GLST650_INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATIONS BOOK ASSIGNMENT
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INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATIONS BOOK ASSIGNMENT
LIBERTY UNIVERSITY
GLST650_D03_202340
JA’NELLE BRAZZLE
NOVEMBER 2023
1
CONTEXT
REVIEW AND THESIS…………3
FIVE INTERCULTURAL LESSONS ……4
CULTURAL SHOCK…………………..5
GODLY FOCUS………………………7
CONTEXTULIZATION
MANAGING CONFLICT
WHEN TO LET GO
BIBLIOGRAPHY
2
REVIEW AND THESIS
Dr. Tim Chang and his wife Ashley Chang composed a very interesting theory in their
book, Christian Intercultural Communication: Sharing Gods Love with People and other
Cultures’ which causes one to first take a strong look at themselves before entering ministry, also
deciding to provide ministerial support to other communities.
In Chang’s thesis he implies that
someone who is seeking to provide a cross-cultural ministry should look within the faith and
biblical tools before declaring themselves to be equipped to emulate the message which Jesus
Christ gave to the world.
I found this book to be very emotional to read and very encouraging as well as a minister,
a mother, and a servant of God. As a mother the importance of finding balance in day-to-day life
while teaching my children how to love God, worship, pray, fast, seek, and live a healthy human
experience. As a mother who has lost a child through death and still having children to parent
and show restraint, lead spiritually, and show faith through grief. As a minister with the desire to
show the love of Christ and walk in truth, I often found it very emotional at first because as my
eyes were opened spiritually as a prophet, I began to see the filth and the fault that not only lay
awake in the world but lay very much alive in the church. As a minister in the church, it was hard
for me, and I was rejected because I chose not to follow the rules of man but chose to follow the
rules of God which have been set before us biblically and spiritually. I learned that not everyone
had the same desire and mission, and I was not a ‘do I say’ kind of minister, rather a ‘do as God
says’. I became very angry at the lack of support from those who claimed to walk in the same
3
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faith as I have. This book is powerful and will teach someone who had to endure the hardship
that I have had to endure both spiritually and naturally why it is important to ‘stay the course’
and remain faithful to the call of God. This book will also help new converts, seekers, and
ministers how to understand their purpose and how to share the gospel with others even as they
are learning themselves.
FIVE INTERCULTURAL LESSONS
Throughout this book Dr. Chang continuously is very transparent and shares his own
testimony of his ministerial growth and journey. His stance in this book was very humble and he
tells the reader the mistakes that were made in his walk of faith and realization, he spoke of times
of uncertainty and when he questioned himself and God, and uncovered many parts of himself to
help the reader to understand that to have some type of era is not to be looked at as bad, but good
as long as you stay in the race.
This book is packed with lessons and not enough space to write them all so I will choose
the five which I feel are most important in the beginning of any ministry when attempting to
reach a culture outside of ones own,
1.
Cultural Shock- learning how to embrace the shock.
2.
Put God first- it’s important to maintain a Godly Focus
3.
Contextualization -realization and relation, finding ways to convey the message.
4.
Managing conflict- how to navigate through ministry and problem solve without
damaging.
5.
Leave before it’s too late – having the wisdom to know when to let go.
4
CULTURAL SHOCK
Many times, in ministry we find ourselves in places which are unfamiliar to us, and we
need to know how to adapt. In America we do not have to leave the country to experience
different cultures. They are in our neighborhood, our stores, workplaces, schools, they are
everywhere we turn. Each has their own systems, beliefs, customs, religious practices. I learned
in ministry how important it is to listen and be still when embracing someone from another
culture, and I also learned that intercultural does not have be seen as someone outside of your
own race, people can look the same and still be so different based on their environment and
background. In ministry it is wise to stay unbiased and open to many possibilities. When I grew
up, I always seen the preachers’ wearing robes which looked to be very hot and uncomfortable to
wear, I always wondered why they just didn’t wear normal clothing like those of us in our
community would wear, when I came into the church in the 2000’s I saw many fancy hats,
clothing, and robes. The people would go out to minister in these outfits, they also condemned
those who came into the church who didn’t ‘look the part’, this bothered me. I was one who
came from the what is called the ‘outside’, I watched many people turn away from the church
because they were different, I asked friends to come to church and watched as they were treated
differently, this angered me because this is not what I thought Christ represented but those in the
church were comfortable making others uncomfortable and feel low about themselves.
One Sunday the pastor said that after church we would have street service and that some
would be appointed to go door to door and minister. I was the one with the group who was
chosen to go door to door. This was my first time doing anything with or outside of the church in
my city where I am well known. Being that I am very different, I know and understand that many
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of the people who looked at as so called ‘Street’ knew the bible way better than many in the
church, we would get drunk and high and have powerful spiritual conversations and encounters
which led to tears (to many to explain here). The first house we came upon was Miss Cherries
house, she was the blocks momma, she was also well known in our community for her past of
violence and drugs. In some sense when I look back on it, I feel that certain ones in my group
targeted her house because before we started, they were adamant about claiming that house first.
We entered the house and Miss Cherry looked me right in the eye, I wasn’t a minister at that
time, so I was to be silent as the ladies spoke. Their approach seemed more like an attack, and I
could feel the atmosphere shift. Some were talking about cleanliness Miss Cherry didn’t have
fancy things in her home and to them it was clutter, some were talking about getting right with
God, and Miss Cherry wanted to know how they figured she didn’t have a relationship with God.
I felt so bad because clearly these women were culturally shocked and didn’t know how to
embrace it, it seemed that they had been in the church so long they forgot what it was like before.
I could see the look in Miss Cherries (Cher Thomas) face and I began to speak, and by speaking I
acknowledged Miss Cherries relationship with God and how she helped me and how God uses
her each day for each of us out here in the street, how she was a safe haven for many, I told her
that God had great plans for her and that he wanted to use her gifts to reach many more, than we
prayed. While leaving the house she hugged me tight and said thank you when I see her again,
she spoke of the encounter and told me God was going to use me outside of the church as he has
today. It wasn’t in the fancy clothes which touched Miss Cherries’ heart it was in the normalcy
and the message of love through love. Even though these women were of the same race they
were still shocked culturally and not equipped to minister outside the four walls of the church.
6
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Today I find more and more people turning to alternatives because there is no relation
within the church, nobody looks like them or nobody understands them. I always say that the
remnant of God is coming from the street and the world, the church won’t recognize them
because they look to worldly, they worship different, they speak another spiritual language. I
truly believe today that the real ones who will have the cultural shock is those in the church
because they have not yet learned to shift with the movement and spirit of God.
GODLY FOCUS
It is so important that we maintain our relationship with God. I see so many people who
start out right, turn left. They start out having conviction and on the right path with the idea of
pleasing God, but those prejudices which have been instilled in them take over. Those doctrines
which have been taught to them take over and stop their mission before it even starts. Now I
have seen many ministers move but they have no real impact, they move in the wrong spirit.
There are so many who read the same bible but do not agree, many who claim to have the Holy
spirit but don’t get revelation. I believe that is because many who claim to have the Spirit just
walk in the Spirit of what they are taught, everything has a language, everything has a tongue.
To be successful in ministry, reaching our in the intercultural community, your prejudices
should go away, you should seek understanding from God about every individual you meet, it is
important to stay open to the guidance of the Holy spirit. It’s not hard when you make it a
lifestyle of putting God First. But if you are the kind of person who thinks they already know
everything then you block the message for above. It is important to stay open to God always seek
first to do kingdom work and God will always back you and go before you. The bible says,
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“SEEK FIRST” the kingdom of heaven and all will be added to you; “But seek ye first the
kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Mathew
6:33 kjv). The word implies that we Seek, meaning to ask, look for, to listen, and to hear. The
word All implies that everything we see from God will be answered and shown, we will be
equipped for the task and assignment. Chang expressed in his book that being a Christian must
and will always be centered around Christ. It is important that we remember that Christ is the
Focus and not our own recognition or agenda.
CONTEXTUALIZATION
Chang coined in the word contextualization in a way that made me thinks even, as “a
practice where missionaries become one with the local people.’ He said that the way to do this is
eating their food and wearing their clothing. I do agree to some extent because I have seen many
in ministry over do it and lose focus. They offended the people. I have noticed that they do not
mind us eating their food, but when it seems like we are trying to be them or mock them there is
a problem there. I would say that this stage of contextualization comes further along when
dealing with cultures, making sure you are respected and known amongst them, kind of if like
being initiated, then you can effectively initiate them by using the understand of their culture in
context with the Gospel. Other than that, I would stick what you know until you have spent
enough time with them while doing missionary work.
MANAGING CONFLICT
Being on the mission field can be hit and miss, just as I explained in contextualization. One false
move or misunderstanding can set the whole thing off in smoke. If you are working with other
missionaries, make sure that the conflicts within the group are kept out of sight of those that you
8
are ministering to. We don’t always agree with each other’s tactics, but you do not want to show
discord because you will lose the respect of those you are trying to reach, they won’t understand
the issues. Chang wrote that such conflict could reflect outside the ministry, if we cannot get
along with the people, we work with how do we expect to get along with those we minister to.
Isaiah chapter 1 verse 18(kjv) says; ‘Come let us reason together, says the Lord’. Meaning let us
‘Consider” your options. Even God understood this. Let’s look at Abraham and Lot when God
said he would burn up Sodom. Abraham kept asking God questions and giving scenarios and
God did consider. Let’s look at the people of Israel, always trying to do their own thing and God
continuously considered options with them. When we are out in the field it is important that we
understand that each of us are individuals from different backgrounds who chose to come
together for one specific mission, and it is important that we do not allow personal issues to get
in the way. That we maintain a Godly focus, we do not cause discord among the group through
gossip, and that we strive everyday to stay on a Godly path. My favorite scriptures for life and
ministry come out of Galatians, it is the foundation which I even teach my children.
Galatians chapter 5 verses 16-18; ‘16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not
gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the
Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They conflict with each other, so that you are not to do
whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.”
Galatians chapter 5 verses 19-21; ‘19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual
immorality, impurity, and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits
of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I
warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.’
9
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Galatians chapter 5 verses 22-25 is how we should live every day, its not always easy but
if we keep in mind these verses it is possible to train yourself to walk the right path and stay on
it.
Verses 22-25 says, ‘22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no
law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited,
provoking and envying each other.
If we stay the course and stand on the word, we can defeat conflict.
WHEN TO LET GO
In my personal perspective, letting go is not an option. Yet I do understand what Chang
mentioned here. Sometimes backing up for a while is important and then coming back to the
mission. Knowing when you have made a mistake and are in conflict of losing the people before
damage occurs, that is wisdom. Sometimes you lose passion or need a break like Chang
mentioned of his friend who felt he needed to go home. His friend felt he had to stay because of
the beliefs of the other missionaries, but in his heart, he felt he didn’t belong. You must know
when an assignment is not for you. Many try and put their hands in every pot but do more harm
than good that is why we must place God as our center focus and follow the guidance of the
Holy spirit not other. Sometimes your assignment there is up and sometimes it is not your
assignment at all. The scripture I love for this is.
1
st
Corinthians chapter 3 verses 5-9, ‘5 What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul?
Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I
10
planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. 7 So neither the one who
plants nor the one who waters are anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one
who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according
to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s
building.’
1
st
Corinthians chapter 3 verses 10-11, ‘10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a
foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with
care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.’
Keep the focus, know your place, therefore you won’t fail. Seeing to share the Gospel in
a cross-cultural setting we are going to have some ups and downs. Its important that we follow
the leading of the spirit of God so that we don’t cause damage and lose the people. Don’t give
up, don’t as Chang phrased it as Walking away…. but know when your time is up.
11
Bibliography
Chang, C.Tim Chang. Ashley E. Christian Intercultural Communication. Sharing
God's Love the People of Other Cultures. Dubuque: Liberty University Online Bookshelf
12
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