Contents

Cultivating a Knowledge of Culture

by Steve Pettis

Summary:
Intercultural work of any kind requires an understanding of culture. This key concept, developed and researched by anthropologists, provides a way of appreciating people from all over the world.

Author:
Stephen Pettis, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies at Indiana Wesleyan University. He holds degrees in history, theology and intercultural studies and has traveled extensively, leading short-term mission teams in the U.S., Mexico, Eastern Europe and the Caribbean. He has also served as a pastor with the Church of the Nazarene and ministered in the area of church planting and training national pastors in Bermuda, Portugal, and the Azores.

World View and Intercultural Understanding

by Boyd Johnson

Summary:
To truly comprehend the “heart” of a culture, we must examine its “world view” – the underlying system of meaning that guides all individuals and societies. This article focuses on the American world view, as a model of how to explore other cultures.

Author:
Boyd Johnson, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Graduate Studies in Leadership at Indiana Wesleyan University, where he teaches in the Organizational Leadership doctoral program. He holds degrees in anthropology, theology and international studies, and has worked in international development, teaching and training for over 25 years, on all continents.

Three Important Aspects of Evangelism

by Jim “Umfundisi” Lo

Summary:
There is an important distinction between various components of evangelism. In this article, three aspects are examined, with examples of each one, and we are challenged to think through which is the most appropriate means of sharing the Gospel.

Author:
Jim Lo, Ph.D., is Dean of Campus Ministries and Campus Pastor at Bethel University. He holds degrees in intercultural studies, ministerial education and practical theology. Dr. Lo has published widely in the intercultural field, and was a missionary in Southern Africa and Cambodia for approximately 14 years. He has been extensively involved in church planting, theological education, and leading short-term mission groups to countries around the world.

My Journey From Propositional to Narrative Evangelism

by Tom Steffen

Summary:
In this candid article, Dr. Steffen reviews the impact of his own cultural assumptions in the way he ministered in the mission field. It covers the importance of oral traditions, relationships and the role of narrative communication in evangelism.

Author:
Tom Steffen, D.Miss., is Professor of Intercultural Studies and Director of the Doctor of Missiology Program at the School of Intercultural Studies at Biola University. He served 20 years with New Tribes Mission, 15 of those in the Philippines. Dr. Steffen has authored several books and articles on missions and cross cultural issues.

Christian Witness in a Marketplace of Cultured Alternatives

by Mathias Zahniser

Summary:
Today there are many alternative belief systems, and although they used to be far away in other cultures, they now exist all around us. In encountering other faiths, it is important to focus on relationships, building appropriate bridges to people, while overcoming fear and falsehoods.

Author:
Mathias Zahniser, Ph.D., is Professor Emeritus of Christian Mission at the E. Stanley Jones School of World Mission and Evangelism at Asbury Theological Seminary. He holds degrees in Islamic Studies and Arabic, theology, Middle East Area Studies and Christian Mission, and philosophy and religion. Dr. Zahniser has been a missionary in Egypt, published widely on Islamic issues, missions and religion, and is a popular speaker on these topics despite his formal retirement.

The Sacred Storybook: Fighting a Fragmented Understanding of Scripture

by Tom Steffen

Summary:
This article presents a different approach to teaching the Bible, as “God’s sacred storybook” rather than a sacred textbook. It maintains that since most people lack Bible basics, there’s a need for the big picture, linking the entire story of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation.

Author:
Tom Steffen, D.Miss., is Professor of Intercultural Studies and Director of the Doctor of Missiology Program at the School of Intercultural Studies at Biola University. He served 20 years with New Tribes Mission, 15 of those in the Philippines. Dr. Steffen has authored several books and articles on missions and cross cultural issues.

A Theology of Global Missions

by Bill Peed

Summary:
It is vital to have a proper theology of missions, this article maintains, and it therefore covers the components of such a theology, the missiological implications, and the outcomes for intercultural ministry.

Author:
Bill Peed, Ph.D., is the Global Ministry Program Director at Bethany Bible College in New Brunswick. Previously, Dr. Peed served as a missionary with Global Partners in Zambia, where he developed his interests in cross-cultural communication, theology of mission, and ministry effectiveness.

Local-Global Mission: The Cutting Edge

by Sherron George

Summary:
In the context of changing views on mission, there is a need for new thinking on the intercultural ministry of the church. This article proposes a model that is both local and global, carried out in full partnership, in a way that involves all congregations.

Author:
Sherron George, D.Min., is the regional liason and theological education consultant for South America, Worldwide Ministries Division of the Presbyterian Church (USA). She has been a missionary, itinerant Christian education consultant, and professor of evangelism and missions. Dr. George currently resides in Brazil, where she is a “feet-on-the-ground missionary-missiologist consultant” and author of books in Spanish, English, and Portuguese.

The Benefits of Short-Term Mission Outreaches

by Matthew Runion

Summary:
How can short-term mission (STM) outreaches have a positive impact on all involved? Here we have several suggestions, from the perspectives of the goers, the senders and the receivers, for ways to make this a beneficial experience for everyone.

Author:
Matthew Runion, M. Div., is Assistant Campus Pastor and Director of Student Missions Project at Bethel University. He also is secretary on the Steering Committee for the Fellowship of Short-Term Mission Leaders. He has served in church pastoral roles, youth ministry and college residence life.

Concerns Regarding Short-Term Missions

by Jim “Umfundisi” Lo

Summary:
Are there disadvantages to short-term missions? This is a frank discussion of several issues that need to be honestly faced in sending well-meaning but inexperienced people to another culture.

Author:
Jim Lo, Ph.D., is Dean of Campus Ministries and Campus Pastor at Bethel University. He holds degrees in intercultural studies, ministerial education and practical theology. Dr. Lo has published widely in the intercultural field, and was a missionary in Southern Africa and Cambodia for approximately 14 years. He has been extensively involved in church planting, theological education, and leading short-term mission groups to countries around the world.

Toward a Theology of Mission Partnerships

by Charles Van Engen

Summary:
This article presents a theology of mission partnership, based on biblical principles. It addresses the motivations, agencies, means and goals of this endeavor, and how all of this should work together for the mission of the global church.

Author:
Charles (Chuck) Van Engen, Ph.D., is Professor of Biblical Theology of Mission in the School of Intercultural Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. Previous to this position he was a missionary in Mexico (where he was born of missionary parents), a professor of missiology and president of the General Synod of the Reformed Church in America. Dr. Van Engen has written many books, including Communicating God’s Word in a Complex World.

International Partnerships in Ministry: An Overview

by Norm Wilson

Summary:
There are many compelling reasons for partnering in international ministries, and this article elaborates on them, while also providing models for effective partnerships and practical steps to make it happen.

Author:
Norm Wilson, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor of Intercultural Studies at Indiana Wesleyan University. He holds degrees in theology and educational studies, and previously was a pastor, a missionary in Latin America, and an administrator at Houghton College and at the Wesleyan Church headquarters. He has written numerous articles on intercultural issues.

Globalization and the Support of Nationals

by David Lundy

Summary:
It is essential to have a biblical basis for support of nationals, especially given the globalization of missions and the church. This article proposes doing this in a way that builds up all those involved, appreciates diversity, and maintains stewardship.

Author:
David Lundy, Ph.D., is the International Director of Arab World Ministries. Prior to this
position, he was a pastor, missionary in India, and director of Operation Mobilization Canada. He has written several books, including Servant Leadership for Slow Learners and Borderless Church: Reshaping the Missional Church for the Twenty-First Century.

7 Mistakes Partners Make and How to Avoid Them

by Daniel Rickett

Summary:
Every intercultural ministry can benefit from an honest review of their mistakes. Here we have a very practical explanation of common mistakes, with “remedies” for each one.

Author:
Daniel Rickett, Ph.D., is Vice President of International Ministries with Sisters in Service, Inc. He holds degrees in intercultural communications and adult education, and previously was the Director of Research at Geneva Global, Director of Partner Development for Partners International, and Associate Professor at Eastern University. Dr. Rickett served with PI in Africa and has worked for many years with international ministries on organizational and ministry effectiveness.

Singles and Muslims: What Can Women Do?

by Miriam Adeney

Summary:
This article opens with a provocative question, which reaches beyond the Muslim world – what is the role of single women missionaries in intercultural ministry? The answer is based on an understanding of history and culture – both essential features to study in any examination of this topic.

Author:
Miriam Adeney, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Global and Urban Ministries at Seattle Pacific University. She holds degrees in anthropology and journalism, and mentors Christian writers in other countries, with particular focus on Southeast Asia and Latin America. Dr. Adeney is a visiting professor at many universities around the world, and has authored over 100 articles and several books, including God’s Foreign Policy and Daughters of Islam.

Cultural Chameleon: Contextualization From a Pauline Perspective

by Larry Poston

Summary:
Using the Apostle Paul as a model, we see how Christians should accommodate to the cultures around them, without sacrificing their religious beliefs. Although not without risk, this can be a very effective way to minister.

Author:
Larry Poston, Ph.D., is Professor of Religion and Chair of the Department of Missiology and Religion at Nyack College. He holds degrees in missiology and comparative religious studies, and previously was a missionary to Sweden, where he was Professor of Missions and Church History at the Nordic Bible Institute. He is the author of numerous articles, and his books include The Changing Face of Islam in America.