Chapter 17Cross-cultural Communication

The Place of Culture in CommunicationCommunication always takes place within a particular cultureMissionaries, however, constantly deal with cross-cultural communication and the issues it raises

The Place of Context in CommunicationContext is anything that people share that binds them togetherWe all belong to many contexts at one timeMissionaries vary their message depending on the contextTheir goal: identification with the receptor group either byFinding a common contextIdentifying with the context they enter

Principles of ContextThe message must be presented personally to the listenerIdentify with the listener so they are motivated to listenFind common ground so they value the messageSpeak from the listeners point of view so it makes senseCommunicate based on terms and ideas which the listener understandsMeeting all the above principles increases the possibility of a positive response to the message

How to CommunicateCommunication is always happening, some is just unclear or ambiguous issue is clarityCommunication takes place in the receivers mind so the principles of context must be appliedThe listener is working toward balance so we must minimize ambiguityCope with listener Screening

Breaking Through ScreensSelective Attention get the listener in a context where giving attention to you is expected (formal preaching, informal lunch together)Selective Exposure They smile and nod, but arent listening. Communicate dialogically, dramatically, multi-sensory.Selective Perception Maintain correctness in spite of your convincing argument to contrary. Personal encounter of Gods presence and power.

Body LanguageParalanguage tone, pitch, tempoFacial expression smile, frown, surprise, etc.Body position open or closed posture, arm and hand movements and gestures, body movement or station (sit, stand, walk)Personal space touching or non-touching cultures

Components of Communication

Listening to CommunicateLevels of Active ListeningAdvisingEvaluatingComfortingProbingParaphrasingThe most important to use is paraphrasing

Communicating With ImpactPersonal and dialogical tuned by feedbackCommon ground identified between speaker and receptorCredible witness character proven by relationshipIllustrated from the receptors life settingAdvocating life change

Avoiding ManipulationPrestige sell parading stars from the culture who have converted to ChristYet Patrick won clan chiefs first, and the clan converted as a matter of courseBandwagon everybody is doing itYet multi-individual conversions are commonCard-stacking Tell only one side of the story prosperity doctrineAdopt Pauls position, I did not come to you with clever words

How People ChangeExposure to new knowledgeInternal evaluation and self-persuasionDecision to adopt or rejectReview and second-guess your decisionLive out decision in daily life