Cross-Cultural
6 Approaches to Contextualization in China
We know contextualization is important, but not everyone comes at it in the same way.
Training Cross-Cultural Workers to Cross Honor-Shame Cultures
How might Christians from one honor-shame culture effectively serve cross-culturally in another honor-shame culture?
Celebrating a Different Thanksgiving
I thought about those Thanksgivings this year as we contemplate the prospect of a very different Thanksgiving. Covid-19 might prevent us from having the usual gatherings of family or friends; the food may be different. Maybe this is the year to stop and tell a few people that we are thankful for them. And to thank God for them.
10 Quotes from Jesus, the Path to Human Flourishing by I’Ching Thomas
The presenter for our upcoming webinar, "How Relevant is the Gospel for the Chinese."
How Relevant Is the Gospel for the Chinese?
Among Cultural Chinese everywhere, the Christian faith is often perceived as a foreign or Western religion. Hence, many do not see how it is relevant for them. I’Ching Thomas talks about how to articulate the gospel in terms that are attractive and significant to our Cultural Chinese friends.
The Impact of Buddhism
Even When It Is More Cultural than Belief
In Asian culture, often anyone who is born in a Buddhist country is considered a Buddhist. It’s not uncommon for people with a strong family identity to consider their family and religion together.
Saving Face
In Chinese culture the concept of face is a very important part of social interaction and is specific to the group or family to which the person belongs.
Reciprocity—Goes Both Ways and Keeps on Going
Building relationships through sharing resources.
Guanxi
Or, Do I Have to Give Them Something to Make Friends?
When we lived in Asia, I was constantly asked for things and especially for money. Being a typical American, I was offended with their constant asking. I discovered later that asking for favors was a means of developing relationships.
The Importance of Filial Piety
Especially at a Distance
Our friends in Asia suspected that we did not want to take care of our family members, our parents in particular, and so we came to their country. They couldn’t understand that we had come for any other reason.