WHEN YOU CROSS CULTURES - World Evangelical Alliance

BUILDING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
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Personality assessment helps cross-cultural workers to understand their
source of emotional satisfaction, their sensitivity to environment, tasks and
people, and their capacity to adapt to social situations. Knowing their
personalities enables workers to develop strengths and modify patterns of
behaviour. Building healthy interpersonal relationships and learning to relate
constructively will prevent unnecessary conflicts and tensions on the field.
Above all, the worker needs to draw from spiritual resources already
available. Daily fellowship with God is essential, for the fundamental answer
to stress is found in the believer’s inner focus on God Himself.
Pastoral supervision is vital to ensure that workers on the field are
encouraged and cared for.
FOR BIBLE STUDY AND DISCUSSION
1. Most field workers are accustomed to hard work. What constitutes “balanced
priorities” for such workers? Discuss how “balance” can prevent stress overloads.
2. Why is it important to know oneself in order to handle stress? What
personality traits make a person more prone to stress? Why is it needful to
have a realistic estimate of one's abilities and capacities?
Romans 12:3
Galatians 6:3, 4
1 Corinthians 15:10, 11
3. Cross-cultural workers need encouragement. Even great pioneers like the
Apostle Paul needed it. Try and picture the scene when the arrival of Titus
encouraged Paul in 2 Corinthians 2:13; 7:5-7, 13-16. Describe what may have
transpired. How can you encourage workers from your church?
4. Hebrews 13:17 gives an injunction about leadership. How can this be applied
to workers on the field in their relationship to supervisors or leaders? How
might supervisors fulfil their roles in providing pastoral care and ensuring the
prevention of stress overloads?
5. How would you practically draw upon God’s resources to overcome stress?
How would this be applicable to someone regularly facing stress on the field?