Cross-Cultural Conflict: Building Relationships for Effective Ministry

Duane Elmer's book Cross-Cultural Conflict is an important book intended to "clarify issues in intercultural and interracial conflict, to provide insights on different ways people of various cultures handle conflict, and to evaluate these approaches according to Scripture" (pg. 22). Elmer also seeks to "provide practical guidelines for (1) helping people live harmoniously with our cultural differences, (2) developing a positive strategy for dealing with conflict, and (3) communicating the gospel of Jesus Christ more effectively and ministering the nurturing grace of God (pg. 22).

The first section stresses that learning to live harmoniously with people is an issue of learning to accept cultural differences and remembering the importance of unity as taught in the Bible. It is important to remember that God places a high priority on the importance of relationships and if we fail to reflect God's heart in this area we will risk undermining our ability to effectively communicate the gospel.

The second section of the book offers several strategies for positively dealing with conflict. Elmer's approach is for the missionary to utilize the method of dealing with conflict in the particular cultural setting one is in. It is important to realize the there is no necessarily one right way of handling conflict but rather different ways. The missionary needs to place a higher priority on relationships than winning and learn to use culturally appropriate means of conflict resolution.

The final sections give very practical guidelines in the form of principles for managing conflict. Elmer offers ten general rules for dealing with conflict along with eight principles for dealing with cross-cultural resolution. These steps when used together allow for the effective building of relationships and allows for the possibility of the gospel message to bring healing in various cultures around the world.

Elmer does a great job of balancing general advice with practical examples. Many books suffer from general advice that one is hard pressed to apply while other books give lots of specific examples that you cannot apply to your particular situation.

The first section of the book deals with understanding conflict and culture. This deals with the subject in a general way. He looks at five popular western ways of approaching a troublesome situation: win-lose, avoidance, giving in, compromise, and carefronting. He suggests that all are western and need to be modified in other cultures. The second section gets to the heart of the matter and provides information on using mediation and mediators; the one-down position and vulnerability; storytelling and proverbs; and inaction, misdirection, silence, and indefinite persons. A number of cultures are used as examples: African, Middle Eastern, and Asian.

The third and final section provides a series of principles which are in wide use such as speak to the problem, not the person. The conclusion consists of ten general rules and eight principles for dealing with cross-cultural conflict. On the whole, a book well worth reading.

Before I moved to Bangkok, Thailand in 1996 to teach at an International School, friends loaned me their copy of this book. It opened my eyes. A few years later, a professor in my graduate studies required that I read it again. I did so gladly. I cited this book favorably in my thesis and highly recommend it to any Westerner who will work with non-Westerners.

Duane Elmer first helps Americans understand their own typical conflict resolution style. Then he surveys conflict resolution styles of non-Western cultures. More than that, he shows how the Bible upholds each of these styles as viable options for conflict resolution.

I found this to be a well written book that introduced some basic concepts in intercultural communication through personal stories and easy to read discussion of the concepts. Elmer shows us the many contrasts between Western Culture and Two-Thirds World cultures and provides concise suggestions on how to navigate the differences successfully. I especially appreciated a chapter he devoted to a study of an episode from the book of Joshua which illustrated a Biblical model of successful conflict resolution. While this book is not comprehensive in its approach it is informative and easy reading.

I found this to be a well written book that introduced some basic concepts in intercultural communication through personal stories and easy to read discussion of the concepts. Elmer shows us the many contrasts between Western Culture and Two-Thirds World cultures and provides concise suggestions on how to navigate the differences successfully. I especially appreciated a chapter he devoted to a study of an episode from the book of Joshua which illustrated a Biblical model of successful conflict resolution. While this book is not comprehensive in its approach it is informative and easy reading.