Cross-Culture Essay and Reflection Paper
Class: Introduction to Missions
Book: Missions: Biblical Foundations and Contemporary Strategies. Author: Gailyn Van Rheenen
Research Project: Cross-cultural essay and reflection paper: (30%)Students will complete a 4-5-page paper (excluding cover page and bibliography) based on Student interviews someone of a different ethnic background. This has to be as recent as a month ago, and no more. In your report, you are to follow these guidelines:i. Describe your meeting: What ethnic group? What happened? What did you observe that was different? (Worldview, value system, gestures, greetings…)ii. Reactions:a. my thoughts and feelings. Use the two key indicators of ‘surprise’ and ‘irritation’ as a guide to observe cultural differences. What surprised me and why? What irritated me and why?b. What stimulated my reactions?iii. My personal ministry prospects: What cross-cultural problems do you foresee if you were to work full-time with this ethnic group?iv. Personal reflection: What did I learn? Were there customs, beliefs, ideas etc. that I initially thought meant one thing but later understood to mean something else? How was I challenged spiritually? What strengths and weaknesses did this reveal in me? In this reflection, you are to integrate Biblical thoughts and class discussions.