Opening (5 mins):
- Icebreaker question: What is your cultural background? Where were you born and raised?
- Question: Why did you want to join a diverse, multicultural organization like YWAM?
YWAM Value #8: We are international and interdenominational in scope and constituency.
“After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language…” Revelation 7:9
Cultural Diversity at YWAM (10 mins):
- Question: Have you worked with people from other cultures before? What was that experience like for you?
- Present statistics/demographics highlighting YWAM’s ethnic and national diversity around the world.
- Question: What potential benefits could come from having teams with diverse cultural backgrounds and perspectives?
YWAM Value #2: We are called to make God known throughout the whole world.
“Go and make disciples of all nations…” Matthew 28:19
Cultural Influences on Decision-Making (15 mins):
- Discuss how cultural backgrounds can shape our approach to decisions. For example:
- Individualistic cultures may prefer individual decision-making
- Collectivistic cultures may emphasize group consensus
- Question: In your culture, do people tend to make decisions more individually or collectively as a group?
- Question: How important is it to follow the advice or defer to elders/leaders when making decisions in your cultural context?
YWAM Value #9: We have a biblical Christian worldview to guide our lives and ministry.
“I will listen…for you have taught me.” Psalm 119:171
Break (5 mins)
Fostering Inclusive Environments (15 mins):
- Cultures can have different norms around customs like:
- Concepts of time (stricter adherence to schedules or more flexible)
- Appropriate dress standards in different settings
- Greeting styles (handshakes, bows, hugs, etc.)
- Question: What sorts of customs around time, dress, greetings, etc. might we notice or need to be aware of in our multicultural team?
- Discuss barriers to inclusion like biases, stereotypes, ethnocentrism and strategies to overcome them:
- Cultural humility – being learners
- Actively listening and suspending judgment
- Question: How can we avoid unintentionally causing offense or making someone feel disrespected due to cultural differences?
YWAM Value #14: We value the individual and believe in justice for all people.
“There is neither…slave nor free…for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28
Closing (10 mins):
- Question: How can having cultural diversity within YWAM make us stronger and more effective in our global mission?
- Question: What’s one personal commitment you can make to help create an open, inclusive environment in your team?
- Review key takeaways on respecting cultural differences, listening to diverse perspectives, and promoting unity.
YWAM Value #13: We are dedicated to being relationship-oriented.
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10