Liberty University

Elmers Book Report: Cross-Cultural Servanthood

Justin Douglas ID# 33698

ICST 650 B06 Dr. Fred Smith 06 February 2011

Elmers Book Report: Cross-Cultural Servanthood Serving in a cross-cultural setting has its share of challenges. Duane Elmer shares his personal experiences and the knowledge of others to guide the reader through the idea of being a better servant. His book is divided into three parts, basic perspectives, the process, and the challenges. These three sections allow the reader to fully understand what it means to evangelize in a cross-cultural setting. The call to be an effective missionary is a challenging one. This book serves as a roadmap to help those going into foreign places. The knowledge given in this missionary manual is sure to place the reader in an effective place. Basic Perspectives In summary this section is particular about the idea of humility. Harping on the arrogance that many missionaries tend to exude, these chapters expose how damaging that superior complex is to the evangelism that is the center of ones mission. It is a toxic mindset for one to believe they have all the answers or they can rescue these people by bringing their education and standards to them. Elmer shares a quote from a native that said, Missionaries could more effectively minister the gospel of Christ if they did not think they were so superior to us.1 Elmer later shares that he himself was very guilty of this same arrogant mindset, even if it was unconsciously done at time. There is a pride that can seep from those missionaries who believe, in a North American culture that often tells us we are the most powerful, the most technically advanced, the richest, the best educated, the leader of the free world, the2 Elmer makes it very clear that this attitude will create a great burden within ones missional mindset and goals.
1

Duane Elmer, Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility (Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP Books, 2006), 15.
2

Ibid, 17.

Within this book there are many great analogies, but none better then the towel and the robe. Elmer explains that the robe is an elegant and luxurious piece of clothing reserved for royalty and the towel is a symbol of servant-hood and the washing of feet. Jesus, the King of Kings, in washing his disciples feet he is taking the lowest position. It seems as if Jesus life was on a progression of sorts, a progression that seemed to continue to state, you think that was low, I have to go lower still. Elmer shares the story of the Mother who comes to Jesus with a request. The request is based around the idea that Jesus is creating a kingdom and in her selfishness she wants her children to be the most powerful within the coming kingdom. Her children of course are disciples and when the other disciples hear of this request they become frustrated because they want the high position in the coming kingdom. To this upper-class and exclusive mindset Jesus makes his purpose clear, Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave 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. (Matthew 20:26-28 NIV) One of the most profound quotes in Elmers book is, We are never more like Jesus than when we serve others.3 The monkey serves the fish is a story that reveals great wisdom. In essence the story is about a monkey who sees a fish during a storm, the fish is against the current and the monkey decides he wants to help. The monkey chooses to even take a risk to help the fish and climbs out on a limb. Next the monkey grabs the fish out of the water and brings the fish on shore with him. While the monkey had great and helpful intentions, he was responsible for the death of the fish. Elmer connects this story by saying, Others cant see our motives, only our actions, which

Ibid, 21.

become the basis for their impression of us.4 This section really does a great job of clearly communicating the proper attitude of a servant. The Process The first steps of the process are clearly communicated, and of the steps openness is very important. Openness is the ability to welcome people into your presence and make them feel safe.5 Jesus was the manifestation of openness, the tax collectors and Pharisees would often get frustrated at his openness toward people, they even said, This man welcomes sinners and eats with them. (Luke 15:2 NIV) Not only is the life of Jesus a display of openness, but his death on the cross, for the sins of the entire world show us God wanted the gospel to be open to all who would receive it. Elmer makes it very clear that openness is not religious relativism by saying, Our challenge is to be inclusive in extending grace to all people yet exclusive in affirming that the Bible is the authoritative truth of God.6 Elmer shares how we have become a culture that is quick to reject things and slow to accept. This thought process hinders those who go into cross-cultural ministry. Communicating respect for others is something even Elmer struggled with. Elmer shares that while ministering in an urban area with his friend Mark he noticed someone and whispered to Mark, Is she a prostitute? He paused; I remember thinking, why the pause? Its obvious. Then he said firmly, No! Thats not a prostitute. Thats a personin prostitution. His profound statement affects me to this day.7 Elmer does a great job of communicating that we are all image-bearers of God and therefore we should have adoration for our neighbors.
4 5 6

Ibid, 28. Ibid, 39. Ibid, 56. Ibid, 64.

One of the hardest things to do is trust. Trusting in people you do not know very well is a tough thing to do. Also it is very important when entering a culture to build trust amongst the people. This is made clear in a quote by Marvin K. Mayers, The most important step in entering a new culture is to build trust. Only when people trust will they listen to what we have to say.8 This building of confidence amongst the two groups is essential to the fruitfulness of the ministry to come. Elmer also notes that trust can be expressed and defined differently within cultures. Therefore it is very important for those serving to be observant to the communitys views on trust and conviction. It is trust that often opens the line of communication and later leads to deep conversations and even discipleship. Often education can stand in the way of learning new things. As Elmer communicated in earlier chapters, the need for humility is very important in a missionarys lifestyle. Often education and multiple degrees can serve as a barrier between the culture and the missionary. When talking about education and degrees Elmer says, While commendable, there is a virus that tends to infect such people, myself included. We might call it the right answer virus.9 The mission field needs people who are willing to learn from the natives about their culture and customs. When this idea of learning takes place, relationships begin to thrive, and then humility does its work and produces a strong fellowship. Learning from one another can simply be the act of rediscovering the art of listening. William Stringfellows quote communicates just that, Listening is a primitive act of love.10 Understanding a culture is often viewed as knowledge of the society. Elmer shows that true understanding happens at a personal level. True understanding might be better defined as
8

Ibid, 76. Ibid, 91. Ibid, 122.

10

seeing life through the lens of a native. Seeing through the eyes of a local might enable the missionary to compare things differently and see the values the culture places on certain items. Elmer makes it clear that, Everyone is ethnocentric. Its natural to believe that we do things the best way. So its unnatural for the cross-cultural servant to assume that other cultures have been blessed by God.11 The heart of serving hinges on the ability to see through the eyes of the people we are serving. Rounding out this section is more in depth analysis on serving. The idea is simply that acceptance, trust, learning, openness, and understanding all lead back to the main purpose of being a servant to the people you are trying to reach. In essence, nothing is more important then establishing your willingness to serve others greater then yourself. Elmer shares that, Serving is the ability to relate to people in such a way that their dignity as human beings is affirmed and they are more empowered to live God-glorifying lives.12 The Challenges The basic question is, how do we combine the concept of service with that of leadership?13 Leadership is a place that is seldom assumed with complete humility. The title servant-leader is something that Elmer disvalues; instead he notes that we are all called to servanthood whether or not we are in positions of leadership. Humility, a theme throughout this entire book, is only emphasized when we are acknowledging the challenges that face missionarys. Elmer also makes it clear that in order to assume positive leadership, one must contain the spiritual giftedness to lead while also being affirmed by the community.

11

Ibid, 143. Ibid, 146. Ibid, 155.

12

13

The power that comes with leadership is something that can open great doors, but it is also something that can create great barriers if not used wisely. Listening must remain a cornerstone to cross-cultural ministry especially when the missionary begins to gain power and influence. Within the missionarys gained influence it is important that they place their ideas and plans on the backburner and listen to what God is communicating through his people. Abraham Lincoln had a quote about power that says, Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a mans character, give him power.14 Elmer is communicating that when power and influence change us and contaminate our ministries we become, blind guides. (Matthew 23:16 NIV) Therefore, power and influence is something we must use humbly and always with reference to humility and scripture. The final challenge of a servant is to be aware of mystery. The apostle Paul uses the word mystery about twenty-one times. He often uses it to refer to the hidden purpose of God. That is, God doesnt always explain the why to lifes more vexing problems. This is a mystery to us.15 Emotions can easily capture someone serving the least of these. In the moments where we see people suffering and hurting our faith might be challenged. Elmer is communicated that even the great apostle Paul found certain things mysterious. Pressing on in the midst of mystery is something missionaries must be determined to do, Eventually, the fog will lift.16 In closing the author uses the life of Joseph to illustrate the principles previously shared throughout the book. Elmer leaves his audience encouraged with these words, God has a significant role for you in his global mission. But it can be significant only if you are able to follow the servanthood

14

Ibid, 173. Ibid, 180. Ibid, 191.

15

16

of Jesus, which is difficult in the best of circumstances but especially challenging in places that are foreign to you.17

17

Ibid, 198.

Bibliography Elmer, Duane. Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility. Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP Books, 2006.