Changing Lanes, Crossing Cultures: Equipping Christians and Churches for Ministry in a Culturally Diverse Society

by Andrew Philip Schachtel, Choon-Hwa Lim, Michael Kenneth Wilson

Overview

Many countries are now extremely multi-ethnic. People from numerous overseas countries have made their homes in other countries, but they often have very little contact with Christians, and minimal understanding of the gospel. This book is about helping Christians and churches to understand the WHY, WHAT, HOW and WHEN of vibrant cross-cultural ministries, and to get involved.

"Changing Lanes, Crossing Cultures. Equipping Christians and churches for ministry in a culturally diverse society" is a very practical guide to cross-cultural ministry. Its three authors, Choon-Hwa Lim, Andrew Schachtel and Mike Wilson are all cross-cultural practitioners in Australia, with many years of experience between them. Although the book is written from an Australian background, the authors believe that much of it is applicable in a wide range of countries and situations.

Why "Changing Lanes"? There's an urgent need for Christians and churches to learn appropriate and effective new skills, and to change approaches and directions in how we do ministry. This book will help them to undertake the crucial, challenging but very rewarding process of changing lanes in an increasingly multicultural environment.

Changing Lanes, Crossing Cultures includes an examination of the biblical motivation for cross-cultural ministry, steps to overcome obstacles, practical information on how to get involved and many helpful anecdotes and case studies. Each section contains thought-provoking questions for reflection and discussion. It's written so that any person can pick it up and read it, or small-groups can study it over six sessions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780869010808
Publisher:	Great Western Press
Publication date:	11/21/2016
Pages:	198
Product dimensions:	5.83(w) x 8.27(h) x 0.42(d)

Table of Contents

LIST OF FIGURES

LIST OF TABLES

GLOSSARY

FOREWORD

PREFACE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

INTRODUCTION - Whom & what this book is for

CHANGING LANES

THE WHY

Module 1: The Unchanging Fuel: Biblical Motivation for Ministry across Cultures

Module 2: Changing Road Conditions: Ministry in an Ethnically Diverse Society

THE WHAT

Module 3: Changing Road Responses: Dealing with Hindrances to Ministry across Cultures

THE HOW

Module 4: Changing Driver Skills: Increasing your Cultural Intelligence and Skills

Module 5: Changing Road Management: The Importance of Leadership and Management for Ministry across Cultures

THE HOW & WHEN

Module 6: Changing the GPS: Where to from here?

CONCLUSION

APPENDIX A: Notes on Biblical Reflections

APPENDIX B: Facing the Demographic Reality

APPENDIX C: Evaluating where you are in your Cross-cultural Capabilities

APPENDIX D: Reaching the Second Generation for Jesus

APPENDIX E: Resources You Can Draw On

APPENDIX F: Reading List

Editorial Reviews

"Becoming a church that is intentional about and effective in reaching a
multicultural neighbourhood is a great but worthy challenge.
As a pastor trying to do that for my church, I found this book very helpful.
It will help you discern the issues of why you should or shouldn't do it and
provides you and your leaders with guidance on how to begin this journey
with the church and navigate them through the challenges that come with
it. I highly recommend this book to you if you are considering taking your
church down this path."
Winston Mah - Minister of Merrylands Presbyterian Church, Sydney

"Becoming a church that is intentional about and effective in reaching a
multicultural neighbourhood is a great but worthy challenge.
As a pastor trying to do that for my church, I found this book very helpful.
It will help you discern the issues of why you should or shouldn't do it and
provides you and your leaders with guidance on how to begin this journey
with the church and navigate them through the challenges that come with
it. I highly recommend this book to you if you are considering taking your
church down this path."
Winston Mah - Minister of Merrylands Presbyterian Church, Sydney

"A great resource for both raising awareness of the need for multi-cultural
ministry and for equipping workers, both professional and lay. A "why"
and "how" manual useful for both individuals and church groups."
Trish Bell - ESL ministries co-ordinator

"Three experienced practitioners have compiled an outstanding resource.
This insightful book is eminently practical, empowering its readers to
confidently negotiate the complex world of cross-cultural relationships.
If applied carefully and prayerfully, the concepts found here will be a
powerful catalyst for future change in the multi-ethnic Australian church. I
recommend it wholeheartedly."
Bernie Power - Lecturer at the Melbourne School of Theology

"This is a timely and important book. Valuable because the authors are all
highly experienced in the areas of cross-cultural ministry they write about.
Accessible, Biblical, and thoughtful, Changing Lanes, Crossing Cultures is
written for churches trying to understand the culturally diverse cities and
towns of Australia and looking for practical suggestions about how best to
respond in ministry and mission.
I pray that its prayerful and biblical approach to cross-cultural practice
and theory will generate innovative approaches to cross-cultural ministry
here in Australia."
Darrell Jackson - Senior Lecturer in Missiology, Morling College, Sydney

From the Publisher