Doctor of Ministry
Cross Cultural Experience: Guidelines for Professional Development Credit
Purpose
One of the commitments of the Doctor of Ministry program to equip Christian leaders for reaching all the world for Christ is the expectation of a cross-cultural experience as part of the degree plan. This experience may be taken for academic credit (as one of the nine courses required for D.Min.) or as an extra-curricular adventure. If taken for credit, you will need a professor of record and a contract for the coursework in addition to the guidelines below. You may contact the D.Min. office for assistance to set this up as a course for credit.
Before you take your trip, please contact the D.Min. office to confirm your planned experience comes within the guidelines and objectives of the CCE requirement. Submit a petition form to request that it count toward the requirement.
Learning Objectives
The participant will:
- Demonstrate the ability to identify cultural artifacts in a ministry context
- Demonstrate the ability to theologically and biblically identify the core of the Gospel and how it is understood through cultural lenses
- Demonstrate the ability to translate ministry principles to varying cultures and contexts, i.e.- what are universals and what are negotiable (cp. Acts 15 and Galatians)
- Demonstrate the ability to reflect application of principles learned during the CCE to the participant's current ministry context, as well as to confirm truths already known/in practice.
Preparatory Reading
Read one of the following 4 books:
- Kohls, L. Robert. Survival Kit for Overseas Living: For Americans Planning to Live and Work Abroad. 4th edition. (Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, 2001).
- Kutsche, Paul. Field Ethnography: A Manual for Doing Cultural Anthropology. (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1998).
- Storti, Craig. The Art of Crossing Cultures 2nd edition. (Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, 2001).
- Storti, Craig. Figuring Foreigners Out: A Practical Guide. (Yarmouth, ME: Intercultural Press, 1999).
* In addition to one of the above 4 books, please read one other book (of your choosing) that deals specifically with the culture you will be visiting including the state of the Christian movement in that culture.
Integrative Reflection
- Before your trip:
Do the preparatory reading above. Begin a journal where you briefly explain the experience as you expect it will unfold. Talk about any previous experience you have had in this culture, questions you might have about it, other points of reservation, concern or excitement. Write a prayer specifically asking the Lord for some insight during your time.
- During your trip:
Keep a daily journal, detailing events that you were either involved in or observed. Can be done as a conversational prayer journal also.
- After your trip:
Upon your return, compose a 6-8 page reflection detailing:
- Confirmations - were there things you knew that were confirmed on this experience?
- Revelations - what new insights did you discover? Were there any places of internal conflict or struggle? Any major paradigm shifts that you encountered?
- Applications - What is different now? Are there ways that your experience affects the way you view your ministry context? What will you do differently as a result of this experience?
Submit a copy of your journal and reflection paper to the D.Min. office within 60 days after the completion of your trip. To count toward the CCE requirement, the trip must confirmed with the D.Min. office prior to your departure. Papers submitted without prior approval might not be accepted as meeting the requirement.