OMF Blog
Understanding cross-cultural ministry
OMF Taiwan - Saturday 18 April 2009Recently I have discovered a number of books about cross-cultural ministry that I wish were available 20 years ago. I would make all of these required reading for anyone intending to be involved in cross-cultural or multi-cultural ministry.
Duane Elmer has written Cross-cultural Conflict, Cross-cultural Connections , and Cross-Cultural Servanthood . I found the first book especially helpful offering practical ideas in how to deal with the inevitable conflicts that take place in ministry.
At the moment I am reading Leading Cross-Culturally by Sherwood Lingenfelter. It is also very practical - and challenging. Missionaries talk a lot about partnership with local believers. But we often come into a situation with our own vision, mission and strategy (read "agenda"). Lingenfelter points out that the end result is we fail to build relationships of trust and try to control people rather than serving them.
These books all provide much needed warnings, raise relevant issues, and provide biblical and practical advice towards serving the gospel in another culture.
Phil Nicholson