"In this finely crafted book Sherwood Lingenfelter lays solid theoretical foundations for analyzing many of the intercultural misunderstandings that emerge in the everyday lives of those in global ministries. By careful analysis of case studies, the author helps us apply these insights to our ministries, and guides us to biblically-based and culturally sensitive responses to the difficult issues raised by cultural differences. This is essential reading for all entering intercultural ministry."
(Paul Hiebert, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School)
For 10 years, Jonathan Lewis edited the WEA Missions Commission bulletin "Training for Cross-Cultural Ministries." Last year, the Missions Commission Global Leadership Team decided it was time to discontinue the Training bulletin and publish a quarterly journal that would inform the global missions community about the task forces and networks associated with the Missions Commission. The new journal is called Connections and the first issue has now been released. The quality and scope of the material in its 86 pages is impressive (Features, Reports, News and Announcements, Book Reviews and a Missiological Reflection on globalization). A text-only version is available free by email. Hard copy is available on a paid subscription basis (USD$10.00 for one year, USD$25.00 for three years). For more information send a message to: .
Andrew Walls is unquestionably one of the most important scholars of mission studies and World Christianity in our day. His literary work has been mainly found in journal articles over the years, limiting his access to the general reader. We are therefore indebted to Orbis for having gathered this collection of essays into a book. The content is presented in three parts. Part 1 explores the historical process by which the Christian faith has been transmitted across cultural boundaries. Part 2 looks at aspects of African church history, while Part 3 presents "vignettes" of the missionary movement from the West.
Nicholas Brealey Intercultural, June 2001 (2nd ed), 169 pages Most people who go abroad to serve, live or work genuinely want to adapt to the local culture. Very few of them do. True cultural adjustment and effective cross-cultural interaction is more elusive than might be imagined. This book shows how it can be done. Written from a secular perspective, it nevertheless is a goldmine of information and help.
Here's help and encouragement for women living and working cross culturally. To receive this free email newsletter, email joinb@peterswife.org. PW is carefully worded to protect those in sensitive areas. The web site http://peterswife.org has been redesigned for speed and access. All previous newsletters are in the Archive for easy reference. The newest addition is a Forum that provides a place to exchange ideas and receive more immediate help. All are welcome.
Global Opportunities is an agency which mobilizes and equips cross cultural lay witnesses or tentmakers ("Christian professionals who work in secular jobs in order to reach another people with the Gospel, by integrating work and witness").The Global Opportunities web site (see above) offers information on events, seminars, courses and resources of interest to tentmakers. GO World, the journal of tentmaking published by Global Opportunities is now available as a free download from the web site. Each issue contains tentmaker stories, articles on tentmaking and missions, a country profile, and is sure to stimulate your missions thinking.
Designed to equip the missionary with the skills necessary for effective and enduring cross-cultural ministry, this course covers Becoming a student of culture (research required); Entering and beginning a cross-cultural ministry; Discovering existing social structure-systems of relationships and processes; Developing ministry plans based on cultural understanding; Transition process; Culture shock; Realistic expectations; Marriage/single/family preparedness; TCK identity and issues; Practical mechanics of getting to the field; Development of appropriate interpersonal skills, including listening skills, building trust, problem solving, coping with crisis and suffering; Conflict and confrontation skills; and Dynamics of effective teams and team leaders. Dates for the course are May 28-June 20, 2003 at the Center for Intercultural Training campus in North Carolina.
For more info email citmail@cit-online.org or call 800.887.1786 or log on at http://www.cit-online.org.
Everybody's Guide to People Watching
Insights from the World's Favorite Pastime
By Aaron Wolfgang
Sets out a step-by-step process of observing people, how they act, how they communicate. Emphasizes the nonverbal behavior in cross-cultural interaction. Shows how culture affects people-watching. And how developing your people-watching skills will enable you to function effectively in cultural contexts other than your own. Paperback. 90-page. $13/copy. (PEOP)
The Art of Crossing Cultures
How to Effectively Interact With Your New Culture
By Craig Storti
Most people who go abroad to serve, live or work genuinely want to adapt to the local culture. Very few of them do. True cultural adjustment and effective cross-cultural interaction is more elusive than you or I might imagine. This book shows you how it can be done. Written from a secular perspective, this book is a gold mine of information and help. $17 per copy. Paperback. 136 pages. (TACC)
Good Neighbors
Communicating With The Mexicans
By John C. Condon
Linked by powerful historical, geographical, economic, political and cultural ties, the peoples of Mexico and the U.S. differ immensely in what they believe, how they behave, how they think, and in the way they perceive the world. Here is the one book every STM leader and participant should read before going to Mexico! $14 per copy. 104 pages. Paperback. (GNCM)
From Nyet to Da
Understanding the Russians
By Craig Storti
A highly informative and readable book about the underlying cultural factors affecting Russian mindsets and behaviors. An excellent companion for anyone anticipating a trip to Russia. An indispensable tool for students, tourists, businessmen, and short-term mission participants. How to have a better understanding of Russian culture and society. $19 per copy. Paperback. 191 pages. (NYET)
Understanding Arabs
A Guide for Westerners
By Margaret K. (Omar) Nydell
A valuable companion for anyone wishing to better understand Arabs and the nature of Arab culture. The dynamic patterns of change that have influenced the Arab World in recent times are highlighted, and illuminating insights in to the minds and hearts of Arabs are offered. It is a kind of cross-cultural handbook, written in simple, straightforward prose. $20 per copy. Paperback. 173 pages. (ARAB)
From Da to Yes
Understanding the East Europeans
By Yale Richmond
How to understand and work with East Europeans who are moving from "Da" (subservience to the East) to "Yes" (cooperation with the West). An inventory of important customs, ways of thinking, and patterns of communication. This book is filled with sound advice on how visitors can be cross-culturally effective in working with the people they encounter. $19/copy. Paperback. 341 pages. (DATO)
The Whole World Guide to Culture Learning
By J. Daniel Hess
When we go abroad, we encounter things about the host culture which disturb us. To adapt satisfactorily, and to effectively exploit the opportunities for culture learning, we need to overcome these negative responses that are so prevalent. This book faces squarely the difficulties inherent in cross-cultural experiences, and shows how real learning can take place. $25/copy. Oversized paperback. 266 pages. (CLRN)
Into Africa
Intercultural Insights
By Yale Richmond and Phyllis Gestrin
An invaluable source for anyone wanting to "experience" Africa. Major sections cover communal and social structures, effective interaction with Africans, workplace management, and distinctive cultural characteristics of Africa's principal regions. Valuable understanding and practical insight for travelers, short-term mission leaders and team participants. $19 per copy. Paperback. 283 pages. (AFRC)
Ministering Cross-Culturally
An Incarnational Model for Personal Relationships
By Lingenfelter & Mayers
This is one of the classics on cross-cultural issues. This book helps readers identify their own value biases, and thus creates in them an increased sensitivity to others. Principles for effective Christian ministry are discerned from Scripture, and then applied to the daily realities of interpersonal relationships. $8 per copy. 125 pages. Paperback. (MNCC)
The Whole World Guide to Language Learning
By Terry Marshall
This is the book everyone should choose if they are going abroad for more than just a few weeks. Whether you enroll in formal language classes, or work language learning into a busy work or ministry schedule, the author's "on location" approach to language learning will fit your needs. Key concepts are getting a mentor, and using the "daily learning cycle." $18/copy. Paperback. 160 pages. (LANG)
Turning Bricks into Jade
Mutual Understanding Among Chinese and Americans
By Wong, Brislin, Wang, Williams, and Chao
Forty-one examples are presented of dilemmas or misunderstandings brought about by cultural differences in expectations and behavior. Each incident is followed by a discussion of the possible solutions, which are concise cross-cultural lessons in themselves. Concepts useful to understanding Chinese-American interaction are given. $29/copy. Paperback. 236 pages. (JADE)
Asia: A Christian Perspective
By Mary Ann Lind
See Asia from a Biblical Christian worldview. See its geography as God's handiwork. Its history as God's plan unfolding. Its religions as a Christian challenge. Its culture as part of God's diversity. It's contemporary issues as opportunity. A unique understanding of Asia where two-thirds of the world's population live. Stimulating and challenging reading for every Christian. $10 per copy. Paperback. 179 pages. (ASIA)
Encountering the Chinese
A Guide for Americans
By Hu Wnzhong and Cornelius Grove
To fathom the complex culture of China is a daunting task. This book rises to the challenge. A practical and sensitive cross-cultural analysis of Chinese culture, along with insights into how best to communicate and interact with Chinese people. Written from a secular perspective. An invaluable resource. $18 per copy. 224 pages. Paperback. (ETCG)
Cross-Cultural Conflict
Building Relationships for Effective Ministry
By Duane Elmer
Whether at home or abroad, communicating with people of other cultures is difficult. It requires new ways of thinking and interpreting the world. When conflict arises, the issues become even more confusing. The author shows how to handle various types of conflict, effectively and positively. Numerous stories and examples enliven the text. $12 per copy. Paperback. 189 pages. (CONF)
Anthropological Reflections on Missiological Issues
By Paul G. Hiebert
An important book for those church and short-term mission leaders who want to go deeper in their understanding of mission. Here are global trends that we must understand in
to reach key groups; anthropological grids that help contextualize the gospel; first-hand insights on spiritual warfare and power encounters with other religion; and practical instructions for church planting. $20 per copy. Paperback. 272 pages. (ANTH)
As more and more people desire to go to the mission field, there are organizations providing needed training for these prospective overseas workers. Africa Inland Mission has a program called, 'Training In Ministry Outreach', or 'TIMO". A member at AIM said "It's geared toward training new missionaries in cross-cultural ministry, and how to learn a language, and how to proclaim the Gospel to another culture. As you're living among the people, you're also learning the academic curriculum." According to Findley, seasoned missionaries train recruits where there's not Gospel witness. But, do they stay when their time is up? "Not only do people return to the place that there were serving, but people often find that those two years are very formative in discerning the Lord's will for them and often do come back. Perhaps in another capacity, but perhaps also in church planting, evangelism and discipleship, which is what TIMO is about."
Cross-cultural prejudices: we all have them, but sometimes they are not easily recognized. This new book uses a fun and non threatening approach to help us discover and address attitudes that hinder cross-cultural understanding. The Cross-Cultural Evangelism Game is must reading for people involved in missions work. It ís also a great discussions starter for Bible study groups and classes. ($7 (US), tax included. Add $1.50 for shipping in US and Canada, $3 for all other countries. Send check or money order to: Aloha Ke Akua, HC2 Box 6845, Keaíau HI 96749. For information on bulk, school or church discounts email: alohake@ilhawaii.net.
Ethnic Harvest seeks to serve ethnic churches in North America, to inspire and equip the Church for cross-cultural ministry, and to build bridges for missions outreach between ethnic Christians living in North America in the country of their birth. The site has articles on how to start a successful cross-cultural outreach at your church, "Who Lives in Your State" demographics on ethnic populations, and hundreds of links to Christian organizations and resources for ethnic ministry. Warmly in Christ,
Barb Parsloe
Ethnic Harvest
As Christians, we have been called by Christ to serve Him in a multi-faith world. But how can we effectively relate to and share the gospel with people of other faiths? This outstanding cross-cultural guide to evangelism in the twenty-first century directs Christians to respond sensitively and wisely to the cultures and beliefs of non-Christians of any nation. Christians, with the love of Christ, must oppose deception with the truth of God's Word. This excellent book will convince readers of the distinctiveness of the Christian faith, and spur them to be effective witnesses for Christ in the world today. Dr. Ajith Fernando has been the National Director of Youth for Christ in Sri Lanka since 1976. This book is available from Amazon Books at a 20% discount. Link directly from the web site above and help earn commission for CMD.
