06Jun 2018 by Nigel Ring

Global Humility – Book Recommendation

Books, Cross-culture, Equipping
Global Humility is a ‘must read’ book for anyone who is involved in or has an interest in cross-cultural matters. It will particularly help equip those who are church-planting or who live in an ethnically diverse environment. But it is so well researched and written that you will enjoy it even if you do not fall into the above categories. My own failings... I have travelled quite widely, and have visited and stayed in the homes of people in widely differing cultures from my own. I thought I had some grasp of cross-cultural matters – until I read this book! Now I have discovered how ignorant I really am – and how many cultural mistakes I have made. ...and Andy's credentials For much of his life Andy McCullough has lived…
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04Apr 2018 by Nigel Ring

Building a Culturally Diverse Multi-site Church

Church, Cross-culture, Equipping, Multi-site, News
Over the past five weeks we have considered what is required to build a multi-site church, basing it on the experience with Emmanuel Church, Brighton. I want to conclude this series with the experience of Kings Church, London which changed to a multi-site church in 2011. A few years ago King's Church, Catford, as it was at that time, outgrew their building. They were also in a part of London which included very diverse cultures. In this conversation Steve Tibbert shares some of the issues they address as they grow, currently being on three sites with plans to open a fourth one in the next few months. They have been very intentional in approaching the diverse cultural differences in their congregations and have sought to build an integrated culturally-diverse church. This is part of their…
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18Oct 2017 by Nigel Ring

Fulfilling the call to Cross-Cultural Mission

Africa, Bethany Children's Trust, Cross-culture, Equipping, Mission
Recently I had a conversation with Susie Howe, wife of one of the elders of a Newfrontiers church in London. In the first part of our conversation, posted last time, Susie shared how the Bethany Project had started and about how she helped to equip churches to support and empower marginalised children in Africa. In this second part of our conversation I asked Susie how she would advise anyone who feels a call to work in cross-cultural mission. In this video she gives some very helpful and practical advice about testing your call and preparing to go, and about relating appropriately and helpfully with those you are seeking to serve.   https://vimeo.com/233174277
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10Jun 2016 by Nigel Ring

Church and Education in Nigeria

Cross-culture, Education, News, Nigeria
When Sam Amara, a lecturer in Hebrew and Greek languages in the Pentecostal International Bible Seminary in Nigeria, met Simon Pettit from Jubilee Church, Cape town in 1997 he gained a new understanding of the doctrine and practice of grace. As a result he planted a church, Riches of Grace, in Lagos. Recently I had the joy of hosting him in my home having last visited him in 2010. I was greatly encouraged to learn of the progress made in both the church and the school which he and his wife started, now numbering 70 children from 3-15. This interview will allow you to be as envisioned and informed as I have become over these days including some insights on some of the challenges faced by the church in that…
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18Nov 2015 by Nigel Ring

10 reasons not to read American books on leadership

Cross-culture, Equipping, Leadership
I recently read an excellent article on the Towinsome website. I felt it was so good and thought provoking I would like to point people to it, especially leaders. Although it is written primarily for non-'Western' cultures it raises some very interesting and challenging points about assumptions it is easy to make. Thanks Andy for writing this.   “The things that go without being said are some of the most important parts of culture.” – E. Randolph Richards I am not anti-American. Neither am I anti-leadership. But I am going to list 10 reasons not to read American books on leadership, especially regarding church leadership. These kind of books seem especially laden with tacit values that may have been contextually true in the place of writing, but are definitely not…
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02Feb 2013 by Nigel Ring

Foreign to Familiar – book review

Books, Cross-culture, Equipping, General
Foreign to Familiar Paradoxically Foreign to Familiar (McDougal Publishing) is both an easy read and a challenging one. It is in a style that is very accessible, is a relatively short book of only 120 pages and is liberally illustrated with personal experiences of the author. But, as one who has travelled quite widely in different cultures, I still find it challenging. Too often I find myself re-reading it and thinking ‘Oh dear, I have made that mistake .... and that one...'! This book is a ‘must read' for those who are interested or involved in cross-cultural mission. Sarah Lanier is well qualified to write on this topic having lived and ministered across six continents over the last 30 years, and being a speaker of six languages. When ‘no' means…
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