1 of 1

Q. Our society and even some in the church say, "Stay with your own kind; you'll be happier." How do you respond?

A. I doubt it. Building cross-cultural relationships can be an exciting adventure. Like any adventure, it has pitfalls along the way. But adventures also have excitement and fulfillment, and there's never a dull moment. Don't be afraid to reach out and seek someone who is racially different from you.

How do cross-cultural relationships get started?

On the personal level. It is out of that kind of relationship that ministry will grow. On a recent trip to my childhood church in Ripon, Wisconsin, I was startled to see several black folks in the congregation. The sight reminded me that most of us no longer live as I grew up, in total racial isolation. Our paths cross, even in small-town America, with Asians, Hispanics, or African-Americans. But we don't choose, usually out of discomfort, to pursue that contact into a relationship. Instead, we often ask ourselves, What will that person think?

Stop at this point. Take inventory. Where do those people cross your path? The Hispanic person on your job? The Asian family that moved into the neighborhood one block over? The black family visiting your church? Each represents an opportunity to build a cross-cultural relationship.

What will it take to build that relationship? Intentionality and commitment.

How does a commitment to relationship work out?

It's a combination of attitude and action.

Take risks. You must be willing to reach out to someone who is racially different, even if you risk misunderstanding by that person.

Move beyond saying hello. When you meet someone, try to initiate a conversation that moves beyond a superficial greeting; take time to know the person. It could be the beginning of a great friendship.

—Glen Kehrein is the executive director of Circle Urban Ministries in Chicago.

Credits: Adapted from—Breaking Down Walls (Moody Press, Moody Bible Institute, 1993)

Copyright © 2000 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity. For reprint information click here.

To sign up for a risk-free trial issue of Men of Integrity click here.

To order multiple copies of Men of Integrity for your men's group, click here.

 1 of 1

share this page

Prayer for the Week

				Try an Issue of Men of Integrity Free! Name Street Address City/State/Zip E-mail Address No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders. If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless. Give Men of Integrity as a gift Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!

FREE Newsletter Sign up for the Men of Integrity Newsletter (All fields required)    RSS Feed   RSS Help