Liberty Theological Seminary

Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility

By Duane Elmer

A Book Critique
Submitted to Dr. Fred Smith
In Partial Fulfillment
Of the Requirements for the Course
Intercultural Communication and Education
GLST650

By
Carol H. Montgomery
19 April 2015

Table of Contents

Introduction......2
Author..2
Summary..........2-4
Critique/Application4-7
Conclusion..7
Bibliography...8

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AUTHOR
Elmer, Duane, Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christ-like Manner,
Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 2006.
INTRODUCTION
As we meet people that the world may see as dissimilar from our culture is challenging in
the best of circumstances. The access to modern technology of various forms such as social
media, internet tools, smart phones, iPad, tablets, etc., it appears to have become much easier to
travel to different destinations both in person and virtually. Humanity and its reality as we know
it seem to have become less significant, although the attentions of individuals is to continue to
fight to understand or comprehend the struggle of cultural differences of those living in other
parts of the world that we dont live in. In this critique
SUMMARY
Duane H. Elmer is a director of the Ph.D. program in educational studies and is the G. W.
Aldeen Chair of International Studies at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield Illinois.
This author has traveled in over seventy-five countries, providing cross-cultural training to many
diverse individuals that include mission workers, developing churches and fortune five hundred
businesses. Elmer has taught at Durban Bible College, Michigan State University and Wheaton
College and Graduate School.1 He is also an honorable author who works to pursue efforts of
peace and reconciliation. Elmer, an instructor of developmental workshops for faculty members
at over twenty-five schools located in European and Middle Eastern areas on the theme of
Teaching for Transformation.
In attempt to summarize the main themes the author addresses in his book, Cross-Cultural
Servanthood can be found on (pg. 143), Everyone is ethnocentric.2 This author writes fourteen
1

Duane Elmer, Amazon, http://www.amazon.com/Duane-Elmer/e/B001JSBLX2(accessed April 19, 2015).

Duane Elmer, Cross-cultural servanthood: serving the world in christlike humility (Downers Grove, Ill: IVP
Books, 2006), p. 143

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chapters and divides his book into three sections: Servanthood: Basic Prospective, Servanthood:
The Process and Servanthood: The Challenges. In the 1st section of the book the author describes
in chapter one the burdens and challenges, such as, learning what it takes to take on the mindset
of servanthood and understanding what it means. Chapter two reveals how Jesus chose a place
demonstrating servanthood to his disciples; servants exhibited their stance on humbleness and in
chapter three the rudimentary of understanding ones place is shown.
The 2nd section of the book the author alert the readers of what the necessities are to move
forward in serving and others and to demonstrate servanthood cross culturally. This 2nd section is
also the largest section of the book however; it is still unimaginable to believe that every vital
point will be dealt with concerning the ability to express ourselves amongst various cultures,
being opened and acceptance of their differences (chapter 4) as well as, welcoming them,
respecting others, trusting other cultures. Next, (chapter 5) to build up the confidence in all
cultural concerned with building up the confidence in other relationships (chapter 6) while
focusing on learning about other cultures to provoke change in the way other cultures are seen.
The importance of people sharing information concerning the countries may have valuable
insights on what should be viewed from a biblical or informational standpoint to help those who
are doing missionary to see others though their eyes, learn how others function in their culture by
putting the pieces of their cultural puzzles together (chapter 7- 9) and finally, (chapter 10) the last
chapter of this section deals with showing the love of Christ to others by becoming like him
serving others.
The 3rd and concluding section of the book deals with how leadership, the attitude of a
servant should be connected and give instructions to become a servant leader (chapter 11). In
(chapters 12-13) the author shares information concerning how the different leadership views are
appreciated, valued and importance of being able to discern when it is necessary to give up the

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power in any situation and when Godly power in others should be appropriated, war in the
emotions and minds so that other Christian workers may be covered.
In concluding, (chapter 14) the author uses Joseph as an example from a scriptural
perspective as a role model that was trusted and demonstrated his ability as a true cross-cultural
servant to another culture. Elmer describe him as a cross-cultural servant, engaged people in
positive ways, adjusted to the cultural realities and fulfilled Gods purposes without
compromising his faith, his transparency, his trust, his ability to learn and understand as he
served showed Joseph as being successful serving various cultures.
CRITIQUE
This would be a great book for anyone who is interested in missions work and serving
cross culturally, it would definitely be an asset and a treasured addition to someones library for
present and future information regarding cultures.
The author explains the concepts of what it means to be open and acceptant which theres
not a possibility of a reader finding these two concepts in any other books about being a crosscultural servant. This book serves as a great map to demonstrate and easier approach to being
and training others to become Disciples of Christ.
The author uses Joseph to demonstrate in his book that servanthood is based on biblical
foundations. Elmers concept of ethnocentric which is the belief in the inherent superiority of
ones own ethnic group or culture and a tendency to view other groups or cultures from a
perspective of ones own.
According to the word of God in the book of Acts 10:34-35, (King James Version) Then
Peter opened his mouth, and said, of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in
every nation he that fears him, and works righteousness, is accepted with him.3

Acts 10:34-35, King James Version

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This is a great verse that may be applied when serving with other cultures, Jesus was the
ultimately example that he had no respecter of person who he fellowshipped with. He proved this
as he sup with and commune with sinners. Jesus Christ never compromised what he believed nor
did this author say to compromise when it comes to sin in wining others to Christ it does
encourage openness and acceptance but never excludes the Word of God.
Cross-Cultural Servanthood is a book that prepares us to look deeper into ways we
encounter people who may be from different cultures than we are normally accustomed to being
around. After reading this book it was evident that the author has a passion and love for serving
cross-culturally. The author stresses in his book, Acceptance is the ability to communicate
value, worth and esteem to another person.4
Cross-Cultural Servanthood is a book that author; Duane Elmer through his writings
attempts to encourage the readers to be an servant of Christ for example, by doing what the Bible
says in the book of Matthew 28:19-20, Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I
have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age, if we listen
and obey this command cultural walls/barriers will come down.
In order to do this there must be a heart for people and a love for God as well as, the
ability to respect and accept the differences of individuals who we desire to reach with the gospel
of Jesus Christ, who may not only be geographically removed but those who are our neighbors,
around the corner, down the street, workplace, school and those who may come from many
different backgrounds.
In the book of 1st Corinthians 9:20-22, Paul describes himself to a Jew that he may become
a Jew, and to the weak he became weak so that he may win many. I relate this scripture to author,
4

Duane Elmer, Cross-cultural servanthood: serving the world in christlike humility (Downers Grove, Ill: IVP
Books, 2006), p. 58

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Duane Elmer who was concerned with the Word of God, his character, redemption of mankind
and how various circumstances and challenges all play apart in cross cultural communication.
From a readers perspectives there are some main points I would like to share that stood out
to me in this book were the authors definitions of different words, his ability to apply his
concepts on biblical basis, his ability to show the character of God and his heart toward all
nations are some of the things that were viewed as strengthens, and his focus on openness toward
other cultures. Also, be opened to learning new things with others by adopting positive
approaches as the opportunity presents itself.
A weakness could be as the author points out that with simple observations of what will
encourage or discourage a certain behavior therefore a lack of common language, impatience
toward one another, dogmatic rigidity can be true hindrances to acceptance.5
After reading this book one is sure to do a self-check on how we judge others from
different backgrounds, ethnicity than our own, I had a rude awakening when I began to evaluate
my perspectives as it related to others not from my culture and judge others as their cultures was
not right but mine culture is. Elmer says, Just because a behavior is different, it does not
automatically mean its bad or unworthy of consideration.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, servanthood cross-culturally may take place in settings outside of the
boundaries of a believers hometown. The author gives practical and pragmatic advice on how
to become a believer who is open to intercultural encounters in order to be given the right to
share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others based on his own life experiences. With Crosscultural servanthood becomes a reality when the believer is willing to learn and to be open and
accepting to those individuals who are precious in the insight of God who is willing to learn and
5

Ibid., 58

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to be open and accepting to those precious people God created and who are living in another part
of the world or city.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Elmer, Duane, Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christ-like Manner,
Downers Grove, IL: Inter-Varsity Press, 2006.
Elmer, Duane, Amazon. http://www.amazon.com/Duane-Elmer/eBOOJSBLX2 (accessed
April 18, 2015).