Cross-Cultural Ministry - Assignment Example

Cross-cultural ministry Cultural values Option 1 The week-long trip to México with the aim of building a church is a great idea for Michelle and his peers. It is worth noting that all the programs are perfect as arranged and it is for this reason that my spouse and I have decided to join in the trip as chaperons. Based on what I leaned in a cross-cultural ministry course in Oklahoma Christian, I have certain concerns about certain aspects of this project and I am obliged to put in my expertise in order to ensure that the project runs smoothly without any hiccups. One major concern is the fact that to even a single native will be involved in the construction. This was a great idea especially because it ensured that the participants of the initiative had minimal interaction with the locals. To an extent, this idea would be helpful in maintaining the focus of the participants. However, when looked at as a long term effect, this scheme does more harm than good. I am for the idea that at least a couple of locals should be involved in the construction process of the church (Lane 78). It is noteworthy that the essence of building the church is promoting Christianity in the region. As a matter of fact, a church is meant to welcome all, both Christians and non-Christians. Owing to the fact that this church was being built for the locals of México, it was important to incorporate them in both the planning and the building processes. It is only through this that the locals would feel like their efforts were needed towards the building of the church. Actually, this would make the locals accept and attend the church more as compared to when they are left out in the building process. For this reason, from my expertise, I would suggest that some locals be involved in not just the planning but also the building of the church. Another pertinent issue in this project is the purchase of the deliverables needed to complete the project. It is a really great idea for the planning board to arrange for the purchase of construction materials back in the United States of America before the team sets off to México. This is important in ensuring that project quality is maintained. In addition, this is also aimed at avoiding the complications that might be involved in cross-cultural business transactions. However, I am of the idea that at least some materials should be purchased locally in México. It is important to note that would feel much more attached to church and involved in its construction if some components and materials are purchased locally. That notwithstanding, this would promote local businesses and enrich the local residents. I am also concerned with the fact that the participants of the project are not allowed to mingle freely with the local Mexicans. There is always the perception that Americans are more superior as compared to Mexicans. There is always the notion that the United States of America is a land full of opportunities and it is for this reason that Mexicans migrate to USA in search of greener pastures. I have barely heard of Americans migrating into México in search of greener pastures. For this reason, alienating the participants of the project from local Mexicans would look like distancing them from the project. This would subsequently affect the level of acceptance of the church amongst the locals. Additionally, this alienation it bound to make Mexicans and other locals feel like the participants of the project look down upon them and would thus make them feel inferior to the participants (Lupton 97). Therefore, the participants of the project should be allowed to mingle freely with the local Mexicans in order to enhance a wide acceptance of the church amongst the local dwellers of the region. Option 2 As a member of the panning committee to the trip and an expert in cross-cultural ministry, there are some concerns that I would share with the committee in order to be a positive influence towards helping the victims of the hurricane that occurred in St. Jude. One of the key issues I would address as a committee member is the fact that besides material help, the victims of the hurricane in St. Jude should be moral support (Johnson 122). This is as a result of the fact that most victims of the incident were traumatized not just because they lost their homes but also because some of them lost family members and friends in the tragedy. For this reason, material support alone would not be sufficient in wiping their tears. I would suggest that besides material support, the victims of the tragedy are subjected to counseling therapy as a way of helping them go through the trying times. This can be made possible by involving counselors and other therapists in the team that would be leaving for St. Jude to offer assistance and help the locals back on their feet again. That notwithstanding, doctors too can be involved in the mission to try and bring back normalcy in the troubled city of St. Jude. Another important issue that I would ask the planning committee to address is the fact that the young adult ministry and the disaster relief ministry should purchase important deliverables like clothing, blankets and mattresses as well as food that they would carry with them to St. Jude. This is because these are the immediate assistance the victims of the hurricane need. After having their homes and houses swept by the wind, it is almost certain that they are spending nights in the cold and the immediate assistance they will need is things that would keep them warm and protect them from contracting cold-related illnesses. Therefore, the team should not focus on money alone and should consider seeking assistance on how to purchase these deliverables (Johnson 132). Lastly, the assistance of the church alone is not enough to help an entire community back on its feet after a terrible hurricane like the one that occurred in St. Jude. Adams Avenue church may not be in a position to offer sufficient assistance that would completely help the victims of the tragedy. For this reason, I would suggest to the planning committee to involve other stakeholders in the program. Some of these stakeholders would include well wishers and government agencies in charge of disaster management. It is only through this that the vulnerable victims of the St. Jude hurricane can get all the help they need in order to get on their fit an live a normal life again. I have neither given information to nor received information from any other member of this class in the course of working on this take-home exam. (signed) Works Cited Johnson, Jean. We are not the hero. New York: Ace Books, 2011. Lane, Patty. A Beginner's Guide to Crossing Cultures: Making Friends in a Multicultural World. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002. Lupton, Robert D. Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (and How to Reverse It). New York, NY: HarperOne, 2011. Print. Read More