Elmer, Duane : Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
Elmer is the G. W. Aldeen Professor of International Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield,
Illinois. In addition to traveling and teaching in over seventy-five countries, he has provided cross-cultural
training to people from Fortune 500 companies, relief and development agencies, mission organizations, churches,
and educational institutions. He has also conducted peace and reconciliation efforts in several countries.
Review
"Elmer has given us a tremendous resource for the twenty-first century. In this day and age people from
different cultures and racial backgrounds are intersecting with each other more frequently now than ever before.
This thought-provoking, insightful and practical book delivers excellent biblical references to support key principles.
A must-read for Christians or non-Christians, local churches, Christian colleges and universities, mission organizations,
and those connected to the marketplace."
--Alvin C. Bibbs Sr., director, Extension Ministries, Willow Creek Community Church
"Elmer makes complicated and technical material easy and practical. He has a gift of connecting both theory
and practice in such a way that they become usable. Although written with Western readers in mind, the book reflects
Two-Thirds World thinking. It works both ways--for those who wish to cross the cultural limits from the West to
the Two-Thirds World or vice versa. For this reason I recommend this book not only to the Western readers but also
to Two-Thirds World peoples."
--David Tai-Woong Lee, director, Global Missionary Training Center, Seoul, Korea
"Once again, Elmer has provided us with an excellent, insightful and interactive guide for preparation for
cross-cultural ministry at home or abroad. The applications to interpersonal relationships are many. This is a
must-read for any Christian anticipating wider involvement in service for our Lord. I only wish this very useful
book had been available to me prior to my international involvement."
--Howard Searle, M.D., executive director, Emmanuel Hospital Association (USA)
"Starting with the story of a monkey 'rescuing' a fish from 'drowning,' Elmer shows the rest of us primates
how to jump into the chilly waters of another culture and learn to swim with the fish. As one who has seen him
do this effectively with business personnel, I am delighted that his insights are now available to far more who
are making the plunge--especially those doing so for Christ's sake."
--J. Dudley Woodberry, professor of Islamic studies and dean emeritus, School of World Mission, Fuller Theological
Seminary
"Cross-Cultural Connections will help you understand core values that determine how people in different cultures
make decisions and interact in everyday life. I started and finished reading the book on my flight from the U.S.
to China. I found many practical insights and a deep perception and appreciation coming from an author that is
obviously a cross-cultural veteran. Although I live and travel constantly between different cultures, I was able
to reflect on a couple sticky situations of my own with the wisdom offered by the book."
--Janson Chan, president, CMR International Corp
"Elmer provides a valuable and timely tool for crosscultural work, especially as the face of world missions
is changing. No longer is missions from the 'West to the rest,' but from 'everywhere to everywhere.' This delightful
trend in missions makes Elmer's book even more significant. Today, Peruvians face culture shock in China, and Taiwanese
are challenged to understand Sudan. Missionaries in multinational teams need to learn to work with their colleagues
as well as with host-country nationals. Cross-Cultural Connections is filled with sound principles and fascinating
stories. I will be sending copies of the book to each of our personnel directors."
--Jim Plueddemann, international director, SIM
"With his candid humor and personal applications, Elmer knows how to instruct adults. This is not just a book
but a training manual that incorporates some good andragogical principles of adult education. . . . Elmer doesn't
just take us to the field, but treats the oft-neglected topic of reentry. The appendix, while directed to a debriefing
of a longer term cross-cultural experience, could well be a separate manual to debrief the many short-termers who
need post-trip evaluation."
--John H. Orme, executive director, IFMA
"It's a delight to learn how concerned for the right things we can be and yet still be so far from the mark,
which is often the case. It will soon be, I am sure, an adopted, fresh standard of measure for new-candidate missions
training, evangelism and even new-marriage counseling. All by their nature involve understanding our too-narrowed
selves in crosscultural settings, which this book (get a good highlighter pen) clearly provides. . . . Elmer has
successfully placed before us a 'working book' that, while wonderfully written and easily read, also begs you to
underline scores of 'make-sense' insights and then tab the page so you can find them again."
--M. L. Hillard, former vice president of people development, ServiceMaster
"This book will help us love our neighbors in ways that make sense to them."
--Miriam Adeney, associate professor of global and urban ministries, Seattle Pacific University, and teaching
fellow, Regent College
InterVarsity Press Web Site, December, 2003
Summary
With the new realities of global interconnectedness comes a greater awareness of cultural diversity from place
to place. Besides differences in food and fashion, we face significant contrasts of cultural orientation and patterns
of thinking. As we travel across cultures, what should we expect? How do we deal with culture shock? And can we
truly connect with those we meet?
Experienced cross-cultural specialist Duane Elmer provides a compass for navigating through different cultures.
He shows us how to avoid pitfalls and cultural faux pas, as well as how to make the most of opportunities to build
cross-cultural relationships. Filled with real-life illustrations and practical exercises, this guide offers the
tools needed to reduce apprehension, communicate effectively, and establish genuine trust and acceptance.
Above all, Elmer demonstrates how we can avoid being cultural imperialists and instead become authentic ambassadors
for Christ. Whether you are embarking on a short-term mission trip or traveling for business or pleasure, this
book is both an ideal preparation and a handy companion for your journey.
Features and Benefits:
*An ideal resource for anyone ministering or traveling overseas
*Helpful exercises for working through and applying cross-cultural ministry concepts
*Study questions at the end of each chapter
*Insightful and practical methods to bridge the cultural gaps that separate people
*Real-life illustrations
Table of Contents
Preface
Section 1: Getting a Perspective
1. Monkeys, Mission and Us
2. Your Part of God's Story
3. Right, Wrong and Different
Section 2: Dealing with the New and Different
4. Culture is Everywhere, and It Sneaks Up on You
5. Culture Shocks
6. Identifying Expectations
7. Square Heads and Round Heads
8. Cultural Adjustment Map
Section 3: Attitudes and Skills for Cultural Adjustment
9. Openness: How to Be Approachable
10. Acceptance: How to Be Positive
11. Trust: How to Build Strong Relationships
12. Skills for Cross-Cultural Effectiveness
Section 4: Cultural Differences That Confuse
13. Time and Event
14. Task and Relationship
15. Individualism and Collectivism
16. Categorical and Holistic Thinking
17. Logic: Straight or Curved
18. Achieved Status and Ascribed Status
19. Guilt and Shame
20. Worship Expression: From Low to High
Section 5: Returning Home
21: Re-Entry: You Are Never the Same