How a sweatshirt is like a rubber band

In the previous post we observed that cultural differences require us to make adjustments in how we interact with and think about situations. We saw that the adjustments we need to make in any given situation are directly proportionate to the amount of differences involved. The more different a situation is, the more adjustments are required. But that's not the only equation that applies to cross-cultural ministry. Additionally, tension is directly proportionate to adjustment. The greater the adjustment required, the greater the resulting tension. And conversely, if little adjustment is required, then only a small amount of tension may result. Consider a rubber band. In its original state there is no tension and no reason to snap. But as you stretch the band out you increase the tension. The further you stretch it, the greater the tension, until finally the tension becomes too great and it snaps.

This is similar to what happens in cross-cultural situations. As we experience differences in culture and make adjustments, our way of thinking (our paradigm) is being stretched. For example, one afternoon a group of short-term missionaries was playing on a soccer pitch with some children. As the sun went down the temperature began to drop. One team member went to the van to grab her sweatshirt and then realized that none of the children had sweatshirts to put on and it was only getting colder. This experience stretched her thinking in regards to wealth and poverty. It’s one thing to hear about it on the news, but to actually experience it forces you to engage the tension.

Now it is important to remember, tension itself is not a bad thing. If it weren't for tension, how could the rubber band hold anything together? Tension is inevitable in cross-cultural situations, and is in fact part of the reason we engage in cross-cultural ministry. The tension is the indication that we are being stretched beyond our current way of thinking. It opens our minds to new ways of understanding the world. If it weren't for tension there would be no learning. However, too much tension can be a bad thing. It is the job of your team leaders to help you process the tension and make sure it doesn’t become so great that you snap.

As you work through these inevitable experiences there are two potential results. The first, as we have mentioned, is that you learn and grow from it. Allow your mind to be stretch and you will come to a fuller understanding and appreciation for this new culture. The other potential result is frustration and misery. The primary factor in determining which result you will experience is the attitude with which you approach the situation. If you approach your cross-cultural experience with an open mind, a humble attitude and a willingness to learn and adapt to the situations around you, then you will likely experience growth and become enriched through the process. However, if you approach these new experiences with a close-minded arrogance, an attitude of superiority and an unwillingness to change, then you will likely endure a frustrating, aggravating trip. Reflecting on our rubber band analogy, it’s the older, more fragile rubber bands that break. The more flexible ones can undergo great tension without snapping. Thus the second steadfast rule in cross-cultural ministry is: Flexibility, flexibility, flexibility!

In our prior lesson we began to address this attitude by recognizing that different is not necessarily wrong. Now we add to this the willingness to adjust to new situations and try new things. The combination of humility and flexibility will go a long way in helping you have the best cross-cultural experience possible.