How can we apply what researchers say about gender differences to cross-cultural ministry?

Last week, we dove right into a battle of the sexes…sort of. We wondered, does gender impact evangelism? Should we take gender differences into account when reaching out? While we took a look at both sides of the argument, the verdict is still out…the battle still on.

So let’s keep the questions coming! While we barely scratched the surface of the gender differences debate, another important element remains: If key gender differences do exist, do these variances carry over from culture to culture?

Because we’re talking about gender and missions, we cannot get away without investigating this question. So, let’s collect what some of the “experts” have to say and together take it to the lab for a little in-depth analysis.

Week #2: Societies around the world vary greatly in how they view and treat the sexes. For example, TheMuslimWoman.org writes, “In Islam, there is no such concept of free will, especially with respect to women folk. They are treated as mere commodities in the hands of men. They are battered, molested, killed when they ask for freedom.” But such is not the case in modern America, where women independently climb the corporate ladder and take positions of leadership over both men and women.

In one study about men, women, communication, and context, Dr. Rhonda Kelley writes that “[you must] alter your conversational style to fit the context. Effective communication is adapted appropriately to fit the setting.” Therefore, while gender differences may exist from culture to culture, we as missionaries must be willing to adapt outreach efforts based on the cultural context and the individual…including, but not limited to, gender.

But then again, maybe we aren’t as adaptable as we’d like to be when it comes to gender. A study about women in positions of leadership noted that “…women were more effective leaders in female-dominated or female-oriented settings, and that men were more effective leaders in male-dominated or male-oriented settings. Thus working in a leadership role congruent with one's gender appears to make one more effective—or at least perceived as being more effective.”

So as Christians, how can we apply what researchers say about gender differences to cross-cultural ministry? Should views on gender—no matter the cultural context—impact our methodology, our communication styles, or maybe even who we choose as missionaries in an effort to be more effective?

Our investigation continues, and your opinion matters. Weigh in.

http://www.themuslimwoman.org/
http://www.modlinguistics.com/Sociolinguistics/gender/Communication%20between%20Men%20and%20Women%20in%20the%20Context%20of%20the%20Christian%20Community.htm
http://www.psychologymatters.org/womanboss.html