Rick Richardson wrote “Preaching Across the Great Divides”, an article in Leadership Journal Spring 2005 (pages 47 – 49) focusing on ways to close today’s ethnic, gender and generation gaps.
Rick talks about the lessons he’s learned in inter-cultural communication as he’s talked with African American, Asian American, Hispanic groups. While most of the focus of his article is on obvious cultural differences he provides parallels for people attempting to cross gender and generational barriers.
Rick’s seven learning points:
1. Acknowledge the trust issues. If there are previous hurts, don’t attempt to gloss over them.
2. Use their heart language. Rick gives examples of the family orientation of the Hispanic culture and hip hop music for young people.
3. Honor what they honor. Rick writes about cultures that honor time (punctuality) and cultures that honor event (process).
4. Become a good storyteller. Stories can communicate where propositional truth fails to connect.
5. Cultivate cultural ‘informants’. Rick cites Brenda Salter McNeil’s practice of honoring everybody who has brought her to a particular community, as well as significant leaders.
6. Learn how they affirm. Rick contrasts the quiet politeness of the Koreans with the overt call and response approach used in African American contexts.
7. Do what you came to do. Preachers have the privilege of communicating in ways that encourage and challenge. Rick encourages us not to neglect that privilege.
Rick Richardson is Director of Masters in Evangelism and Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies and Evangelism at Wheaton College. At the time of writing he was the associate director for evangelism with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He is an ordained priest with the Anglican Mission in America.
Rick is the author of books on evangelism, spirituality, sexuality, healing prayer, and experiencing God. He is the co-author, with Brenda Salter McNeil, of The Heart of Racial Justice: How Soul Change Leads to Social Change”, IVP, 2004. He’s currently researching ‘Evangelism and the Emerging Culture’, along with ‘Spiritual Capital and Short Term Mission Projects’. He has a book ready for publication, “The Mentor Model of Evangelism: New Pictures and Practices for Sharing Our Faith.”