Let’s say you’re going to have the opportunity to meet with a new cross-cultural Christian worker. You only have one meeting, and in that one meeting, you’re asked to share 10 “lessons learned” or 10 tips or “10 things to know” for working cross-culturally today. What would be your 10 things?
For example, would you say….
*** Start with Spiritual Transformation: Get your inner Christian character core in place first.
*** Get some ministry experience: It doesn’t have to be on staff at an organized local church (though that would be great), but it definitely should be some kind of focused ministry connection with some body of believers.
*** Get the local heart language: Learn the national language, yes. You’ll probably need a 9-month course in that just so you can do business, talk to government leaders, and deal with banks. But don’t cut corners on the language people speak when they go home at night and talk about the day around the dinner table. You might need one to two years more at that.
*** Partner with local believers, where they are available. If there aren’t any, see if you can roust out some help from a near-neighbor culture or group, if appropriate.
*** Find a way to stay accountable: The easiest way — Join an agency. But your local church might be really good at sending missionaries directly. Or maybe you try to get the best of both worlds: Be sent-out by your local church, in partnership with a sending agency. Financially, strategically, emotionally, and in many other ways, it makes good sense to establish working relationships with people who are going to hold your feet to the fire really to do what you propose to do.
*** Learn all you can about ministry “methods,” then find/use what works: For example, will you utilize some kind of “neighborhood transformation” or “CHE” approach? … or will yours be a ministry of direct evangelism and discipleship in coffee shops? Here’s a good place to start:
http://www.churchplantingphases.com/page.php/id/112
*** Start with extraordinary prayer: Garrison found, in his research, that few people, if any, ever succeeded in launching a church-planting movement without it. Why would you even try?
*** Get together with the right team: Jesus sent out the disciples two-by-two for a reason. In the face of that precedent, you probably don’t want to be a lone ranger.
*** Make sure you have adequate resources before you start: For many, that means raising support. Get help from your agency or a support-raising coach. If you’re lucky enough to be offered full support from your local church, spend the next 7 days on your knees thanking God for your church’s vision and partnership.
*** Report back to prayer partners and supporters regularly: Even Paul did it (to the leaders at Antioch). Get set up on a reasonable and workable strategy, then stick with it no matter what.
So that’s an example of 10 things to know. But those are just examples. How would you word it? What would your list be like? What glaring omissions do you see from that list? Just click “Comment” below and let’s help new folks get it right. Thanks in advance for your help!
*** Learn how to do evangelism while you’re still in your home culture — and get excited about it. Yes, that’s right – actually get out there and DO IT. Don’t fall for the “I’m more of a discipler than an evangelist” line. And don’t fall for the idea that even though you don’t do evangelism in your home culture somehow you will magically start when you get cross-cultural. GET STARTED NOW!