Cross culture communication

We live in a multiracial and multicultural society and on the whole have been able to live peacefully and harmoniously together. Of course there are racists in our midst, but they are in the minority and their influence on society is minimal and contained. Even in the church there are racists and we need to pray that the Lord will touch their hearts that they may learn acceptance of others of a different race and culture. The Kingdom of God has no boundaries.

In our Corps (church) we have a real mix of Chinese, Indian, Filipino, Indonesian, Eurasian, Australian, New Zealander, Swiss etc. We all worship the Lord in English the common language.

I grew up in Lorong Limau, our next door neighbour was a Malay family, further down the road were Indians, Eurasians and Chinese speaking different dialects! I went to school, my classmates comprised different races.

In a cross cultural community, miscommunication sometimes is inevitable. We do not have enough officers of our own, so it is necessary for overseas people to come into our country to help us. Besides we are an international organisation and it is good to maintain our internationalism. We used to refer to them as missionary officers, today they are called reinforcement officers. What's in a name, the important thing is for them to come and help us in saving souls, growing saints and serve suffering humanity.

Some have adapted very well, for example our new Territorial Commanders - Colonels Keith and Beryl Burridge. They have that passion of trying to reach out to our people. They have the 'pastor's heart' and seek to understand our culture for the sake of the gospel. Our Corps Officer (pastor) Major Ruth Pascoe has been here for more than thirty years, has taken up permanent residence and even speaks Singlish too adding a 'lah' here and there! She's one of us, loves our people, our food and our culture! We are glad in the history of the Army here, we have been blessed with such type of reinforcement officers.

Sadly we have had some, who find it hard to adapt. Quite often in their conversation would say, "At home (referring to their homeland) we do it like this." Once I heard the remark "You have strange ways of doing things here, not like we do at home. You are not Army." Wow. They seem to think, that unless things are done in exactly the same way as is done in their land, it is not right. Years ago we had an officer who succeeded us in a Church appointment. One of the first things she did was to change the meeting time to 11.00 am.from 10.00 a.m. because she was used to worshipping at 11.00 a.m.! One officer came and changed the name 'Sunday School' to JAM Club. Some parents withdrew their children from Sunday School.

Come, come, don't despise the 'weired or queer' practices of others.

Let's take bowing for example. To the Chinese it is just a form of courtesy and showing respect. It is not necessarily worship. The westerner expresses such courtesy with a kiss on the cheek, or a hug. It's disgusting to the old fashioned Chinese, Indian or Malay. I am not the hugging type, but in the Philippines I learned to hug (believe it or not) just like the local people do. It's their culture and when I am in their country, I must learn to accept their way of doing things. When in Rome do as the Romans do. Paul tells us to be all things to all men, that we might win some. How true.

The Emperor of China was interested in Christianity. However when the missionaries went to the Forbidden City, they refused to bow down. Why should the 'ang moh' bow to the Chinese in the so called 'pagan land'! That was their attitude. The Emperor was so hurt, disgusted and angry, he expelled them. What an opportunity missed. They could have led the Emperor to Christ if they were humble like the Lord they professed to serve.

This subject of cross culture came up during our conversation at the lunch table at Peacehaven. What a mix of culture among the staff and residents of Peacehaven. It is enriching! And it set me thinking - I have a lot to learn to cross culture. Someone called cross culture, the culture of the cross! If we are really passionate about communicating the gospel, let us try to understand the other person's culture or way of seeing and doing things. One culture views the other as offensive and crude, but to the other is is pleasing, sacred and good! One man's meat is another's poison.

Let me end with the prayer of St. Francis which I'm sure you have come across and one of the requests is "Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace....not to be understood, but to understand." Amen to that. We all need to pray that prayer.

It all boils down to the Christian having the mind or attitude of Christ who left Heaven's throne to be a servant and to die on the cross for our sakes.