INTRODUCTION TO CROSS CULTURAL MINISTRY
by Jim Sutherland
Director, Reconciliation Ministries Network
1/2/1998
IV. Degrees of Cross Cultural Ministry
DEGREES OF CROSS CULTURAL MINISTRY
Acts 1:8 is suggestive of degrees in cc ministry. For a Jew, Jerusalem represents intra-cultural ministry, or ministry to one's own culture. This has been termed M1.
Judea represents one's own culture, in another locale. However, even within one's culture are pockets of those with a different subculture. In America, ministry to "hyphenated Americans" is cc in nature. So is ministry to race track personnel. Ministry in Samaria is analogous to such cc ministry. Samaritans were if intermingled Jewish/Canaanite stock, and had a paganized Judaism (2 Kings 17:26-34). "Even while these people were worshipping the Lord, they were serving their idols." (2 Kings 17:41). This is equivalent to christo-paganism, on the order of "Mariolatry" in Roman Catholicism. This is termed M2. Usually the basic language is the same, although of a different dialect (such as Black English is to English).
The M3 field is equivalent to "the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Language and culture are entirely different from those of the missionary. A South American missionary who goes to India is an example. Linguistic gifts are needed for M3 ministry.
Historic hostilities can increase the distance between the missionary culture and the target culture, as the Jewish/Samaritan situation, and as Whites ministering to African Americans illustrate.
I. The Bible is Multi-Cultural and Above Culture
II. Communication, and the Divisions Caused by Sin
III. A Biblical Theology of Missions and Worldview
IV. Degrees of Cross Cultural Ministry
V. Principles of Cross Cultural Ministry: Incarnation
VI. Principles of Cross Cultural Ministry: Studying Cultures
VII. Principles of Cross Cultural Ministry: Relationship Building
VIII. Principles of Cross Cultural Ministry: Cross Cultural Teaching
© Copyright Jim Sutherland, 1/2/1998; Used with permission.
Jim Sutherland is Director of Reconciliation Ministries Network, which works cross-culturally to mobilize the Body of Christ, especially the African American church, for ministry.
You can send questions and responses to the author at Jim@reconciliationNetwork.org.
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