Living Mission Interculturally

Our globalized world increasingly brings together people of many different cultures, though not always harmoniously. In recent decades, multinational companies have sought more efficient strategies for authentic intercultural collaboration. But in today's multicultural world-church, faith communities too—from local parishes to international religious communities—are faced with the challenge of intercultural living. The social sciences have developed some constructive approaches, but people of faith also need to build their endeavors on a sound biblical and theological foundation. Living Mission Interculturally integrates sociology/anthropology with practical theology, reminds us that good will alone is not enough to effect change, and points to a way of intercultural living underpinned by faith, virtue, and a range of new and appropriate skills.

Originally published as 2 volumes; this volume selected articles. Delhi: Steyler Missionswissenschaftliches Institut: ISPCK, 2015.

Our globalized world increasingly brings together people of many different cultures, though not always harmoniously. In recent decades, multinational companies have sought more efficient strategies for authentic intercultural collaboration. But in today's multicultural world-church, faith communities too--from local parishes to international religious communities--are faced with the challenge of intercultural living. The social sciences have developed some constructive approaches, but people of faith also need to build their endeavors on a sound biblical and theological foundation. Living Mission Interculturally integrates sociology/anthropology with practical theology, reminds us that good will alone is not enough to effect change, and points to a way of intercultural living underpinned by faith, virtue, and a range of new and appropriate skills.

Keeping in mind that interracial and interethnic marriages have increased steadily for the past forty years, this book offers guiding principles for dealing pastorally with the challenge of making sacramental unions culturally and generationally relevant for today's church.

In our ways of living and working, the perspectives on mission are enriched. This book explores these aspects in three parts: The first part is dedicated to the sources of our intellectual life and mission, where the themes of the love of God, the rootedness in the Word, and our commitment to mission are dealt with. The second part deals with the ad intra aspects of intercultural living. The relationships between personality and culture are investigated. Spirituality, community, leadership, finance and formation are some of the themes that are studied which would help towards intercultural living. The third part deals with more practical aspects of doing mission interculturally. The areas of ecology, social media and family are explored as well as demands on formation and proper preparation for intercultural mission are elucidated. Becoming intercultural is a challenge as well as an opportunity which enriches mission.

Leading practitioners, theologians, and psychologists from across the globe engage the essential topic of intercultural life today. They explore key areas needed for communities of consecrated life to engage the gift of diversity in their community life and ministries, emphasizing the necessary motivation, spirituality, and ongoing process of conversion from all forms of ethnocentrism and racism.

With the development of instantaneous global communication, it is vital to communicate effectively across cultural boundaries. This addition to the acclaimed Encountering Mission series is designed to offer contemporary intercultural communication insights to mission students and practitioners. Authored by leading missionary scholars with significant intercultural experience, the book explores the cultural values that show up in intercultural communication and examines how we can communicate effectively in a new cultural setting. Features such as case studies, tables, figures, and sidebars are included, making the book useful for classrooms.