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Critical Review
In the Christian Intercultural Communication: Sharing God’s Love with People of Other
Cultures authored by Ashley Chang and Tim Chang. This book has offered the readers the
opportunity to receive assistance regarding successful intercultural communication. I appreciate
that this book adores Jesus Christ and everything he has done. Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price
by giving his life for our sins. Before Jesus Christ ascended to heaven, he commanded his disciples
to spread the word of God and create disciples across all nations. Jesus Christ had the authority to
make that command, and he continues to have the authority now. This book provides those doing
the work of God the tools and resources needed to overcome various challenges they will
encounter when spreading the word of God to those from different backgrounds. The book shows
how different cultures can relate to one God. John 3:16 states,“For God so loved the world, that he
gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” Although
cultures may use different verbal and nonverbal communication, putting God first, accepting
cultural differences, conflict resolution, understanding cultural values, and contextualization allow
us to have a love for the same God.
Engagement
Putting God First
Putting God first must be the first decision someone must make for effective Christian
intercultural communication. Jesus Christ provided us a guide on how to show love towards one
another. 1 Peter 4:8 states, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a
multitude of sins.” Having a genuine love for each other will allow us to take the time to
understand each other. As a Christian leader, I have learned how to communicate effectively with
others. Using terminology everyone understands will create an environment of shared
understanding in the ministry.
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Accept Cultural Differences
Accepting cultural differences allows the individual or group to flourish due to the
broadening of their influence. The best leaders can understand that there is more than one way to
accomplish the same goal. Proverbs 21:21 states,“Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness
will find life, righteousness, and honor. Regardless of where someone comes from, all believers in
Jesus Christ understand the value of doing the word of God. Accepting other cultures enhances the
individual's knowledge base. People who accept another culture are better equipped to
communicate a message without offending the other culture. Missionaries of Jesus Christ
understand how important, accepting cultural differences can be to their ministry.
Conflict Resolution
Conflict is a normal part of life in a ministry, like in other places. It would be unrealistic to
believe that all people will agree on everything all the time. People from different cultures must
learn to implement strategies to resolve issues of conflict if they occur. Matthew 18:19 states,
“Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them
by my Father in heaven.”Effectively successful communication can help build better cross-cultural
relationships, which can, in turn, help in better conflict resolution and adaptation.1 Successfully
resolving conflicts help ensure that we as Christians can interculturally communicate in ministry.
Understanding Cultural values
Our values as a culture show other cultures what we view as important. Understanding
what other cultures value can help with communication because we can discuss topics deemed
significant to other cultures. We are more receptive to others when they are spoken to respectively.
Understanding cultural values also consider what topics are appropriate for conversation based on
cultural values in a culture’s social environment.2 Matthew 6:24 states,“No one can serve two
1 Tim Chang, and Ashley E. Chang, Christian Intercultural Communication : Sharing God’s Love with People of Other
Cultures, (Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall Hunt Publishing, 2021): 43
2 Tim Chang, and Ashley E. Chang,GChristian Intercultural Communication : Sharing God’s Love with People of Other
4
masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and
despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” Regardless of the culture, someone comes
from, our love for God should not change.
Contextualization
Putting information in a way that helps people understand is a great skill. God wanted us to
spread the Gospel to the nations from all over the world. Christian leaders must learn to articulate
the Gospel that everyone can understand. Isaiah 61:1 states, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon
me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up
the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who
are bound.” We must work on conveying a message to our ministry so that everyone is onboard on
fulfilling the word of God.
Impact to Ministry
The references mentioned in the previous paragraph positively impact the ministry by
nurturing a culture that maintains an attitude of respect. Matthew 7:12 states, “So whatever you
wish that others would do to you, also do to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Respect is
given to those who also show respect. As leaders in our ministry, we must also treat others as
Christ treated the people during his time on Earth. Understanding someone’s culture is a simple yet
effective way to ensure that you respect what another person deems as respect. As previously
mentioned, my church consists of people from all walks of life. My ministry welcomes all who
would like to attend. Inviting people from different backgrounds requires my ministry to provide
different resources that would allow the members to reach the same goal. For example, my church
provides a ministry for those whose primary language is not English, which is Spanish. While
integrating into the American culture, they can attend the Spanish ministry until they are
Cultures, (Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall Hunt Publishing, 2021): 45.
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comfortable attending other ministries within the church. The best part about bilingual ministries is
that it assist in ensure that the church receives the same word of God.
My ministry implements the references they find similarities in the members.
Understanding how we are different can prevent our members from disrespecting one another, but
what we share in common is what brings us together. In this case, it is our love for our Lord and
savior, Jesus Christ. John 14:21 states, “Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is
who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest
myself to him.” Intercultural communication is becoming a vital part of life. Here in America, we
are already considered the world's melting pot. As time progresses forward and technology
continues to evolve. Communicating with those who live thousands of miles away from America
will become easier. This is fantastic for believers in Christ. My ministry took advantage of the
influence technology held during the pandemic. We used technology and our multicultured
members to connect to those around the world to ensure that we were able to spread the word of
God to those in most need. Philippians 4:19 states, “And my God will supply every need of yours
according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” When we work together, we can achieve all of the
great workings God wanted us to possess. Matthew 28:18-20 states, “Go therefore and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy
Spirit.” This book has allowed me to research the future of my ministry to see where I can better
implement strategies that will improve how the members of my ministry receive and spread the
word of God.
Bibliography
