Chapter 17

Cross-cultural Communication

The Place of Culture in

Communication
Communication always takes place
within a particular culture
Missionaries, however, constantly deal
with cross-cultural communication and
the issues it raises

The Place of Context in

Communication
Context is anything that people share that
binds them together
We all belong to many contexts at one time
Missionaries vary their message depending
on the context
Their goal: identification with the receptor
group either by
Finding a common context
Identifying with the context they enter

Principles of Context
The message must be presented personally to the listener
Identify with the listener so they are motivated to listen
Find common ground so they value the message
Speak from the listeners point of view so it makes sense
Communicate based on terms and ideas which the listener
understands
Meeting all the above principles increases the possibility of
a positive response to the message

How to Communicate
Communication is always happening, some is
just unclear or ambiguous issue is clarity
Communication takes place in the receivers
mind so the principles of context must be
applied
The listener is working toward balance so
we must minimize ambiguity
Cope with listener Screening

Breaking Through Screens

Selective Attention get the listener in a context
where giving attention to you is expected (formal
preaching, informal lunch together)
Selective Exposure They smile and nod, but arent
listening. Communicate dialogically, dramatically,
multi-sensory.
Selective Perception Maintain correctness in spite
of your convincing argument to contrary. Personal
encounter of Gods presence and power.

Body Language
Paralanguage tone, pitch, tempo
Facial expression smile, frown, surprise,
etc.
Body position open or closed posture, arm
and hand movements and gestures, body
movement or station (sit, stand, walk)
Personal space touching or non-touching
cultures

Components of Communication
Word
meaning
7%
Facial and
body
movement
55%

Paralinguistic
Elements
38%

Listening to Communicate
Levels of Active Listening
Advising
Evaluating
Comforting
Probing
Paraphrasing
The most important to use is paraphrasing

Communicating With Impact

Personal and dialogical tuned by
feedback
Common ground identified between
speaker and receptor
Credible witness character proven by
relationship
Illustrated from the receptors life setting
Advocating life change

Avoiding Manipulation
Prestige sell parading stars from the culture who
have converted to Christ

Yet Patrick won clan chiefs first, and the clan converted as a
matter of course

Bandwagon everybody is doing it

Yet multi-individual conversions are common

Card-stacking Tell only one side of the story

prosperity doctrine
Adopt Pauls position, I did not come to you with clever
words

How People Change

Exposure to new knowledge
Internal evaluation and selfpersuasion
Decision to adopt or reject
Review and second-guess
your decision
Live out decision in daily life