Cross-Cultural Missional Partnership: Mediating Relational, Cultural, and Hermeneutical Tensions for Mutual, Faithful Missional Engagement (American Society of Missiology Monograph Series)

Cross-cultural partnerships in today's global environment are both challenging and necessary. Misunderstanding and miscommunication often lead to conflict between culturally diverse groups. Christians must understand and evaluate their own culture, the culture of others, and the text of Scripture itself, while remaining faithful to Scripture and relevant to culture. Unmediated tensions combined with relational isolation lead to a myriad of problems.
This study proposes cross-cultural missional partnership as a relationship that mediates these tensions, thereby encouraging mutual, faithful engagement in the mission of God. Cross-cultural tensions may never disappear, but within a healthy partnership, partners can assist one another in understanding and responding faithfully to Scripture. Partners help one another more faithfully interpret and apply Scripture, leading to obedience to God's will and engagement in God's mission within unique and diverse contexts.
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"I am convinced we must partner with other believers around the world if we want to reach the nations. Joshua Bowman, a missionary scholar with a heart for the nations, helps us recognize and address tensions inherent within these partnerships so they might function best in fulfilling the Great Commission. Whether you are forming partnerships around the world or within our increasingly diverse context of North America, you will find the insights and principles in this book helpful."
--Chuck Lawless, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

"While cross-cultural partnership presents unique difficulties and plenty of opportunities for misunderstanding, Joshua Bowman provides a rich theological and practical articulation of why it remains not only worthwhile but necessary for missions to be conducted in terms of partnership. I commend his work to you and trust that it will bear much fruit."
--Matthew Bennett, Cedarville University

"This book reflects the practical wisdom of a missionary practitioner and the thoughtful analysis of a missionary theologian. Bowman recognizes the tensions that arise in cross-cultural missionary partnerships and gives a thoughtful strategy for mediating them, along with a theological basis for such partnerships. This is a book highly recommended for those who plan to engage or who are currently engaged in cross-cultural ministry."
--John S. Hammett, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

"During his many years as a missionary in an African context and then a South Asian context, Bowman witnessed the destructive nature of lopsided cross-cultural relationships. In this monograph, he interjects a much-needed voice into the conversation about the place of Western missionaries in a world where the center of Christianity has shifted to the Global South. I heartily endorse Bowman's careful analysis, deep concern for the health of the global church, and gospel-informed suggestions."
--Joe M. Allen III, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joshua Bowman holds a PhD in missiology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and is assistant professor of missions and theology at Cedarville University. He served with his wife Amy and their four children in Zambia and South Asia with the International Mission Board for seventeen years as a church planter, church-strengthening strategist, and team leader. Read more Continue reading Read less