EE - Lesson # 4 the Opposite Side of the Spectrum

On opposite sides of the spectrum.

Monochronic culture vs PolyChronic culture.

Many cultures view time differently. According to a study in "Figuring Foreigners out " each country was placed on a spectrum. The spectrum indicated which countries were most concerned with time to those which are least concerned. Monochronic cultures believe that managing time is imperative, while the Polychronic culture is much more concerned with many things other the time. The most Monochronic cultures in study were the United States and the United Kingdom. The most Polychronic culture was Africa.

Americans may or may not have coined the expression "Time is Money", but they certainly embraced that idea. Because of some of the culture drivers such as capitalism and individual development, time keeping is very important. Our computers have outlook, our phones are blackberries and the iphones have time keeping apps.

Africans and Mexicans are much more inclined to develop relationships at the expense of a stringent schedule.

When two cultures maintain polar views on an issue it is easy to see the flaws in each. A pastor that I work with in Uganda had scheduled a meeting with a partner in ministry. The pastor ended up showing up the following day for the scheduled meeting. When asked what happened it he said that he needed to deal with a congregants needs. He was late a whole day, not an hour.

It is easy as an American to feel frustrated, but as we look at the difference it is important to understand our goals.

May we be quick to listen to others and maintain a position that is receptive to learning from people who maintain a different opinions. Often the view we embrace is a matter of preference and not an absolute defined in scripture. It is interesting to see Christians place priorities on ideas that have very little consequence on the gospel. If we are not careful we substitute substance for an argument. Should we consistently strive to make people who are on the opposite side of the spectrum come to our view or should we learn from one another so that we can have dialogue on issues of substance.

Excerpts from "When Helping Hurts". The authors are Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert.