Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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!

The book looks like it is brand new. No markings on the pages and no wear and tear on the cover.

My book came when it was supposed to and was in great shape. It was also cheaper than elsewhere.