{"id":9464,"date":"2018-06-20T17:55:44","date_gmt":"2018-06-20T14:55:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/?p=9464"},"modified":"2018-06-20T18:00:46","modified_gmt":"2018-06-20T15:00:46","slug":"culture-shock-and-conflict-12-truths-new-missionaries-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sukofamily.org\/culture-shock-and-conflict-12-truths-new-missionaries-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Culture Shock and Conflict 12 Truths New Missionaries Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

Over a decade ago as a new missionary on the field I had little idea of what culture shock or culture conflict really meant. I thought it was probably something others experience but not me. “Things might be a little different here,” I thought, “but what’s the big deal?”<\/p>\n

Looking back I realize now that it is a big deal. The gap between cultures and world-views can produce some pretty nasty side effects. Assumed motivations, unsaid expectations, misunderstood actions, they are rocks beneath a calm surface that can shipwreck your ministry and damage your soul.<\/p>\n

Before I start let me be clear about we’re talking about. I use two terms to describe the problems often created by the differences between cultures: culture shock and culture conflict.<\/p>\n

Culture shock<\/h3>\n

This is the negative side effect that the missionary feels as a result of the differences in culture. It may appear as frustration, depression, loneliness, guilt, tiredness, disgust with host culture, or even infatuation with host culture. Culture shock may not be sudden, it may be quiet and it may not always be noticed by others. Culture shock may occur early on but most likely will occur some months in. Culture shock isn’t always recognized at first.<\/p>\n

Culture conflict<\/h3>\n

This is the negative side effects in the missionaries relationships with people from the host culture. It may appear as disagreements, misunderstandings, different approaches to ministry, unsaid expectations, disappointment with people, and other social problems.<\/p>\n

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12 truths to navigate cultural differences<\/h2>\n

Let’s get started and look at a few truths that I have learned along the way and that might help you find your way through the realities of a new culture.<\/p>\n

Truth #1<\/h4>\n

The most difficult thing is to clearly see your own culture<\/h4>\n

We’re all pretty blind to our own culture until another culture comes along and gives us something to contrast our home culture with. While you might be blind to your own culture those from another culture aren’t. They will quickly notice strange things you do and say.<\/p>\n

A good example of this is how we often don’t notice some of the defects in our own home. Maybe you have a room that needs some paint on it, maybe you have some trim that you never got around to putting up after a remodel, maybe you have a door or two that don’t quite close properly. If you don’t take care of those things right away you’ll soon hardly notice them at all. You may even live for years with an unfinished remodel because you have grown used to it.<\/p>\n

However, if you invite a guest over who has never been in your house before, those little defects will stand out like a sore thumb.<\/p>\n

The same is true for culture, what you may not even give a conscious thought to will be so obvious and strange to others that they can’t help but notice!<\/p>\n

Truth #2<\/h4>\n

Being aware of other cultures is an important first step<\/h4>\n

Because we are often so blind to our own culture many people don’t even realize that they live within a unique context with unique habits, traditions, and ways of thinking. It’s important that you become aware of other cultures. Learning to take notice of them will help you realize that you live in a world with many cultures and your own culture is just one small part of this world.<\/p>\n

Being aware of other cultures also helps you become more aware of your own culture. As you see differences in those cultures you can then look at your own culture with a new perspective.<\/p>\n

Truth #3<\/h4>\n

Admitting that my culture isn’t necessarily the best culture is the next step<\/h4>\n

One question I often receive as a missionary is “Isn’t it better in America?” That’s an uncomfortable question to answer. To be honest, I love my home country and I love many aspects of its culture, but I can’t really say it’s “better” after all the USA has its own set of sins and problems.<\/p>\n

Cultural humility is vital for missionaries. Without it you’re bound to preach the gospel of your culture instead of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Your home culture is probably more comfortable to you, more understandable and likely more preferable. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s better than other cultures.<\/p>\n

Like all aspects of humanity, culture is also affected by the fall in Genesis 3. That means that every culture has good and evil aspects in it. Learn to look at different cultures not as better and worse but as having different problems than your home culture. Learn to admit that your home culture has problems too.<\/p>\n

Truth #4<\/h4>\n

Understand that there are two reactions to a new culture<\/h4>\n

People react differently to new cultures so this one depends on your specific personality. In general there are two reactions.<\/p>\n