Picturing Theology

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P i c t u r i n g T h e o l o g y

Empowering People for Freedom, Wholeness, and Justice (continued)

Implications • Development workers should understand the culture(s) and sub-culture(s) of the people they work with. Development workers should, first of all, gain a basic understanding of the nature of human culture and of strategies for developing effective cross-cultural training relationships. 7 They should gain the fundamental skills necessary for working in the cross-cultural environment (language acquisition, etc.). It is highly desirable for the development worker to have a mentor either from the culture or who is an experienced observer of the culture to assist in the training process. • The work environment should be functionally appropriate and aesthetically pleasing when viewed from the perspective of the culture(s) that work or do business there. All human cultures desire environments that combine functionality with beauty. There is significant variation, however, in how beauty and functionality are defined, prioritized and applied from one culture to another. The physical environment in which the development project occurs should take cultural concerns into account. • Development workers should be sensitive to how conflict is handled by the culture of the people they work among. Conflict is an inevitable part of working together. It can be a healthy opportunity for growth if handled correctly. Cultural differences, however, can sabotage the process of conflict management. The development worker must take cultural attitudes toward directness/indirectness, shame/guilt, individualism/collectivism, etc. seriously and adapt their conflict management style to reflect those concerns. They must also take seriously their responsibility to prepare people from sub-cultures to work within the dominant culture. • Development workers should be sensitive to roles or work that is considered degrading by the culture. Although all honest work carries dignity before God, cultural perceptions of role and status have tremendous power to shape attitudes. Whenever possible, work should be chosen that is not repugnant to the culture.

7 Basic resources for gaining an understanding of culture include The Missionary and Culture (Cornett 1991), Beyond Culture (Hall 1976), Christianity Confronts Culture (Mayers 1974), Ministering Cross-Culturally (Lingenfelter and Mayers 1986) and Cross-Cultural Conflicts: Building Relationships for Effective Ministry (Elmer 1993).