Intercultural studies are becoming inevitable and indispensable if we expect ministry to be effective in this globally networked world. It is not just good but necessary for those called to share the message across cultural borders. Central to intercultural studies is that every culture has its own unique worldview, values and communication styles. This information is vital to missionaries to help them relate better and more respectfully with the people they seek to reach. This will prevent misunderstandings and lead to the building of good and real relationships.
Community
For example, most non-Western cultures are group-oriented and may emphasize family and community. So a missionary unaware of the fact may be concerned with individualistic acts like conversion without looking at the implications of faith decisions on the community. In many African cultures, the concept of Ubuntu (“I am because we are”) emphasizes community and interconnectedness. A missionary entering such a community might initially focus on preaching individual salvation and personal relationship with Christ, which is a common approach in Western contexts. However, this focus on individualism might not resonate well with the communal mindset of the local people. Instead of focusing on individual conversion, the missionary might engage the community leaders and elders, understanding their influence and seeking their approval by organizing community gatherings to present the message of Christianity, highlighting the concept of collective salvation and how faith can strengthen community bonds.
By recognizing and respecting the communal nature of the culture, the missionary’s message is more likely to be received positively and understood within the appropriate cultural framework. This approach not only facilitates acceptance but also honors the cultural dynamics, ensuring that the message of faith is integrated into the communal life rather than perceived as a threat.
Cultural Sensitivity
Cultural sensitivity is one of the basic principles of the effective working of a missionary. It involves being aware of and respecting other cultures’ beliefs, practices and customs. Intercultural studies enable a missionary to walk graciously and humbly through such differences. This sensitivity does not compromise the gospel but ensures that we present the gospel in ways that honor the recipient’s cultural identity.
A practical example of this is language. If a missionary learns but a few sentences of the indigenous language, it will positively influence that missionary’s interaction with people tremendously and demonstrate respect for trying to come into their world. Cross-cultural studies understand that language is more than the vehicle for communication; it is the entry into a culture. One of the critical values of intercultural ministry is respect. It is an attitude that is taught through listening, learning and treating the cultural expressions of others as valuable treasures. Intercultural studies tend to develop an attitude of learning, not teaching in missionaries. This fosters mutual respect and opens the way for deeper, more meaningful exchanges.
For example, understanding Islamic beliefs and practices when working with Muslims will lead to respectful dialogue and relationship building. A well-trained missionary in the field of intercultural studies will not come to his Muslim friends to check his preconceived ideas and stereotypes but, instead, will search for ways to try to understand his friends’ faith within the tradition of Islam and establish commonality. The process of re-contextualizing may open up an opportunity to faithfully present the gospel.
Contextualization
This is what contextualization means: making a cultural adaptation of the presentation of the gospel in a particular context. Brian Willson’s experience translating a sentence into the Thai language illustrates this point. In the following sentence, he could not manage to make it sound right in Thai and yet still convey the subtleties that the sentence includes: “In this hour of utmost extremity, David, instead of permitting his mind to dwell upon these painful circumstances, looked earnestly to God for help.” The answer came when he shortened the sentence: “In this crisis hour, David did not dwell on the painful circumstances but turned to seek help from God.” When the above sentence was shortened, dropping the words “instead of” Duang and Ammart, two local helpers working on the translation, declared this to be correct. “That’s it!”
The example shows how the missionary’s message should be contextualized. The sentence became more relatable and meaningful to the Thai people by bringing that level of adaptability to the language and taking out complex structures. It also respects the cultural context and makes possible the effective communication of the core message and its appeal to seek God in times of crisis.
Local Adaption
It would also mean using local symbols, stories and traditions to explain biblical truths. For instance, stories may be an effective tool for communicating the gospel to some cultures characterized by a strong tradition of orality. This is where intercultural studies become important in guiding missionaries to understand cultural touchpoints for sharing the message of Christianity. Gideon Petersen’s work with the Himba people is a good example of this approach. He initially tried various Christian techniques, including traditional Bible studies, visual aids like felt boards and picture rolls, lessons from everyday life, and teaching English. None of these methods were successful until he observed a special ceremony that involved traditional songs, dancing and chanting. This insight led him to incorporate these cultural elements into his ministry. He began recording oral Bible stories in the Himba language, integrating traditional songs, poetry and chants. These recordings were then distributed to 53 men and women who were eager to hear the Bible stories through their own cultural lens.
Respectful Engagement
Ultimately, intercultural studies revolve around bridging that gap between any two given cultures. It’s about finding common ground and creating spaces where the gospel can be shared and received in openness and mutual respect. In our global village, where cultural misunderstanding results in conflict, the missionary with intercultural knowledge becomes a peacemaker and bridge-builder. The importance of this intercultural preparation for mission work cannot be exaggerated. It improves cultural sensitivity, allows for respectful engagement and accomplishes the contextualization of the Christian message. In view of the Great Commission, missionaries seeking to understand and engage other cultures transform it from being just a strategy into a calling. By doing this, the missionaries would be able to faithfully and effectively share the love of Christ in an increasingly multicultural world. By this, they embody the incarnational ministry model — just as Jesus ministered to people, He came not to be served but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).
