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Lambs dancing with WolvesCrossing culturesLAMBS DANCING WITH WOLVES If Kevin Kostner came to mind as you read the title, don't feel guilty. The author uses the film (or more strictly the book) as the backcloth to illustrate cross-cultural issues. The book is a practical manual for Christian workers overseas. The lambs are the missionaries and the wolves the people whom the lambs have gone to serve. Michael Griffiths is well qualified to write this material, this being exemplified by the wealth of illustrations stemming from his wide experience in the field. There are 13 chapters which deal with a variety of practical issues, such as language learning and relating to the indigenous population. One chapter deals with the symptoms of culture shock and stages of stress. What about relating with missionaries from other English and non-English speaking countries who are there? This can be as difficult and traumatic as befriending wolves. These are things we don't always think about from the comforts of our UK armchairs. The concluding chapters handle more personal and internal matters concerning the sending agency. Some sound pastoral counsel is to be found here, such as advice for both single and married missionaries. The book is intended to be a manual for workers to take with them. I would say that this is a book for all church and missionary agency leaders to read and refer to. It will prove invaluable in dealing with prospective candidates when they first moot the rumblings of a call. The hassle and tension of cross-cultural work comes out, which underlines the necessity for a clear call with strong home support. If there is a weakness in the book, then it would be in the chapter dealing with the lamb and the flock leaders, i.e. the missionary society. Little reference is made to the sending church and the involvement of its leadership. The emphasis is more on the society. This may be no fault of the author, who after all, is reflecting reality. Before you conclude that this is not for you because you are not directly involved in overseas work, let me hasten to add that this book is of great value in our own multicultural society. It may well challenge some of our premises, which are often more cultural than scriptural. Maciek Stolarski, Southport© Evangelicals Now - June 2001 |