#3 Ministering Cross-culturally

Trascritto

#3 Ministering Cross-culturally

1 nov 2024 · 41 min. 26 sec.

Descrizione

This podcast episode discusses the joys and challenges of ministering cross-culturally. The hosts, Josiah, Ryan, and Daniel, share their experiences and insights from working in different cultures around the world....

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Navigating cultural differences:- Ryan shares how his Catholic upbringing and exposure to Hispanic culture in Texas helped him connect with the predominantly Catholic Latin American countries he now works in.- Daniel highlights the unique strengths and perspectives he's observed in different cultures, such as the natural rhythm and joy of Africans, the spiritual depth of Asians, and the relational nature of Latinos.- Josiah recounts a humorous story of misunderstanding the Czech word "ano" (yes) as "no" during an outreach, leading to confusion and discouragement.
Differences in communication and expectations:- Ryan and Daniel discuss the language barriers they've encountered, including the importance of body language and feeling the spirit of what's being communicated, even when the words are not fully understood.- They share examples of miscommunications, such as the difference between "churro" (a pastry) and "churro" (diarrhea) in Spanish, and the need to be mindful of subtle word variations.- Josiah highlights the challenge of differing perspectives on time, with Americans being very efficient and punctual, while other cultures may be more relaxed and relationship-focused.
Importance of humility and learning from each other:- Ryan and Daniel emphasize the value of approaching cross-cultural ministry with humility, recognizing that they don't have all the answers and being willing to learn from the people they serve.- Josiah shares insights from a conversation with a European leader who recognized the American church's strong revelation of the resurrection, while the European church may be more focused on the cross.- The hosts discuss how ministering cross-culturally forces them to focus on discipleship and multiplication, as their individual limitations become more apparent.
Embracing the diversity of the global church:- The hosts celebrate the increasing diversity of the global Christian community, with a shift away from a predominantly white, European and American representation to a more diverse and representative body.- They express the joy of learning from the unique strengths and perspectives of different cultures, such as the relational nature of Latinos, the spiritual depth of Asians, and the rhythmic joy of Africans.
Encouragement to engage in cross-cultural experiences:- The hosts encourage listeners to step out of their comfort zones and engage with other cultures, as it can provide valuable perspective and humility, and a deeper understanding of the kingdom of God.- They emphasize the importance of becoming aware of one's own cultural values and biases, as this can help navigate cultural differences more effectively.

Overall, the podcast highlights the richness and challenges of ministering cross-culturally, emphasizing the value of humility, relationship-building, and learning from the diverse expressions of the global church.

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