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| Home » Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility | | | | | | | Description: | | Duane Elmer asked people around the world how they felt about Western missionaries. The response? "Missionaries could be more effective if they did not think they were better than us." The last thing we want to do in cross-cultural ministry is to offend people in other cultures. Unfortunately, all too often and even though we don't mean it, our actions communicate superiority, paternalism, imperialism and arrogance. Our best intentions become unintentional insults. How can we minister in ways that are received as true Christlike service? Cross-cultural specialist Duane Elmer gives Christians practical advice for serving other cultures with sensitivity and humility. With careful biblical exposition and keen cross-cultural awareness, he shows how our actions and attitudes often contradict and offend the local culture. He offers principles and guidance for avoiding misunderstandings and building relationships in ways that honor others. Here is culturally-savvy insight into how we can follow Jesus' steps to become global servants. Whether you're going on your first short-term mission trip or ministering overseas for extended periods, this useful guide is essential reading for anyone who wants to serve effectively in international settings with grace and sensitivity. | | | Product Details: | | | Author:
| Duane Elmer | | Paperback:
| 212 pages | | Publisher:
| IVP Books | | Publication Date:
| March 08, 2006 | | Language:
| English | | ISBN:
| 0830833781 | | Product Width:
| 139.25 centimeters | | Product Height:
| 206.5 centimeters | | Product Weight:
| 0.65 pounds | | Package Length:
| 8.11 inches | | Package Width:
| 5.51 inches | | Package Height:
| 0.79 inches | | Package Weight:
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| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
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16 of 17 found the following review helpful:
 A 'must read' before heading out!Jan 05, 2007
By Beth Hutchings
I am using Cross-cultural Servanthood as a training tool for sending a surgical team to Mexico. It is excellent for preparing our hearts and minds to serve. It doesn't just tell you to be a servant but it tells you how to be one. I have read many book on short term missions but this book rises to the top as a 'must read' before going on the field. Last year we used Elmer's book Cross-cultural Connections and it too had fresh new insights that challenged our team to think more deeply about the impact we may have in another culture.
14 of 16 found the following review helpful:
 Cross-cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike HumilityNov 09, 2006
By Mitchell L. Webb
"mwebb"
This is a great book for those of us that believe we have the whole world figured out. The chapter on Humility is alone worth the price of the book. Great for anyone desiring to serve skillfully in culturally unfamiliar settings, whether in the United States or abroad.
7 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Very useful!Sep 24, 2008
By M Teresa Trascritti (book reviews) or Francis Trascritti (kindle links)
"Married couple who share the same account"
Although the book is subdivided by several sections, there are really two concepts to this book: (1) See the image of God in others-- which encompasses the ideas of "welcoming others into our presence," "communicating respect for others, " "building confidence in relationships," and "seeking information that changes you;" and (2) Show Christ to others-- which involves "posture of the servant," "becoming like Christ to others," "biblical foundations for change" and "the servant and leadership/power."
The section entitled, "Acceptance," basically suggests that Christians ought to see the image of God in others. Acceptance is "The ability to communicate value, worth and esteem to another person" (58). To illustrate the meaning of "acceptance," the author shares 1 Corinthians 8:13--"An accepting Christian values the other person so highly that he or she would rather sacrifice a personal preference, even a right, than risk losing the relationship or being a stumbling block to that person" (61). If a Christian believes that people are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), then there is "common grace" that is bestowed on all people.
The author explains it in this way, "Acceptance of others is to proactively communicate respect and dignity to each human being based on the fact that each is an image-bearer of God" (75). In a similar way, acceptance of others as image bearers of God is found in Galatians 3:28--"There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female" (NIV). One does not need to be a Christian in order to bear the image of God as illustrated in this passage: "Yes, you must execute anyone who murders another person, for to kill a person is to kill a living being made in God's image" (Genesis 9:6).
The author reminds the reader, "By virtue of being made in the image of God and God's common grace, every person can contribute to our learning" (109). He then shares a story about his wife, Muriel, who used the villagers' story about killing lice to help lower infant mortality in Mozambique (110). This type of humility helps Christians to become better servants (115). Colossians 1:16 says, "For by him (Christ) all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or power or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him" (NIV). If Christians truly believe this passage, then what the author says in page 119 makes sense: "For the priesthood of all believers to function properly, we must all nurture each other, listen to each other, see the beauty of Christ in each other and seek God's grace from each other."
Elmer shares a story of missionary who set the example of true hospitality towards people in the area by inviting them through the front door to dine with him (183). This practice was unacceptable to the other missionaries so as a result he was ostracized by them. However, this act of showing Christ to others changed the way foreign mission was done in that country (184). The reaction that this particular missionary received from the other missionaries was very much like the reaction Jesus received from the Pharisees in Luke 15:2--"The Pharisees and the Scribes complained saying `This Man receives sinners and eats with them'." This is a good example to follow--invite the people in the area to eat with us. Extend the invitation for them to join us over a meal. The Book of Hebrews supports this idea, "Do not forget to do good and to share" (Heb. 13:16).
The act of sharing a meal is what the author calls "openness," which is to "accept people as they are and build trust with them" (196). Elmer supports the idea of "openness" by stating, "This is the foundation for revealing Christ to others" (196). In fact showing Christ to others is a way of revealing the Gospel to unbelievers. It is having the light shine through us so that others are pointed to Christ (Matthew 5:14). In a way, it is doing what John the Baptist did--"God sent a man... to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony... he was simply a witness to tell about the light... the One who is the true light... to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:6-12).
Christians are to be different--"If you love only those who love you, what good is that? If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else?" (Matthew 5:46-47). The idea of being different is also expressed in Mark 10: "But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others" (Mark 10:33-35).
"Cross-Cultural Servanthood" is not only for international missions; it is very useful for pastors of stateside churches in rural or ethnic regions of the country. It supports the biblical fact that we are to see all people as an image of God and to be different in our expression of being "salt" and "light" to the community. The book made me realize that despite the criticism that we may receive from other churches for doing unconventional things, we must continue in our efforts. We must follow the example of Jesus and "dine" with sinners.
Review by: M. Teresa Trascritti
6 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Life ChangingOct 09, 2007
By A. Doulos
Because of the way I was raised, my ESL training, and my experiences in Africa, it may be that I am actually better at "other world cultures" than the subtle but shattering differences in what the author refers to as "home culture." For me, this book is as much about relationships as it is about serving other cultures.
The author's willingness to expose his own shortcomings on this subject creates a comfortable atmosphere of receptivity rather than one of exhortation. This did not dilute the intensity of my need to change some foundational thought processes. He provides some practical tools to do just that!
3 of 3 found the following review helpful:
Do Your Intentions to Serve Match Their Perceptions of You?Nov 28, 2010
By George P. Wood
In Cross-Cultural Servanthood, Duane Elmer tells the parable of a monkey who sees a fish swimming against the current of a stream (pp. 27-28). Assuming the fish is struggling to survive, the monkey plucks the fish out of the stream and places it on dry ground. At first, the fish flops around--excited to have been saved, the monkey thinks. When the fish stops moving, the monkey feels satisfied, believing the fish is resting contentedly. Of course, the fish is dead.
In cross-cultural exchanges, we intend to serve others, but our efforts may be perceived as exercises of arrogant power. The remedy is Christlike humility. "Humility is mandated," Elmer writes, "but"--and this exception is crucial--"its expression is culturally defined" (p. 33). We must both intend to be humble, in other words, and act in ways that people from other cultures perceive as humble.
How do we do this? Cross-Cultural Servanthood examines "the process of becoming a cross-cultural servant" (p. 19). Elmer outlines this process with six steps:
1. Openness: "the ability to welcome people into your presence and make them feel safe" (p. 39, emphasis in original).
2. Acceptance: "the ability to communicate value, worth and esteem to another person" (p. 58)
3. Trust: "the ability to build confidence in a relationship so that both parties believe the other will not intentionally hurt them but will act in their best interest" (p. 77).
4. Learning: "the ability to glean relevant information about, from and with other people" (p. 93).
5. Understanding: "the ability to see patterns of behavior and values that reveal the integrity of a people" (p. 125).
6. Serving: "the ability to relate to people in such a way that their dignity as human beings is affirmed and they are more empowered to live God-glorifying lives" (p. 146).
Elmer is G. W. Aldeen Professor of International Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. His book is clear and simply written, mixing theological and sociological analysis in balanced measure, and using illustrations from his life and career, as well as from the lives and careers of others.
I highly recommend this book to Christian missionaries, pastors, and laypeople who work in cross-cultural or multi-cultural settings. It will help them understand how to better communicate the gospel in word and deed. It will also help them examine their own motives to make sure they are serving rather than patronizing others.
See all 21 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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