Culture Brokers: Ministering Cross-Culturally

Culture is the inherited ideas, beliefs, values, knowledge, activities, and ideas of a group of people with shared traditions.

Building blocks of culture:

1.Fear

Building blocks of culture: 1.Fear 2.Shame

Building blocks of culture: 1.Fear 2.Shame 3.Guilt

Three primary cultures:

1.Fear-based

Three primary cultures: 1.Fear-based 2.Shame-based

Three primary cultures: 1.Fear-based 2.Shame-based 3.Guilt-based

Guilt-based Cultures

Right vs. Wrong

Guilt-based Cultures The issue is guilt vs. innocence

Fear-based Cultures

Humans fear humans

Fear-based Cultures Humans fear humans Humans fear supernatural

Fear-based Cultures Struggle for power

Fear-based Cultures The issue is fear vs. power

Shame-based Cultures

Honor is the highest virtue

Shame-based Cultures The issue is honor vs. shame

Culture Brokers: Ministering Cross-Culturally

Culture brokers

“…the act of bridging, linking, or mediating between groups or persons of different cultural backgrounds for the purpose of reducing conflict or producing change” (Jezewski, 1990).

Culture brokers “A cultural broker is defined as a go-between, one who advocates on behalf of another individual or group” (Jezewski & Sotnik, 2001).

Culture brokers 1. Liason

Culture brokers 1.Liason – bridging two worlds

Culture brokers 1.Liason 2.Cultural guide

Culture brokers 1.Liason 2.Cultural guide – helping people understand the ins and outs of the community

Culture brokers 1.Liason 2.Cultural guide 3.Mediator

Culture brokers 1.Liason 2.Cultural guide 3.Mediator – easing historical tension between US and other country

Culture brokers 1.Liason 2.Cultural guide 3.Mediator - trust

Culture brokers 1.Liason 2.Cultural guide 3.Mediator - trust - time

Culture brokers 1.Liason 2.Cultural guide 3.Mediator 4.Catalyst

Culture brokers 1.Liason 2.Cultural guide 3.Mediator 4.Catalyst – influencing people’s behavior, values, understanding

Culture brokers 1.Liason 2.Cultural guide 3.Mediator 4.Catalyst – influencing people’s behavior, values, understanding…and faith?

Culture brokers 1.Liason 2.Cultural guide 3.Mediator 4.Catalyst 5.Learners

Culture brokers 1.Liason 2.Cultural guide 3.Mediator 4.Catalyst 5.Learners – listening and loving people toward the Kingdom

Getting started

1. Pray

Getting started 1. Pray – ask God to lead you to someone who is seeking.

Getting started 1.Pray 2.Listen

Getting started 1.Pray 2.Listen – shows care; gives insight into person’s heart

Getting started 1.Pray 2.Listen 3.Observe

Getting started 1.Pray 2.Listen 3.Observe – watch how they dress, mannerisms, accessories

Getting started 1.Pray 2.Listen 3.Observe 4.Dialogue

Getting started 1.Pray 2.Listen 3.Observe 4.Dialogue – take an interest in them

Culture Brokers: Ministering Cross-Culturally

Getting started 1.Pray 2.Listen 3.Observe 4.Dialogue – take an interest in them

Questions for Internationals

What do you find interesting (strange, comical, different) about life here?

Questions for Internationals How are families here different?

Questions for Internationals How is work/education different?

Questions for Internationals Do you have pictures of your home or family?

Questions for Internationals Where is your home town (on the map)? What do people in your country think about people here?

Questions for Internationals What do you like/not like to eat? What do you do in your spare time? Do you have hobbies?

Questions for Internationals What activities here are you enjoying the most? (Does your new friend have contact with others, or is he or she alone most of the time?)

Getting started 1.Pray 2.Listen 3.Observe 4.Dialogue – when sharing your faith, make sure they understand your terms!

Stages of Friendship 1. Meet internationals

Stages of Friendship 1.Meet internationals 2.Build rapport and trust

Stages of Friendship 1.Meet internationals 2.Build rapport and trust 3.Transition to spiritual

Transition to spiritual What is your religious background? What is your religious background?

Transition to spiritual What is your religious background? What is your religious background? Did you have Christian friends in your country? Did you have Christian friends in your country?

Transition to spiritual What is your religious background? What is your religious background? Did you have Christian friends in your country? Did you have Christian friends in your country? Have you ever attended church? Have you ever attended church?

Transition to spiritual Have you met Christians here in America? Have you met Christians here in America?

Transition to spiritual Have you met Christians here in America? Have you met Christians here in America? Have you ever read the Bible? Have you ever read the Bible?

Stages of Friendship 1.Meet internationals 2.Build rapport and trust 3.Transition to spiritual 4.Introduce the Gospel

Stages of Friendship 1.Meet internationals 2.Build rapport and trust 3.Transition to spiritual 4.Introduce the Gospel 5.Be a friend and keep sharing!

Stages of Friendship 1.Meet internationals 2.Build rapport and trust 3.Transition to spiritual 4.Introduce the Gospel 5.Be a friend and keep sharing! 6.Follow up

Culture Brokers: Ministering Cross-Culturally