Cross-Cultural Connections: Stepping Out and Fitting In Around the World [Paperback]

Duane Elmer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 29, 2002

With the new realities of global interconnectedness comes a greater awareness of cultural diversity from place to place. Besides differences in food and fashion, we face significant contrasts of cultural orientation and patterns of thinking. As we travel across cultures, what should we expect? How do we deal with culture shock? And can we truly connect with those we meet? Experienced cross-cultural specialist Duane Elmer provides a compass for navigating through different cultures. He shows us how to avoid pitfalls and cultural faux pas, as well as how to make the most of opportunities to build cross-cultural relationships. Filled with real-life illustrations and practical exercises, this guide offers the tools needed to reduce apprehension, communicate effectively, and establish genuine trust and acceptance. Above all, Elmer demonstrates how we can avoid being cultural imperialists and instead become authentic ambassadors for Christ. Whether you are embarking on a short-term mission trip or traveling for business or pleasure, this book is both an ideal preparation and a handy companion for your journey.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Elmer has given us a tremendous resource for the twenty-first century. In this day and age people from different cultures and racial backgrounds are intersecting with each other more frequently now than ever before. This thought-provoking, insightful and practical book delivers excellent biblical references to support key principles. A must-read for Christians or non-Christians, local churches, Christian colleges and universities, mission organizations, and those connected to the marketplace." (Alvin C. Bibbs Sr., director, Extension Ministries, Willow Creek Community Church )

"It's a delight to learn how concerned for the right things we can be and yet still be so far from the mark, which is often the case. It will soon be, I am sure, an adopted, fresh standard of measure for new-candidate missions training, evangelism and even new-marriage counseling. All by their nature involve understanding our too-narrowed selves in crosscultural settings, which this book (get a good highlighter pen) clearly provides. . . . Elmer has successfully placed before us a 'working book' that, while wonderfully written and easily read, also begs you to underline scores of 'make-sense' insights and then tab the page so you can find them again." (M. L. Hillard, former vice president of people development, ServiceMaster )

"We live in a world of rapidly increasing cross-cultural connections, which raises the great dangers of misunderstandings, alienations and conflicts. Much has been written theoretically on how to make them constructive. Drawing on his wide personal experience and teaching intercultural communications to those ministering around the world, Elmer helps us to see that crosscultural relationships take place in the realities of everyday life, and shows us concrete ways to build relationships of understanding and trust across the cultural gulfs we encounter in global ministries. . . . Effective cross-cultural ministries begin with interpersonal relationships that bridge the cultural gulfs that separate people." (Paul G. Hiebert, professor of mission and anthropology, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School )

"Starting with the story of a monkey 'rescuing' a fish from 'drowning,' Elmer shows the rest of us primates how to jump into the chilly waters of another culture and learn to swim with the fish. As one who has seen him do this effectively with business personnel, I am delighted that his insights are now available to far more who are making the plunge--especially those doing so for Christ's sake." (J. Dudley Woodberry, professor of Islamic studies and dean emeritus, School of World Mission, Fuller Theological Seminary )

"Elmer makes complicated and technical material easy and practical. He has a gift of connecting both theory and practice in such a way that they become usable. Although written with Western readers in mind, the book reflects Two-Thirds World thinking. It works both ways--for those who wish to cross the cultural limits from the West to the Two-Thirds World or vice versa. For this reason I recommend this book not only to the Western readers but also to Two-Thirds World peoples." (David Tai-Woong Lee, director, Global Missionary Training Center, Seoul, Korea )

"With his candid humor and personal applications, Elmer knows how to instruct adults. This is not just a book but a training manual that incorporates some good andragogical principles of adult education. . . . Elmer doesn't just take us to the field, but treats the oft-neglected topic of reentry. The appendix, while directed to a debriefing of a longer term cross-cultural experience, could well be a separate manual to debrief the many short-termers who need post-trip evaluation." (John H. Orme, executive director, IFMA )

"Elmer provides a valuable and timely tool for crosscultural work, especially as the face of world missions is changing. No longer is missions from the 'West to the rest,' but from 'everywhere to everywhere.' This delightful trend in missions makes Elmer's book even more significant. Today, Peruvians face culture shock in China, and Taiwanese are challenged to understand Sudan. Missionaries in multinational teams need to learn to work with their colleagues as well as with host-country nationals. Cross-Cultural Connections is filled with sound principles and fascinating stories. I will be sending copies of the book to each of our personnel directors." (Jim Plueddemann, international director, SIM )

"Cross-Cultural Connections will help you understand core values that determine how people in different cultures make decisions and interact in everyday life. I started and finished reading the book on my flight from the U.S. to China. I found many practical insights and a deep perception and appreciation coming from an author that is obviously a cross-cultural veteran. Although I live and travel constantly between different cultures, I was able to reflect on a couple sticky situations of my own with the wisdom offered by the book." (Janson Chan, president, CMR International Corp )

"Today’s world demands the awareness, mindset and skills that Elmer delivers in Cross-Cultural Connections. Multicultural interactions, once reserved for the world traveler and missionary, are now everyone’s experience. For success in missions trips, business trips and in a demographically changing U.S., every Christian needs the insights in this book . . . everyday." (Wayne Shabaz, cross-cultural business consultant and author of The Corporate Genome: Unleashing the Power of Our Diversity )

"Once again, Elmer has provided us with an excellent, insightful and interactive guide for preparation for cross-cultural ministry at home or abroad. The applications to interpersonal relationships are many. This is a must-read for any Christian anticipating wider involvement in service for our Lord. I only wish this very useful book had been available to me prior to my international involvement." (Howard Searle, M.D., executive director, Emmanuel Hospital Association (USA) )

"This book will help us love our neighbors in ways that make sense to them." (Miriam Adeney, associate professor of global and urban ministries, Seattle Pacific University, and teaching fellow, Regent College )

About the Author

Duane Elmer is the G. W. Aldeen Professor of International Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. In addition to traveling and teaching in over seventy-five countries, he has provided cross-cultural training to people from Fortune 500 companies, relief and development agencies, mission organizations, churches and educational institutions. He has also conducted peace and reconciliation efforts in several countries. He is the author of Cross-Cultural Conflict: Building Relationships for Effective Ministry (IVP).

Product Details

• Paperback: 215 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (August 29, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830823093
• ISBN-13: 978-0830823093
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #29,005 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #30 in Books > Christian Books & Bibles > Evangelism > Missions & Missionary Work

More About the Author

Duane H. Elmer (Ph.D., Michigan State U.) is director of the Ph.D. program in educational studies and is the G. W. Aldeen Chair of International Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. In addition to traveling and teaching in over 75 countries, he has provided cross-cultural training to Fortune 500 companies, relief and development agencies, mission organizations, churches and educational institutions. He has also conducted peace and reconciliation efforts in several countries. Recently, he led faculty development workshops at over 25 European and Middle Eastern schools on the theme of Teaching for Transformation. He has taught at Durban Bible College (Durban, South Africa), Michigan State University and Wheaton College and Graduate School.

His articles have been published in journals such as Moody Monthly, Evangelical Missions Quarterly, Christian Education Journal, Discernment, and Christianity Today. His books include An Analysis of Hebrews: A Programmed Instruction, Building Relationships, With an Eye on the Future: Church and Development in the Twenty-First Century, Cross-Cultural Conflict and Cross-Cultural Connections.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must have for cross-cultural transition, August 30, 2005

By 

Brian Fulthorp - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cross-Cultural Connections: Stepping Out and Fitting In Around the World (Paperback)

The purpose of Duane Elmer's book Cross-Cultural Connections is to help the reader become aware of the different aspects of transitioning into other cultural settings. Understanding the issues of cross-cultural transition will enable the potential missionary or tentmaker to have an increased awareness of the issues he or she will face in the new setting. This awareness will allow for realistic expectations and reduce the effects of any difficulties one will encounter in the transition. In turn one will then be able to manage the transition effectively and be able to build new relationships.

In helping the reader better understand new cultural settings, Elmer suggests cultural differences aren't "right or wrong, they're just different" (pg. 24). He sets limits on this assertion by saying there are absolutes. However, one must be careful not to judge too quickly before deciding some part of the culture is right or wrong. Some suggestions he gives for working through cultural differences are to stop and evaluate personal feelings and the feelings of others, to suspend judgment, and to ask "why" questions. Following these suggestions will allow one to have a more positive experience with cultural transitions.

The most useful portion of this book provided the reader specific guidance on how to develop the right attitudes and skills for cross-cultural adjustment. Three primary areas were addressed: openness, acceptance and trust.

For Elmer, "openness is the ability to welcome people into your presence and help them feel safe" (pg. 87). If a missionary does not maintain an attitude of openness and approachability, he or she will directly undermine receptivity of the gospel message. Acceptance then, "is the ability to communicate value, regard, worth, and respect to others" (pg. 94). People in every culture need to feel accepted in order to be open to the gospel. Trust is the outworking of openness and acceptance. In many ways, trust makes all the difference in the effectiveness of relationships and ultimately if one will have permission to share Christ or not. When people sense openness and acceptance from missionaries, they will begin to trust them and in time become open to the gospel message.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Opens your mind to cultural blind-spots you didn't know you had, May 30, 2009

By 

M. Bjerk (Greenville, SC) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cross-Cultural Connections: Stepping Out and Fitting In Around the World (Paperback)

This book is aimed at Christian workers who are in cross-cultural ministry, but the insights in the book are not limited in application to Christian work.

The author clearly lays out the issues that you will *very* likely encounter in a cross-cultural situation. He has vast experience in cross-cultural situations, and he taps into it very well with appropriate illustrations and stories.

The tone of the book is very casual and friendly, making a daunting subject seem very approachable and understandable.

The book has built-in application sections and activities (which I didn't do) that could really deepen the content if you took the time to work through them. It is not a book that you can read with your brain turned off.

I highly recommend it to anyone who will spend any significant amount of time in another culture.

4 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST for world travelers, August 18, 2005

By 

Gerri Pett "danceangel" (Zephyrhills Florida United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cross-Cultural Connections: Stepping Out and Fitting In Around the World (Paperback)

A wonderful resource for travelers around the world. Knowledge is power! Very helpful ideas for understanding and connecting with other cultures. Much of it applies to daily life anywhere!