noisy,

speak softly• Values—understand what is acceptable and not

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Cross-Cultural Behavior: Some Guidelines (cont)

• Food—eat & pray• Possessions—take only necessities• Time—go with the flow—event vs time orientation• Groups—community more important than individuals• Anger—oftentimes not expressed publicly• Failure—can be perceived as a weakness,

vulnerability, avoiding confrontation• Gift Giving—need to know how to give/receive gifts• Money—use with great care; danger of harm• Promises—be aware of making promises

intentionally or unintentionally

Adapted from: Stepping Out: A Guide to STM

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More practical ideas

• Travel with a cultural insider

• Move about with equipment exposed—be transparent

• Know as much about the culture as you can

• Dress and act appropriately

• Consider not paying to film but offer to buy something

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Small Group Activity

What kind of information should be solicited from

each team member in a pre-trip assessment?