C.Lirette CUL 2200 - Introduction to Cultural Studies Prof.

Craig Jones 6/4/2021

READING REPORT WORKSHEET (8-1)

Reading: Cross-Cultural Servanthood (Chapters 4,5,6)

Please answer the following four (4) questions in response to your reading during a
select week. You may only complete one report per week. Please see the course
syllabus for more instructions

1. Give three or four observations/comments/reactions to the reading by way of carefully

crafted sentences, demonstrating that you have engaged with the overall content of the text.
You can cite a quote, but you should expand on the quote with your own thinking or critique –
you may be critical (“I think that…”) or merely descriptive (“The author says…”).
“Openness is the ability to welcome people into your presence and make them feel
safe” (Elmers 39). It is amazing to me how instrumental gentleness, an open mind, and
hospitality are in helping to connect with people of other cultures.

I have never really thought about the intersection of acceptance, dignity, and worth. I
think that Elmers really helps to drive the point home and challenge his readers when
he says, “Unconditional, continuous acceptance then is based on the fact that God has
bestowed dignity and worth on every human being. Thus we have no choice” (Elmers
62).
I felt gut punched when I read Elmers story on page 63 about the “person…in
prostitution.” His friend’s small correction really helps to drive the point home about
people. All too often we can categorize people and attribute classifications, status,
worth, etc. to the title that we give them: Liberal, Conservative, Illegal Immigrant,
criminal, etc. AS believers we are called to fight this compulsion, Matt. 25:36-40.
I think one other aspect of the reading that really stood out to me was Elmers’ story
about teaching about forgiveness in Sudan. It is amazing how the act of forgiveness
looked in a different culture. As well as the doors to hearts and minds that were
opened, just by listening to people with a different perspective.

2. State two or three questions you have that may require further study, or that you would like
to hear more discussion around. Each one of your questions must include a) a clear question
and b) 1-2 sentences of discussion/further description. Provide specific citations, if possible.

Is it possible to train myself out of making judgements too quickly? If so, can the

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C.Lirette CUL 2200 - Introduction to Cultural Studies Prof. Craig Jones 6/4/2021

Church also be taught to do the same? It seems to me everyone struggles with

categorizing people and negative attribution based on the reading. Elmers gives some
ways to help a single person root out this behavior such as suspending our judgements
on pages 50-52, is it possible to teach this on a mass scale?
I wonder how the culture of rejection that Dallas Willard talks about has infected the
Church? How can pastors, teachers, leaders, etc. begin to parse the difference
between the culture and our faith in churches and on Sunday mornings? There are
aspects of cultures that are not in line with our faith. A culture of rejection is just one
way in which our culture is not in line with Scripture.

3. Give one or two stories/examples from your own experience - such as "This reminds me of
a time when ..." In other words, try to relate the theory to your own life experiences or
ministry practices.
It seems like openness, acceptance, and trust are all related. Believers need to be
open to other cultures, which leads to acceptance, which leads to trust. I remember
going through this process when I was a Christian camp counselor. We met with a wide
and diverse group of kids. Some were kids with arthritis, AIDS, or with parents in jail.
We were open about our struggles, tried to reserve judgement, and accept the kids for
who they were, and it opened up opportunities for true connection and fellowship.

I remember walking with a friend of mine away from a conference we were attending. I
struggled to understand how he (a conservative) could go to a liberal seminary. One of
the things that he told me is that some people are needed to be the bridge between
different groups. That concept has stuck with me to this day and is reinforced in a
different way by our reading/lessons.

4. Your strongest "Aha!"—you might include a sentence or two that would make a good quote
from your reading if you were using it in a longer paper. Explain why this was a new insight for
you, why it is important, how will it help you develop more knowledge on the subject.
“In most parts of the world seeking forgiveness the Western way only makes the
situation worse. Shame, honor and saving face are core values in other cultures, and
when violated, the relationship usually breaks. Forgiveness will repair the damage, but
it must be contextually understood.” I remember listening to this on Audible and having
a moment where I needed to rewind and listen to it again. I never thought something as
simple as forgiveness could be interpreted differently in other cultures. It was then that I

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C.Lirette CUL 2200 - Introduction to Cultural Studies Prof. Craig Jones 6/4/2021

realized just how different cultures could be. In a sense it revealed just how much I
don’t know and that helped to open things up for me.