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Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility is a book that
focuses on servanthood in a cross-cultural environment. Cross-cultural interactions are already
hard when you know nothing about the other cultures but when you come to serve someone from
another culture understanding their everyday behavior makes it even harder. The book describes
the step-to-step-process of servanthood in cross-cultural engagements such as missionary work.
Duane Elmer, author of Cross-Cultural Servanthood, explains the highs and lows of servanthood
and what we should do in these cross-cultural interactions.
The book is broken down into three parts: basic perspectives, the process, and the
challenges of servanthood. Part one is basic perspectives which explains the challenges of
servanthood and the humble path we must follow to be like Christ. Part two describes the process
of servanthood-being open, accepting others, building trust, learning new information that
changes the individual and their foundation, understanding others through their eyes, and
serving. The book closes with part three which talks about the challenges of servanthood: the
challenges in leadership, power, and mystery. Part three also closes with Joseph who experienced
all the challenges listed but still stayed true to his calling. 1
I think the most significant concept discussed in the book is the entirety of part two. It
states the process that you have to go through to be able to serve. But out of the whole process
there are three that are most important in my eyes: openness, acceptance, and understanding. I
believe being open and accepting goes hand in hand. Openness is the ability to welcome people
into your presence and make them feel safe.2 A verse that is stated and discussed in part two is
Luke 15:2, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”3 Jesus would eat and have
1 Elmer, Duane. 2009. Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility. Westmont, IL: IVP
Books.
2 Ibid.
3 Luke 15:2
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fellowship with sinners before they even repent. Him being open and accepting of sinners
allowed them to change for themselves and build a strong relationship.
Understanding is important especially in a cross-cultural engagement. Understanding is
the ability to see patterns of behavior and values that reveal the integrity of a people.4
Understanding another culture is being able to see how and why they behave in the manners they
do; it is the ability to see the big picture. If we do not understand someone or their culture
ultimately there will be some type of misunderstanding or friction caused. Not knowing the
principle behind another’s culture or actions will put a hold in an individual’s servanthood.
Because how can you serve someone who you do not understand?
The book, as a whole, states various different ways as of how it is relevant to Christian
cross-cultural engagements. The Bible talks about servanthood throughout the Bible and it is this
book’s main topic. Jesus was a servant when he walked upon this Earth and the Bible and this
book urges us to do the same. Matthew 20:28 states, “just as the Son of Man did not come to be
served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”5 Jesus was put on this earth to
serve and to be a sacrifice for all of us. The way God was brought up and served this world was
not by him being arrogant and or him acting like He was a God. Jesus was humble and showed
compassion for others. And he wanted us to serve just as he did. Elmer states in Chapter, “The
basic premise is that we have a model of true servanthood in Christ, but we must follow him in
his humble servant role, not in his Lord and Christ roles.”6
4 Elmer, Duane. 2009. Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility. Westmont, IL: IVP
Books.
5 Matthew 20:28
6 Elmer, Duane. 2009. Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility. Westmont, IL: IVP
Books.
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Learning and accepting are two concepts that can be applied to my work. I am in the
military, so I have come across many different backgrounds and cultures. Learning about the
different people and their backgrounds will show that I have respect for them and their culture.
Not knowing about a person’s culture can sometimes cause you to unintentionally disrespect
them or cause them to be uncomfortable in certain situations. For example, when I was deployed
to the Middle East you are told not to point because this is a sign of disrespect. By me learning
about the culture I was about to be submerged in it allowed me to avoid the behaviors that were
not accepted or looked down on. Accepting different cultures is very important in the military as
well because the Army is looked at as a big family and just because someone is different doesn’t
mean you should shy away from them or not accept them. At the end of the day, “it’s one team
one fight” and you have to accept everyone, differences and all, to achieve that goal.
Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility can be summed up
into one scripture:1 Peter 3:8, “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one
another, be compassionate and humble.”7 This was Elmer’s main themes throughout the book
when it came to servanthood. Elmer said for us to be open, accepting, able to learn,
understanding, and be humble while serving others. This book is a great tool for those who do
missionary work but also for those who meet people from different backgrounds every day. This
book should be use for anybody trying to serve and understand the different cultures they
encounter.
7 1 Peter 3:8
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