MINISTERING THROUGH CULTURAL DIFFERENCES

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1

Introduction

America has many groups that retain much of their uniqueness for various reasons. These groups are distinguished by their culture, ethnicity, gender, class, language, religion, or even age.

Everyone has the same basic needs but the ways in which they fulfill these needs vary. Culture is the blueprint that determines the way an individual thinks, feels, and behaves in society. We are all cultural beings. Culture gives us our identity through acceptable words, actions, gestures, voice tones, facial expressions, handling time, space, and materials, through work, play, expressing our emotions, and defending ourselves. Much culture is learned at birth. Be aware that while we were not born wanting to be racist, our cultural conditioning has given us certain biases and prejudices. To pretend that “we are all the same” is to deny an aspect of who we were created to be. This could be a problem in ministry.

Diversity is not the problem but our perception of diversity can be. Great diversity can even exist within specific groups. Many groups assimilate or change their cultural patterns to more reflect the dominant culture. However, attributing too much “culture” to a person who has assimilated the values of the dominant culture will also lead to mistaken perceptions and stereotypes.

Ministry To Those With Cultural Differences

  • Ultimate goal-the restoration of the image of God in man through love, grace, and mercy, and the development of an intimate mature relationship with Jesus Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We are called to love people where they are. Part of that call, according to I Chronicles 12:32, is to understand the times we live in from a cultural context. We must be creative as Paul was in I Corinthians 9:20 to be what we need to be to draw the lost to salvation.
  • Ministry is not culture or bias free-Acts 17:16-34 shows us that we need to recognize the uniqueness and contributions of each cultural group and develop effective methods to minister to all people. We must recognize that empathy, understanding, and ultimately embracing our brothers and sisters in Christ can be thwarted by becoming defensive and angry and not looking at the biases and prejudices we all have. We are to live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18) and this extends to the body of Christ. Part of living peaceably is to understand each other’s frame of reference. It is important to address issues

within a biblically based worldview

in a cultural context.

Working With the Hispanic/Latino(a) Population

Hispanic is not a racial term. It is a government designation. It actually refers to people from Spain or people who speak Spanish. It is a word that Americans use to describe those from a Latin American country or someone from a Spanish heritage. Latino(a) is also appropriate to describe someone from a Latin American origin. If there is a question about how someone wants to refer to their culture, ask the person how they want to be referred to.

  • Family in the Hispanic culture is extremely significant. It is more important than school attendance, or work. Cooperation among family members is stressed. If something happens to a family member it happens to all the family with the same intensity. Family includes extended family and even friends. The father is the most important dominant/authoritarian position in the Hispanic family. However, the mother is the most influential. There is a sense of loyalty and shared responsibility to family and interdependence of individual needs. This loyalty extends to care for children, and financial and emotional support as well. Children are usually not consulted on family decisions. Women assert their influence indirectly thus preserving the appearance of male control. Family is so important that divorce or separation may be unthinkable regardless of the conflict or abuse. Reliance is on the family network not outside persons. The family has more importance than the individual. Because of the family importance, outside help may not be requested until family support has been exhausted.
  • Communication- The Hispanic culture has a unique communication style. Family rituals (parties) are ways of communicating. Fiestas and musica facilitate the transmission of messages. Hispanics focus on personal relationships and being pleasant and in harmony to others. Harmony has great value in this culture. Saying “good-bye” may take several hours beginning from getting up all the way to driving off. Harmony may even supersede honesty. The Hispanic style of communication tends to interrupt, is lively, and loud. They really like to talk. Using the indirect method of communication is much more readily received as it maintains the harmony. Ex: “There are people who…” NOT “You are going to…” When the language barrier is pronounced, it is desirable to have an interpreter, which communicates that you care and want to understand.
  • Respect has very high importance (much more than being right). This culture respects hierarchy and authority over the individual. There is a tendency to speak softly and avoid eye contact with high-status people, perceived or real, and give nonverbal or indirect responses.
  • Machismo refers to a man’s responsibility to provide for, protect, and defend his family. His loyalty and sense of responsibility to family, friends, and community make him a good man. Machismo is motivation to be a man. Machismo gives a sense of pride in feeling responsible for the family’s well-being. Machismo implies and promotes resiliency by resisting adversity which brings honor. It may be difficult for a Hispanic man to get help because it is seen as a sign of weakness.

There tends to be a fatalistic attitude that “God allows it so there isn’t much that can be done about the situation.” Life is run by God and other spirits. Spiritual life supercedes material life. Religion defines the person. There are prevailing beliefs, especially in the Catholic family, that sacrifice in this world is helpful to salvation, being charitable to others is a virtue, and you should endure wrongs done against you. Consequently, some Hispanics may have difficulty being assertive. Hispanics are showing more receptivity to the gospel than ever before in the history of this country. We must assess the Hispanic’s spirituality. Many are from a Catholic background that has many superstitions. If the Hispanic says they are a Christian, we need to ask them what that means to them. Sometimes this means they are a cultural Christian, name only. The Catholic belief system includes aspects of Espiritismo, Curanderismo that is a form of folk healing including herbal medicine, rituals and psychic healing, and Santeria that is a combination of Catholic and West African beliefs. Astrology plays a part as well.

Although in many homes Spanish is spoken to the exclusion of English, some second and third generation Hispanics have adopted numerous western cultural patterns. You need to assess the level of this acculturation in order to get direction on how to effectively minister. Intergenerational conflicts may be due to this acculturation. Help parents understand children’s acculturation process. Focus on the positive aspects of both cultures. Recognize that if a value norm is not sin against God, it doesn’t need to be changed. It might just be a different way of life. The more acculturated, the more easily counsel is sought. If you have a question while ministering, ask.

Hispanics tend to view Anglo Americans as “cold.” It is important to be person-oriented rather than task-focused. People are much more important than things and achievements. “Being” is preferred to “acting.” You must connect first. Hugs are culturally accepted and communicate importance and connection. Be interested in the person. Sit close to the person. Develop a relationship. Less acculturated Hispanic Americans expect a more formal relationship. Recognize that time has little relevance with many Hispanics. Anglos who are concerned with time constraints can be perceived as over-scheduled and uncaring.

In ministering to a man, connection is critical. You must have a strong relationship before you will have his permission to ask personal questions such as about sexuality. This type of questioning can cause great anxiety coming from a disconnected person. Also, it is difficult to work through past issues with a man regarding family, especially with “mom.” No one talks bad about my mom!

In ministering to a woman recognize that when a woman seeks counsel, it can generate tension with the husband. If the couple is being counseled, the wife may hesitate to provide information out of respect and honor her husband.

Theologically, lead counselees who come from a Catholic background from Mary to focus on Jesus. Begin with an emphasis on Jesus’ human nature (his sufferings) to show how He understands the counselee’s pain (Heb. 4:15-16). Connect the counselee with the church community. Give them biblical examples in order to help the embrace the Truth, and talk to them about God’s bigger plan for them. Help the Hispanic go from a fatalismo view to an action view as you help them realize the power of the God within them. Keep the cross at the center of any cross-cultural encounter. Remember that according to I Cor. 12:12-14 there is no superior culture.

Working With the Black Community

According to recent research, only 9% of the Black population believe that they are treated the same as White Americans. This information alone will have an impact on ministry. Be aware that you may have to jump the hurdle of mistrust before you can get to other issues. Anglos must take responsibility for the “sins of the fathers” as was done in Daniel 9:16. Although Anglos may not see themselves as prejudice, there must be a recognition that the forefathers were responsible for terrible atrocities.

  • Communication-African Americans are socialized to speak with great expression, to make direct and prolonged eye contact when speaking but not while listening, to interrupt and take turns speaking, to respond quickly, and to be more emotional and interpersonal in communicating. They can perceive critical comments given within Black families as caring and concern.If the Anglo is unaware of this socialization, the Blacks, and especially the Black woman may be perceived as rude.
  • African American women are emotionally stronger and more self-reliant than other women of color. Historically they have had to be strong. They have a cultural legacy of juggling multiple responsibilities and life stressors. They may not seek counsel for fear of being perceived as unstable or crazy. Because there is a tendency to be “superwoman”, counsel can be perceived as a weakness. African American women tend to seek help first from family, friends, and spiritual outlets. They do seek help more readily than the African American male. Research strongly suggests that when African Americans do enter counseling, they do so without viewing racism as their major problem and without seeing the minister’s different race as a significant deterrent to counseling. The African American culture is more of a Matriarchal System. Women are more likely to be family leaders. Women can also be the primary caregivers for their children and grandchildren due to the inability or unavailability of adult children being responsible parents.
  • African American man-There are certain dynamics that can be present in ministry to an African American and especially the Black male.
  • Powerlessness-Many African Americans feel powerless in considering the white cultural dominance. If you challenge them according to the dominant values, there will be little change and it is often perceived as hostile.
  • Anger/Fear-In a white dominant culture a black youth may feel devalued. They are often characterized as failures, are assumed to lack initiative, and are expected to rebel rather than achieve. This stereotype has produced black adult males who are understandably angry and aggressive.
  • At Risk Males-African American men face high rates of incarceration, substance abuse, and death by homicide. This, however, is NOT destiny.
  • Intraracial Discrimination-Mainstream jobs and higher-education systems favor black women over black men. Discrimination may be so prevalent that lighter-skin minorities are preferred over those with darker skin. Acculturated black families can even be discriminated by their culture of origin. Upper and middle-class blacks who choose to be identified with predominately white neighborhoods, workplaces, or schools are often disconnected from extended families and the black church.
  • Racial Glass Ceiling- Although illegal, career progression can be subtle, and those who do succeed will face ridicule from their own culture if they don’t reach in and help others in their old community.
  • Isolation and marginalization-

Anglo ministers need to recognize that some of these dynamics may come into play in a ministry session. It is important to earn the trust of the counselee gradually. If you don’t know what something means, ask for understanding. African Americans have a strong religious orientation but many do not see the connection to a personal relationship with Jesus and how lives are changed as a result.

Counseling-Many African Americans see relationship as being morally responsible to each other. This is especially true in a counseling relationship. The minister and counselee are bound together both emotionally and spiritually. When a minister is not active, advice giving, or does not give specific suggestions/instructions to a Black counselee, it could be interpreted that the minister is uncaring, uninvolved, insincere, and even dishonest. Often, the most important counselor characteristic for African Americans is a counselor who is culturally sensitive. He/she is one who acknowledges the possibility that race or culture might play a role in the counselee’s problem. Sometimes, especially with Black youth, telling a story is a good way to connect to a problem. Old Testament Bible stories are a good source.

Creating the Culturally Diverse Church

In order to more accurately reflect the kingdom of God churches need to be more culturally diverse. Providing an inclusive atmosphere takes effort. This must be done through

  • Inclusive Worship-worship needs to draw from many backgrounds. We can all learn to worship in different ways.
  • Diverse Leadership-Cultural representation should be present on staff at multiple levels.
  • Specific Diversity Goals-A “think tank” would be a great way to begin germinating ideas.
  • Intentionality and Purposefulness-A diverse church doesn’t just happen. It must be created.
  • Diverse Thinking in Leadership-Listen to all ideas about inclusion from all levels of staff.
  • Location in Areas That Lend Itself to Diverse Populations-The church may need to go to the community in the form of satellite services, bus routes, etc.
  • Adaptability to Incoming Groups-Find out what incoming groups need. Learn their culture and history. Listen to the stories. Don’t make assumptions about needs and be cautious about invalidating needs simply because you do not believe it is a need.
  • Recognize Faulty Perceptions-It is not being different that is the problem, but the perception of being different that lays at the base of the problems encountered by many racial minorities. Without awareness and knowledge of race, culture, and ethnicity, you could unintentionally engage in cultural oppression.

Over the next half century the traditional white majority and people of color will become increasingly interdependent and must learn to live together, work together, and help each other in order to ensure everyone’s survival. We must cross the racial and cultural barriers to serve one another.