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Textbook Critique: Final Paper
The Summary
The information in this paper is from the Article, The Role of Spiritual Development in
Cross-Cultural Reentry Adjustment of Missionaries (Kimber et al., 2012). The author of this
article is Thomas R. Kimber from Biola University. Thomas was a former missionary with
Evangelical Free Church of America and an Adjunct Professor at Talbot School of Theology. In
this article Kimber hypothesized there to be a significant relationship between the missionary’s
relationship with God and with their cultural adaption once they are reentered back into their
own culture. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between spiritual
growth and cultural reentry adjustment.
The researcher Thomas R. Kimber completed this study by conducting a survey. Six
missionary agencies were randomly selected to participate and invitations with an incentive to
reply were sent through the mail to 255 missionaries. With a 54% response rate, there were a
total of 125 responses while only 102 responses were usable. The researcher considered age, sex,
marital status, how long the missionaries were overseas, how long the missionaries had been
back home, as well as the status the missionaries returned home under. The researcher’s
questionnaire was a six-piece instrument. The original questionnaire involved these six areas,
Spiritual Assessment Inventory, Sociocultural Adaption Scale, Acculturation Index, Transition
Change Scale, Repatriation Preparedness Scale, Repatriation Distress scale. While later the
researcher added additional questions, experiences of calling, relationship with God, practicing
spiritual disciplines, being received home by their community.
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The results showed there is a correlation between having a relationship with God and
show it be a significant factor in the reentry adjustment of missionary’s lives. The article also
shows a link between the missionaries being called by God and them having a sense a
preparedness when they return from the mission field. The researcher found that missionaries
who were not returning home to a supportive community felt distressed, while missionaries who
had a good support system adjusted better. Feeling of disappointment and distress were linked to
an instable relationship with God. The researchers found that it would be helpful to provide
missionaries who are reentering the United States with recourses and to be aware of their
emotional needs (Kimber, 2012).
Critique
While this study does show a significant correlation to a relationship with God and a
smooth reentry transition, it does have its limitations. This Study was conducted of only 6
selected missionary agencies which does not allow other missionaries to be involved and proves
the study to be limited. This study also does not allow missionaries who were sent home early to
be involved which also shows the study to be limited.
From a biblical perspective this study does align with Gods desire to provide His children
with the peace and relationship God has promised His people. Throughout the Old testaments
God proves Himself to be near to His children. Even when they are in the wilderness due to their
own stubborn choices the Lord does not leave them. The Lord shows His faithfulness by feeding
them mana (ESV, Exodus 16:15). If Gods children would have taken Him at His word when He
told them He was giving them the promise land they would be enjoying the promise land in
relationship with God(ESV, Genisis 12:1). Just as the missionaries who did not embrace their
relationship with God and did not take Him at his word, they felt feelings of distress and feelings
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of fear, so did the Israelites. Do to fear and lack of relationship with God both of these groups of
people did not receive all the Lord had for them.
Overall, this study brings awareness to the resources that should be readily available to
missionaries returning home. This study also provides great encouragement to missionaries
returning home and offers a solution to those who are feeling fearfully and distressed about
reentering what they once knew as their community.
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Reference Page
English Standard Version Bible. (2001). ESV Online. https://esv.literalword.com/
Kimber, T. R. (2012). The Role of Spiritual Development in the Cross-Cultural Reentry Adjustment of
Missionaries. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 40(3), 211-219.
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/liberty.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-
journals/role-spiritual-development-cross-cultural-reentry/docview/1152080388/se-2
Sue, D. W., Sue, D., Neville, H. A., & Smith, L. (2022). Counseling the Culturally Diverse (9th ed.).
Wiley Professional Development (P&T).
https://libertyonline.vitalsource.com/books/9781119861911
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