Living out the gift of grace
Posted on: 7th October 2021
CMS missionary Kellie Nicholas has served in Japan for 13 years. In this article she explains how difficult it can be to comprehend the concept of grace in a culture of reciprocity. The exchanging of gifts is very important in Japanese culture, and for relationships to be maintained, it must be continuous and reciprocal. (1) Gifts are given in order to carry out giri (2), and the […]
Rethinking time in South East Asia
Posted on: 29th May 2021
The Coronavirus pandemic has changed the plans for many who serve with CMS. Some have been unable to return to their location, others have been stranded, waiting for flights to Australia. As CMS worker Rowan has waited to return to South East Asia, he has reflected on this ‘new normal’ and how different cultures think about time. The ‘new normal’ There has been a lot of talk recently about what […]
Who decides what is humble?
Posted on: 27th April 2020
CMS missionary Peter Blowes (serving with Terry in Argentina) encourages university students and graduates to build God’s kingdom. In 2015, Peter and Terry returned to Argentina for a second term of service after ten years away. Here Peter reflects on many new questions they faced on reentry to a rapidly changing culture, and reminds himself and us that God’s word is the key to answering […]
Review: Cross-Cultural Connections: Stepping out and fitting in around the world
Posted on: 10th September 2018
Elmer, Duane. Cross-Cultural Connections: Stepping out and fitting in around the world. Downers Grove: IVP, 2002. Review by Gordon Cheng, writer/editor at CMS Australia This 2002 book remains on the current reading list in missions courses around Australia as an excellent, easy introduction to major issues in cross-cultural work. Cross-cultural specialist Duane Elmer of Trinity […]
Review: Christ and Culture Revisited
Posted on: 10th August 2018
Carson, D.A. Christ and Culture Revisited. Leicester: Apollos, 2008. Review by Matthew Payne, PhD Candidate (University of Sydney) & theological educator. Christians have an uneasy relationship with non-Christian culture. We know that the only truly Christian culture awaits us in Jesus’ kingdom, but what stance ought we to take to the world’s culture while we wait? […]
