A four-dimensional approach to the training of lay missionaries for cross-cultural service.

摘要

The purpose of the Project in Ministry was to research, design, implement and evaluate three major elements of the Swiss Bethlehem Mission Society's formation program for lay missionaries: Anthropology, Ecclesiology, and Spirituality. These three disciplines were considered under the overarching theme of biculturalism. The presupposition is that missionaries need to acquire a bicultural perspective, if they wish to be effective.;The Project proposed that missionaries have to go through an acculturation process which is characterized by four dimensions: Wissen; Verstehen; Respektieren; Lieben (know; understand; respect; love). These steps or dimensions are not meant to be rigid stages which one has to go through automatically and necessarily in this sequence. The stages allow for a dynamic switching back and forth, or for a cyclic movement.;This Project Report is divided into two sections. Section One: describes the design and implementation of three workshops based on the research in Section Two: Chapter I presents a report on a Vorbereitungskurs at the Basel Mission. Chapter II gives an account of an Ausreisekurs in Luzern, and Chapter III describes an Ausreisekurs in Immensee.;Five Appendices in Section Two provide the theoretical basis for the Project: Appendix 1 addresses the question of biculturalism on the level of the individual missionary who tries to become acculturated. Appendix 2 relates the theme of biculturalism to the Gospel. Appendix 3 explores the complex field of Church and culture. Appendix 4 singles out the community model of the Church as a particularly beneficial model for the acculturation process. Appendix 5 discusses biculturalism in relation to spirituality.;Appendix 6 presents the D. Min. Project Proposal. The next three Appendices outline the three programs. Appendix 10 gives the evaluation forms. A selected bibliography is at the end of the Project Report.;The oral and written evaluations by participants and Kursleiter indicated that this Project made a significant contribution to the training program of lay missionaries and its findings will be utilized in future programs.