Books and Booklets

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CROSS-CULTURAL DANGERS

This 16-page booklet is written to help Christians to identify and deal with some of the most fundamental threats to ministering across cultures in a fruitful and God-honouring way. In particular, the following dangers are exposed, explained and addressed: the danger of cultural identity, the danger of cultural distance, the dangers of ethnocentrism and racism, the danger of cultural misinterpretation, and the danger of friendly fire. The booklet closes with proposed applications, recommended reading and some questions for individual or group study.

"WHOEVER" IS A MUSLIM

This 16-page booklet is written to give Christians a basic sense of the world in which our Muslim friends live. It takes a bird’s eye view of Islam’s attraction, history, beliefs and practices. It looks at what it means to be a Muslim in a multicultural society. It promotes positive measures for Christians to adopt in relating to their Muslim friends. This booklet begins with facing the challenge posed by Islam. It considers how it competes for the allegiance of people, the historical forces which have shaped Islam in the past and are currently at play, Islamic beliefs and practice, and the place of Muslims in multicultural Australia. Next comes a brief outline of the biblical challenge facing Christians. The third section involves Christians accepting the challenge posed by Islam - the importance of living the life, comparing and contrasting Christianity and Islam, and identifying some key things that need to be said to Christians as they seek to respond to Islam. The booklet closes with some recommended reading and a set of questions to be reflected upon either in personal or group study.

"WHOEVER" IS A BUDDHIST

This 16-page booklet is written to give Christians a basic sense of the world in which our Buddhist friends live. It takes a bird’s eye view of Buddhism’s attraction, history, beliefs and practices. It looks at what it means to be a Buddhist in a multicultural society. It promotes positive measures for Christians to adopt in relating to their Buddhist friends. This booklet begins with facing the challenge posed by Buddhism. It considers how it competes for the allegiance of people, the historical forces which have shaped Buddhism in the past and are currently at play, Buddhist beliefs and practice, and the place of Buddhists in multicultural Australia. Next comes a brief outline of the biblical challenge facing Christians. The third section involves Christians accepting the challenge posed by Buddhism - the importance of living the life, comparing and contrasting Christianity and Buddhism, and identifying some key things that need to be said to Christians as they seek to respond to Buddhism. The booklet closes with some recommended reading and a set of questions to be reflected upon either in personal or group study.

"WHOEVER" DOESN'T SPEAK ENGLISH WELL

This 12-page booklet is written to give Christians an appreciation for the difficulties encountered by migrants who are severely limited in their ability to communicate in English. The challenge this poses is intensified by other factors such as age, inter-generational relationships and various ways in which migrants may be discouraged from learning English. Christians are challenged to respond to such needs, with practical advice being given about the numerous ways in which Christians can help such migrants and reach out to them. The booklet closes with some recommended resources and a set of questions to be reflected upon either in personal or group study.

ESSENTIALS UNVEILED

This 16-page booklet introduces four essential realities with which Christians must wrestle if there is to be fruitful, God-honouring ministry across cultures: motivation, models, maxims and method. The booklet identifies reasons why motivation is often lacking to engage in ministry across cultures. It also proves an overview of the different types of models churches may adopt in approaching ministry across cultures. A number of key maxims or principles for effective ministry across cultures are also identified, with a particular focus on the need to cut down cultural distance. By way of a proposed methodology, eight stepping stones are recommended for developing church-based ministry across cultures. The booklet ends with some recommended resources and questions for individual or group reflection.

"WHOEVER" IS A HINDU

This booklet is written to give Christians a basic sense of the world in which our Hindu friends live. It takes a bird’s eye view of Hinduism’s attraction, history, beliefs and practices. It looks at what it means to be a Hindu in multicultural Australia. It promotes positive measures for Christians to adopt in relating to their Hindu friends.

It begins by recognizing the growing presence of Hinduism in Australian society and culture. The complexity of Hinduism is considered, along with historical forces. Attention is given to Hindu Scriptures, deities and sects, Hindu worship (puja)and the veneration of animals, pilgrimage, and the caste system. Next we look at Hindu views concerning life-goals, and the ultimate goal of moksha, “liberation”, looking at the paths that enable attainment of this. There is also comment on reincarnation, the sacred symbol of Hinduism, Hinduism and discipline, and Hinduism and extremism. We conclude with some comparisons and contrasts between Hinduism and Christianity, remarks on the Biblical challenge posed by Hinduism and some things for Christians to bear in mind as they relate to Hindu friends.

CHANGING LANES: EQUIPPING CHRISTIANS & CHURCHES FOR MINISTRY IN A CULTURALLY DIVERSE SOCIETY

“All major Australian cities (metropolitan and regional) are now profoundly multicultural and many rural communities have their pockets of new Australians. We Christians feel that we should reach across our local cultures but are clueless about how to start.

This book is written to help Australians change lanes and reach the cultures next door. The three writers bring a variety of global and local cross-cultural experiences and this enriches the book.

The book is designed to help local Australian churches understand the cultures around them and make connections for the sake of Jesus. It has a workbook format and is designed for use by groups.

The six modules…are not so much a ‘how-to’ textbook, but rather a guide to help local churches figure out what is going on in their community and make the connections.

That’s the strength of the book – it’s a tool not a blueprint. This book is a timely and useful tool to help Australian churches transfer ministry wisdom from overseas mission to the local scene. It will be on my course lists.” David Burke, Lecturer in Ministry and Practice at Christ College, Sydney.

If you want to print the booklets below (not the books), I recommend:

1. From "Printer Properties" choose "booklet option."

2. They look best if you print from A4 to A3.

3. If possible, use a printer that does "saddle-stitching" (automatically places staples in the middle of the booklet).

4. For the best look use glossy A3 paper for the whole booklet or at least for the front cover.

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