Revisiting a Provocative Theme: The Attrition of Longer-Term Missionaries

2002 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 67-80 ◽  
Author(s):  
William D. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Cultural Workers ◽  
Field Service ◽  
Stakeholder Groups

The issue of attrition of longer-term cross-cultural workers is a critical and multifaceted one. We define attrition in its broadest sense as departure from field service by missionaries, regardless of cause. However, our prime concerns related to attrition themes speak to the causes of premature or painful departure from field service. We discovered major attrition variants between newer sending countries (NSC) and older sending countries (OSC). Lessons must be learned from both categories as mission stakeholder groups grapple with their own roles in addressing the causes of attrition as well as reducing it.

The Implications of Pre-Field Training, Negative Family-Related Events, and Negative Pre-Field Events for Resilience among Cross-Cultural Workers

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-217
Author(s):  
Nathaniel Thom ◽  
Pamela S. Davis ◽  
Luke Tseng
Keyword(s):  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Negative Events ◽  
Risk And Resilience ◽  
Aid Workers ◽  
Member Care ◽  
Cultural Workers ◽  
Humanitarian Aid Workers ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Resilience Scale ◽  
Resilience Factors

Cross-cultural workers are often exposed to a host of environmental, interpersonal, and physical stressors. This exposure may lead to negative mental health outcomes such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, or sub-clinical psychological distress. This study sought to investigate risk and resilience factors, both broadly and in-depth, among a group of faith-based cross-cultural workers. An adapted Deployment Risk and Resilience Inventory, 2nd edition (DRRI-2) along with the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD–RISC) were administered to N=268 missionaries and faith-based humanitarian aid workers. A comprehensive correlational analysis revealed significant relationships to risk and resilience in the areas of pre-field preparation, negative family events while on the field, and pre-field negative events. Implications for member care are discussed.

Defining culturally appropriate leadership

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 240-251
Author(s):  
Richard Hibbert ◽  
Evelyn Hibbert
Keyword(s):  
Global South ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Culturally Appropriate ◽  
Christian Leadership ◽  
Cultural Workers ◽  
Christian Leaders ◽  
Good Leader ◽  
Local Leaders

The development of Christian leaders is a key need in much of the Global South. Research has shown that churches that have a contextualized pattern of leadership are more likely to grow and less likely to be perceived as foreign. This article describes a process that missionaries can use with local leaders to define a God-honoring, culturally appropriate pattern of Christian leadership. It does this by drawing on research on Millet Christians’ perceptions of what makes a good leader as well as literature on cross-cultural variability in leadership. Three practical steps that cross-cultural workers can take to work with local leaders to define a contextualized pattern of leadership are outlined.

scholarly journals Cross Cultural Workers for Women and Families From Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds: A Mixed-Methods Study of Service Providers Perceptions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen J Rogers ◽  
Lily Hogan ◽  
Dominiek Coates ◽  
Caroline SE Homer ◽  
Amanda Henry
Keyword(s):  
Culturally Responsive ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Perinatal Outcomes ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Model Of Care ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cultural Workers ◽  
Barriers To Access ◽  
Community Based Services

Abstract BackgroundWomen from migrant and refugee backgrounds who live in high-income countries are at increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, including mental health issues, preterm birth and maternal and infant mortality. There is a need to implement and evaluate models of care to meet their specific needs in order to improve health outcomes, their experiences of care, and overcome barriers to access. In Sydney, Australia, a unique model of care was implemented to support women and families from migrant and refugee backgrounds to access health and community-based services through the continuum of pregnancy to the early parenting period. This model of care is known as the Cross Cultural Workers (CCWs) in Maternity and Child and Family Health Service (the CCW Service). The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of service providers regarding the CCW Service and identify recommendations for improvement.MethodsA mixed-methods study was conducted consisting of surveys and face to face semi-structured interviews. Service providers were recruited from hospital-based maternity and community-based services. Survey data were analysed descriptively. Interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. ResultsSixty-nine service providers completed surveys and 19 were interviewed. The CCW Service was highly regarded by service providers who perceived it to be critical in improving care for women from migrant and refugee backgrounds. The overarching theme from the interviews was the ability of the CCW Service to act as a ‘bridge to health’. There were three main categories; supporting access to health and community-based services, improving the healthcare experience, and organisational factors affecting CCW Service provision. A limitation of the CCW Service was the part-time hours of the CCWs, reducing their ability to meet demand, build service provider capacity to provide culturally responsive care and fully operationalise the model. Conclusion Service providers perceived the CCW model to be a culturally responsive model of care tailored to the needs of women and families from migrant and refugee backgrounds, that reduces barriers to access, has the potential to improve perinatal outcomes, and women's experience and satisfaction with care.

Ministry in laïque France: Understanding history to confront present challenges

2020 ◽  
pp. 009182962093739
Author(s):  
Stephen M. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Public Space ◽  
Catholic Church ◽  
Historical Context ◽  
Roman Catholic ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Roman Catholic Church ◽  
Cultural Workers ◽  
State Neutrality ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Law

This article attempts to provide insight into the challenging and changing religious context for cross-cultural ministry in France in the 21st century. Many of these challenges exist due to the religious history of France, the marginalization of religion, and the unwelcome presence of foreign missionaries in secular France. French laïcité presents a specificity in origin, definition, and evolution which arises from a unique historical context leading to the Law of Separation of Churches and state in 1905. The law abrogated the 1801 Napoleonic Concordat with the Vatican, disestablished the Roman Catholic Church, ended centuries of religious turmoil, declared state neutrality in religious matters, and continues as a subject of debate and dissension 100 years later with the emergence of Islam as the second largest religion in France. Cross-cultural workers enter a ministry context where religion has been progressively removed from public space.

scholarly journals Cross Cultural Workers for women and families from migrant and refugee backgrounds: a mixed-methods study of service providers perceptions

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen J. Rogers ◽  
Lily Hogan ◽  
Dominiek Coates ◽  
Caroline S. E. Homer ◽  
Amanda Henry
Keyword(s):  
Culturally Responsive ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Perinatal Outcomes ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Model Of Care ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Cultural Workers ◽  
Barriers To Access ◽  
Community Based Services

Abstract Background Women from migrant and refugee backgrounds who live in high-income countries are at increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes, including mental health issues, preterm birth and maternal and infant mortality. There is a need to implement and evaluate models of care to meet their specific needs in order to improve health outcomes, their experiences of care, and overcome barriers to access. In Sydney, Australia, a unique model of care was implemented to support women and families from migrant and refugee backgrounds to access health and community-based services through the continuum of pregnancy to the early parenting period. This model of care is known as the Cross Cultural Workers (CCWs) in Maternity and Child and Family Health Service (the CCW Service). The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions of service providers regarding the CCW Service and identify recommendations for improvement. Methods A mixed-methods study was conducted consisting of surveys and face to face semi-structured interviews. Service providers were recruited from hospital-based maternity and community-based services. Survey data were analysed descriptively. Interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results Sixty-nine service providers completed surveys and 19 were interviewed. The CCW Service was highly regarded by service providers who perceived it to be critical in improving care for women from migrant and refugee backgrounds. The overarching theme from the interviews was the ability of the CCW Service to act as a ‘bridge to health’ through the provision of culturally responsive care. There were three main categories; supporting access to health and community-based services, improving the healthcare experience, and organisational factors, including part-time hours, capacity, heavy workloads and confusion/lack of clarity regarding the CCW role, which affected CCWs’ capacity to optimally support service providers in providing culturally responsive care. These limitations meant CCWs were not able to meet demand, and fully operationalise the model. Conclusion Service providers perceived the CCW model to be a culturally responsive model of care tailored to the needs of women and families from migrant and refugee backgrounds, that reduces barriers to access, and has the potential to improve perinatal outcomes, and women's experience and satisfaction with care.

A theology of diversity with special reference to translation issues in Central Asia

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-168
Author(s):  
Joseph S. Williams
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Diversity ◽  
Special Reference ◽  
Central Asia ◽  
Relevance Theory ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Cultural Workers ◽  
Diverse Cultures ◽  
The Church

Cross-cultural ministry to Muslims raises questions about communication and the legitimacy of presenting biblical truth in different forms. This paper seeks to address some of those questions through a survey of the biblical storyline by focusing on the development of diverse cultures, languages, and communities in Scripture. After establishing an endorsement of cultural diversity in the Scriptures, the article moves to applying those principles to the task of translation in light of one prevailing theory of communication, namely Relevance Theory (RT). Translation practices offer both risks and opportunities to the church and established theology. The article argues that in engaging other cultures and language, cross-cultural workers should take a posture of risk and experimentation. They should bias their efforts towards the receptor cultures’ understanding even when the existing church may fear a loss of valued theological principles. This applies to the initial questions raised in the article by endorsing creative ways of presenting biblical truth, including ways that co-opt other religious structures.

Cultural competence and cultural humility: A critical reflection on key cultural diversity concepts

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 410-430 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ransford Danso
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
Cultural Competence ◽  
Critical Reflection ◽  
Deep Level ◽  
Work Practice ◽  
Social Work Practice ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Cultural Humility ◽  
Cultural Workers ◽  
Structural Problems

Summary Cultural competence has commanded respectable attention since its introduction in cross-cultural discourse. Cultural competence has been presented as a framework capable of promoting culturally sensitive practice and for training cross-cultural workers. However, a smorgasbord of definitions and conceptualizations has generated intense controversy around the construct, with many questioning its relevance or ability to address structural problems. Disenchantment has led to calls to jettison and replace cultural competence with cultural humility. This paper presents a critical reflection on cultural competence and cultural humility, including critiquing the critiques of cultural competence. Findings A critically reflective analysis suggests that semantic appeal does not necessarily give cultural humility a utilitarian edge over the construct it seeks to supplant. Cultural humility appears not to add more value to social work practice than cultural competence. From a social work perspective, cultural humility is essentially a repackaging of anti-oppressive practice; the fundamental ideas underpinning cultural humility have previously been developed and are foundational principles of anti-oppressive social work practice and education. Critical analysis also reveals that many of the critiques of cultural competence lack analytical rigour. Applications Deep-level theoretical analyses can lead to innovative perspectives that allow for critical re-examination of extant methodological approaches and promote culturally empowering social work practices in our super-diverse, postmodern world. Rather than dismissing long-standing, potentially effective theoretical and practice tools with happy abandon, adapting them in light of current developments would help move social work to a new, enlightened level of relevance in working with diversity and difference.

scholarly journals God's Word Became Our Poetry and Sang within Us: Facilitating Contextualisation through Indigenous Poetry

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Sheryl Morris
Keyword(s):  
Process Research ◽  
Cross Cultural ◽  
Cultural Workers ◽  
Bible Translation ◽  
God's Word ◽  
The World ◽  
Field Workers ◽  
Indigenous Poetry

Many cultures around the world esteem poetry as a medium for communicating truth and preserving traditions, and which can impact peoples’ cognitive, affective and volitional dimensions of life. This exploratory project discusses the necessity of effectively contextualising theology for indigenous churches, and the inherently beneficial nature of poetry to help achieve this process. Research includes the study of relevant missiological literature and material acquired by questionnaire. This questionnaire was completed by linguistic field workers involved in Bible translation and by their professional colleagues. The findings of this research indicate that indigenous poetry is inherently valued in a variety of cultures and can be appropriately applied by both indigenous poets and cross-cultural workers to facilitate the contextualisation of Bible translation.

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