The Beauty of Partnership Study Guide

Transcription

1 NAME DATE The Beauty of Partnership Study Guide STANDARD EDITION 1

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3 Character Culture Competence The Beauty of Partnership Study Guide STANDARD EDITION Equipping followers of Jesus Christ for healthy cross-cultural partnerships to bring hope to the peoples of the world Werner Mischke, Designer/Editor VERSION 1.0 3

4 Copyright 2010 Mission ONE All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means for example, electronic, photocopy, recording without the prior written permission of Mission ONE. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews. Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are from the The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America Mission ONE, Inc. PO Box 5960 Scottsdale, AZ U.S.A

5 CONTENTS Preface... 2 Acknowledgements... 3 Authors and their work used in this curriculum... 4 Introduction: Here s what to expect... 5 GODLY CHARACTER Part 1 Servanthood... 9 Part 2 Listening CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE (CQ) Part 3 Trust Part 4 Both/And ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCE The Beauty of Partnership Study Guide Part 5 Accountability Part 6 Appreciation STANDARD EDITION READINGS Articles A Model for Cross-Cultural Partnership, Werner Mischke To Catch the Wind: A New Metaphor for Cross-Cultural Partnership, Alex Araujo, Mary Lederleitner, and Werner Mischke A Multi-Dimensional Interpretation of the Sailboat- Powerboat Metaphor, Jon Lewis and Werner Mischke Book excerpts An excerpt from Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility, Duane Elmer An excerpt from The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything, Stephen M.R. Covey An excerpt from Cultural Intelligence: A Guide to Working with People from Other Cultures, Brooks Peterson An excerpt from Making Your Partnership Work, Daniel Rickett An excerpt from Walking With the Poor: Principles and Practices of Transformational Development, Bryant Myers NOTE: The full content of these articles and book excerpts do not necessarily reflect the views of Mission ONE. Moreover, while the majority of authors used in this study are evangelical Christians, some authors are not; nevertheless, Mission ONE believes that all truth is ultimately God s truth, and that the material included in this study offers valuable insights for cross-cultural partnership ministry. ADDENDUM Other Resources Example of a quarterly report from a Mission ONE partner Character Culture Competence

6 Preface (FROM THE EDITOR S INTERVIEW WITH MALCOLM HARTNELL, FEBRUARY 4, 2009) Until I met Bob Schindler and Werner Mischke with Mission ONE, I have to admit I was very skeptical of groups involved in so-called partnership ministry. I have seen so very often where partnership is defined from the Western perspective. Often non-biblical models are used with a few Bible verses added on to give it a Christian flavor. But that s not true of Mission ONE, and it s not true of this curriculum. This study is thoroughly biblical; you see the value of how God has blessed American culture, but you recognize American culture isn t everything God has blessed other cultures as well. You want to bring together believers into partnership in the truest sense of the word, and it s the synergy from these Malcolm R. Hartnell, PhD, has partnerships that is such a strong force for the Great Commission, and for served full time in cross-cultural God s kingdom around the world. You do a great job facilitating that ministry since He and his wife, process both from the American and the non-american side. So often, well-intentioned aid efforts, whether they are Christian or Peggy, served for 17 years among non-christian, don t take the time to understand the cultural context that the Digo, a Muslim people group in they are going to be working in. So they come with great ideas that work Kenya. Malcolm has been a resident in America but they don t work well in other cultural scenes. So I faculty member at Phoenix appreciate so very much your perspective at Mission ONE. First of all, you Seminary since He completed have leaders with cross-cultural ministry experience; that s key. Secondly, his Ph.D. program in Intercultural you want to do a quality job you are encouraging and training people to Studies at Fuller Theological do a quality job in a way that is pleasing to God. You are teaching people Seminary in Malcolm divides to avoid coming in like a bull in a China shop or trying to start from his year between segments of scratch. Rather, you are training them to recognize the value of people ministry among the Digo in Kenya, from other cultures how God has gifted them what they bring to the among Turkish peoples in Turkey, table how we can work together in order to accomplish what God and in Phoenix, Arizona. wants us to do for his church around the world. I believe that North American Christians if they go through this NOTE: Malcolm Hartnell served as the curriculum will be so much more effective for the kingdom than they professor under whom the editor did would be if they had not undergone this training. They ll be culturally more wise, they ll be more patient with themselves and the people they the research for this curriculum in a work with. With this training, relationship and servanthood are four-credit independent study course paramount, and these things take time. It takes time to build in the fall relationships, to show humility toward each other and to learn from each other. But what God can do as a result of that is tremendous. Phoenix, Arizona Prof. Malcolm Hartnell February

7 Acknowledgments I am indebted to these friends and colleagues without whom this Study Guide would not have been possible: Bob Schindler, under whom it has been my privilege to serve at Mission ONE. His deep commitment to help the dreams of our national missionary partners come true is central to Mission ONE. It was also his idea for a training resource called The Beauty of Partnership. Ed Smith, whose organizational coaching for Mission ONE has been catalytic for getting me rightly aligned with my passions and skills, and who believes strongly in empowering Christian entrepreneurs for world missions. Mary Lederleitner, who encouraged me to study adult learning theory and introduced me to the work of Jane Vella, the leading practitioner and author in adult learning. It has been a joy to work with Mary on the COSIM steering committee. Alex Araujo, who, as a missions consultant and practitioner, introduced to me the powerboat/sailboat metaphor for cross-cultural partnership. I have grown to highly esteem Alex for his biblical wisdom and insight in the practice of cross-cultural partnerships. Werner Mischke 3

8 Authors and their work used in this curriculum This curriculum is built largely on the work of highly respected strategic thinkers, mission and business practitioners, educators and Christian leaders. We are deeply indebted to the authors listed below. It is by God s grace and their published work that this curriculum is possible. As part of this study, learners will read portions of the books listed below. Duane Elmer: Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2006) Stephen M.R. Covey: The Speed of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything (New York: Free Press, 2006) Bryant L. Myers: Walking With the Poor: Principles and Practices of Transformational Development, (Maryknoll: Orbis, 1999) Brooks Peterson: Cultural Intelligence: A Guide to Working with People from Other Cultures (Boston: Intercultural Press, 2004) Daniel Rickett: Making Your Partnership Work (Enumclaw, WA: WinePress Publishing, 2002) Other authors represented in the Readings section at the back of this Study Guide are: Alex Araujo, Jon Lewis, Mary Lederleitner, and Werner Mischke. NOTE: The full content of the articles and book excerpts contained in this study do not necessarily reflect the views of Mission ONE. Moreover, while the majority of authors used in this study are evangelical Christians, some authors are not; nevertheless, Mission ONE believes that all truth is ultimately God s truth, and that the material included in this study offers valuable insights for cross-cultural partnership ministry. 4

9 INTRODUCTION: Here s what to expect from The Beauty of Partnership learning journey T HE BEAUTY OF PARTNERSHIP, STANDARD EDITION is a specially designed missional learning journey which introduces you to the principles and practices of healthy cross-cultural partnership. Many of the learning tasks with which you will be engaged are experience-oriented. Jesus Christ was a master teacher. Jesus embodied Truth, and he understood perfectly how people learn and change. He gave extremely effective learning lessons to his disciples. His approach to teaching involved doing, not just talking. Likewise, this study provides much new insight and knowledge, but also invites you into engaging dialog and challenging experiences. This blend of new information, discussion and experience are designed to help you truly succeed. Our intent is that you will know you have learned because you will have done it. Three components, six objectives There are three overlapping sections which form the core ideas of The Beauty of Partnership: 1) godly character, 2) cultural intelligence, and 3) organizational competence. Each of the three sections contains two parts (in the Standard Edition), comprising a total of six sets of learning lessons. 1 The learning lessons are designed to fulfill achievement-based objectives. Each of the six lesson sets has a key word and a related achievement-based objective. They are as follows: 1 2 Godly Character Organizational Competence 3 Cultural Intelligence THREE SECTIONS FOR THE BEAUTY OF PARTNERSHIP 1 The Ambassador Edition of The Beauty of Partnership has a total of twelve sets of learning lessons. For more information visit: 5

10 6 THE BEAUTY OF PARTNERSHIP STUDY GUIDE 1 2 Godly Character Godly Character Organizational Competence Organizational Competence 3 Cultural Intelligence 1 2 Godly Character Organizational Competence 3 Cultural Intelligence Cultural Intelligence GODLY CHARACTER (principally humility) Servanthood: Examine the servanthood of Jesus Christ and the metaphor of powerboat/sailboat as it relates to serving a crosscultural partnership. Listening: Develop empathic listening skills necessary for healthy cross-cultural partnership. CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE (principally understanding deeply) Trust: Experience the process of openness leading to acceptance leading to trust all vital for cross-cultural partnership ministry. Both/And: Distinguish either/or thinking from both/and thinking while identifying your own cultural style and how it compares to that of a majority-world ministry partner. ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCE (principally wise practice) Accountability: Examine the practices of healthy accountability between cross-cultural partners, and understand the principles which undergird them. Appreciation: Discover the discipline of Appreciative Inquiry, and apply to a real or imaginary cross-cultural partnership. The goal of this study is for you to develop the basic knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSAs) to facilitate a healthy cross-cultural partnership. In turn, you will be able to make a huge difference in bringing hope to families, communities and nations through the transforming love of Christ. Growth is a slow process We like it when good things happen fast like a quick drive to the store to get just what we need like reserving a surprisingly inexpensive flight online, and everything goes smoothly like a visit to the ATM to make a deposit or get some cash it just works and it s easy. But human development is slow. When it comes to genuine personal growth, including the acquisition of new knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSAs), we all know it takes some time and practice. Another important factor is the encouragement of caring people; some call this accountability or community.

11 INTRODUCTION 7 You are investing significant resources to be a successful advocate for a cross-cultural partnership ministry. You want to be excellent in this arena. To get to excellence requires time, practice and encouragement from others. That is why you are strongly encouraged to go through this study in community perhaps as a small group preparing for a mission trip, or as individuals mutually committed to a particular cross-cultural partnership. It will be immeasurably richer if you do so. This study is a dynamic process that involves a step-by-step learning journey. It is designed to help you learn effectively. What you get out of this study depends largely on the degree to which you follow the process in this study guide/learning journey. The resources for an amazingly rich learning journey are here at your fingertips, but it is up to you to make the most of the journey. You are strongly encouraged to go through this study in community. The Beauty of Partnership website On your computer, bookmark the website that hosts The Beauty of Partnership intro videos: beautyofpartnership.org This site has: short video introductions about four minutes long for each of the six lessons in this study guide, and commentary posted by the editor of this study guide words of encouragement and insight for people involved in cross-cultural partnership ministry. A great challenge, but very doable The challenges of serving a cross-cultural partnership are great. The risks are substantial. The opposition to building our Lord s Church and expanding God s kingdom is real. Nevertheless, we believe that by God s grace, developing the skills to be a truly effective advocate for a crosscultural ministry partnership is very doable! I trust that this Study Guide will assist you well in a rewarding missional journey for the glory of God among the nations. Let s get started! Scottsdale, Arizona February 2010 Werner Mischke

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13 The basic premise is that we have a model of true servanthood in Christ, but we must follow him in his humble servant role, not in his Lord and Christ roles. Duane Elmer SECTION ONE Godly Character: What is the bedrock for beauty in partnerships? Following humbly our Lord Jesus Christ for the glory of God. 9 Servanthood SERVANTHOOD Part 1 Servanthood

14 10 T H E B E A U T Y O F PA R T N E R S H I P S T U D Y G U I D E GODLY C HARAC TER Summary of what you re exploring Section One Godly Character Question What is the bedrock for beauty in partnerships? The crux Following humbly our Lord Jesus Christ for the glory of God. Part Keyword Objective 1 Servanthood Examine the servanthood of Jesus Christ and the metaphor of powerboat/sailboat as it relates to serving a cross-cultural partnership. 2 Listening Develop empathic listening skills necessary for healthy cross-cultural ministry.

15 GODLY CHARACTER: SERVANTHOOD 11 PAR T 1 LESSON 1 GODLY CHARACTER PAR T ONE: SERVANTHOOD Looking ahead Look at the chart on the facing page. Here s what you ll be exploring. Circle which of the two lessons you imagine will be your favorite. Watch the intro video at: beautyofpartnership.org Select the video, Part 1: Servanthood. Start with what you already know Based on your experience, write some impressions you have concerning pride and humility: What is the effect on other people of leaders characterized by pride? What is the effect of leaders characterized by humility? Explain what you imagine is the connection between pride and control. I have a lot to be humble about : Write some thoughts below. At the end of each lesson is a place for a summary statement. At the end of each lesson series you ll build your own executive summary. What is the gist of what you have learned concerning humility? 1.1

16 12 THE BEAUTY OF PARTNERSHIP STUDY GUIDE Gazing at The Word 1 Now before the Feast of the Jesus: humble servant, our example Passover, when Jesus knew that his What does John 13:1 tell us about Jesus?... hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. What level of spiritual conflict do you imagine Jesus was dealing with? 2 During supper, when the devil had already put it into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon s son, to betray him, How does this passage reveal the deity of Jesus?... 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, Jesus laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Missions educator and author Duane Elmer 1 refers to the outer 4 rose from supper. He laid aside his garment or robe as a symbol of royalty and prominence, whereas the outer garments, and taking a towel, towel represents servanthood. Jesus laid aside his robe and took up a tied it around his waist. towel. What does this tell us about Jesus? 5 Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around How does this passage reveal the humanity of Jesus?... him. 13 You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, If Jesus washed your feet, what would you think and feel?... have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I What is the lesson of John 13:14 15?... have done to you. John 13:1 5, (ESV) SUMMARIZE: What is the main thing Jesus is saying to you through this lesson? See Duane Elmer: Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006), 22. PAR T 1 LESSON 2

17 GODLY CHARACTER: SERVANTHOOD 13 PAR T 1 LESSON 3 READING ITEM #1 Read & learn from others Read an excerpt from Duane Elmer s book, Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility pages in the Readings section of this study guide. From the reading Servanthood: Its Burden and Challenge identify one or two compelling things you discovered. Read pages 84 88, Servanthood: Choosing the Towel or the Robe, and identify one or two compelling things you discovered. The readings from Duane Elmer s book are really great! I love the honesty, the clear principles and real-life stories from his many years of crosscultural ministry. 3 Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:3 8 (ESV) SUMMARIZE: What is the main thing God is telling you from today s lesson?

18 14 THE BEAUTY OF PARTNERSHIP STUDY GUIDE PAR T 1 LESSON 4 READING ITEM #2 Read the short article, To Catch the Wind: A New Metaphor for Cross- Cultural Partnerships by Alex Araujo, Mary Lederleitner, and Werner Mischke, beginning on page 67 in the Readings section. We ll be referring back to the key ideas in this article other times in this study. As you read, circle or underline the ideas that strike you as important or interesting. Does anything in this article raise questions for you? If so, put a question mark in the margin. In your own words, describe the difference between a powerboat mindset and a sailboat mindset. Is there anything you particularly like or dislike about the powerboat mindset? Write down a few thoughts. Like:... Dislike:... Is there anything you particularly like or dislike about a sailboat mindset? Write down a few thoughts. Like:... Dislike:... From your life experience, think about a challenging situation when you took charge with a powerboat mindset. You made it happen largely on the basis of your own strength, skills, and know-how. Good for you: YOU SUCCEEDED! Quickly describe when, who, where, what and why. When:... Who:... Where:... What:... Why:...

19 GODLY CHARACTER: SERVANTHOOD 15 PAR T 1 LESSON 4 More from your life experience Think about a challenging situation when you took charge with a powerboat mindset. You tried to make it happen largely on the basis of your own strength, skills, and know-how. BUT YOU FELL SHORT OF SUCCESS! As hard as you tried, you could not control the outcome. Quickly describe when, who, where, what and why. When:... Who:... Where:... What:... Why:... From your experience think about a challenging situation when you were a leader with more of a sailboat mindset. You listened to God, you waited for His leading, you moved forward as a leader in God s timing, strength and wisdom. Combining that with your skills YOU SUCCEEDED! Quickly describe when, who, where, what and why. When:... Who:... Where:... What:... Why:... SUMMARIZE: What is the main idea you ve drawn from this lesson?... The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. John 3:8 (ESV) Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God. 2 Corinthians 3:5 (ESV) 1.4

20 16 THE BEAUTY OF PARTNERSHIP STUDY GUIDE PAR T 1 LESSON 5 Let s integrate what we ve been exploring In your mind s eye: You ve completed The Beauty of Partnership training you are serving with a ministry partner in in the majority world you re serving as a partnership facilitator and you re on a mission trip visiting this partner. What are some behaviors marked by a powerboat mindset that you are trying to avoid? Compare to a sailboat mindset. Powerboating I ll avoid: Sailboating I ll embrace: Expressing servanthood Sometime in the next week, do something to serve your spouse, a friend, or a son or daughter using a sailboat mindset. Be discerning. Listen. Explore what your spouse or friend needs right now. What would be a big encouragement? What might be especially supportive? This may seem an unlikely possibility for you, or it may be well within your grasp. This could be great fun and a great memory! -wm Here s what I m going to do:... OPTIONAL: Go sailing! Have you ever been sailing? Have you ever physically experienced the thrill and joy of cooperating with the wind? Consider the challenge to: Go sailing some time in the next six months. Talk about your experience with your friends or colleagues; apply what you learned about catching the Wind of God to your own family, work or ministry.

21 GODLY CHARACTER: SERVANTHOOD 17 PAR T 1 LESSON 5 Build your executive summary Below write the summary statements you identified in lessons 1 through 4 on Servanthood. Simplify if necessary Lesson 1, page Lesson 2, page Lesson 3, page Lesson 4, page Suggestion: Why not use... your summary... as the basis of your prayer? Prayer of commitment Write a prayer of commitment to the Lord concerning servanthood toward a cross-cultural partner (real or potential). Share this prayer with your spouse or a friend. Congratulations! You have completed the first week of training in The Beauty of Partnership.

22 18 THE BEAUTY OF PARTNERSHIP STUDY GUIDE PAR T 1 F OLLOW-THROUGH How am I doing on follow-through? I ve written my prayer of commitment regarding servanthood, and opened my heart to God about this matter. I ve talked with someone close to me to share about what I m learning. Finally What is the bedrock for beauty in partnerships? our Lord Jesus Christ, for the glory of God.