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.

"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

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

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

Epilogue

Appendix

Notes

Selected Bibliography