Missionary and Culture

Sulad Jhun Cardeinte

Missionaries working in the cross-cultural field must be aware that there are many people who will not accept change readily. They oppose to new ideas and methods. They are suspicious and prejudice, though your intention is for their good it will be misunderstood. The pen of inspiration says, “Workers with clear minds are needed to devise methods for reaching the people. Something must be done to break down the prejudice existing in the world against the truth.” Ev, 129 However, you cannot think of method unless you understand how they see things in their own worldview.

The basic human relational principle of missionary in the foreign land would be similar to visiting your neighbor’s house that you have to be observant to follow the household rules to fit in yourself with their routines. Though, the host family would understand that you are visitor but they would appreciate if you would behave the way all the family members do and common sense is needed in almost every situation.

So how do we meet people in other culture and belief? Cross-cultural ministry should be considered as “careful evangelism.” This should be breakdown into two;
First, careful about knowing what they believed. This means seeking to understand the people’s thinking and worldview. Second, careful about our relationship with them.

A missionary friend of mine shares his experience how they build up their relationship with the very sensitive minority Moslem tribe in the Philippines. He used to work as a mission school teacher. He told me that they very careful in giving awards. That all students should received honor-ribbons. He added that they didn’t have any problem proclaiming the academic honors students but they have tried to be make sure that the strength of each their students were acknowledged. And so all should receive honor ribbons, such as most diligent, most industrious, most kind and etc.” This has many positive effects. The students will remain motivated and on top of that, it is relationship-building between the missionary and the villagers.

Let’s face it, you don’t have effective ministry if you don’t have quality relationship with the people you are there for. If they have reservation to accept you then how about the gospel you have brought with you which is so strange to them? If you are personally strange then the gospel would be far more strange to them. Gospel will only be clear and understandable and acceptable when we make ourselves clear and acceptable, that they can simply build trust on and this relational move is our personal responsibility. If you could win them to yourself then you could usher them to the feet of Jesus. For me personally, I only trust the recommendation of friends whom I have trusted.