Comparative Leadership Development

Abstract

How self is defined in relation to others is a product of culture and has significant implications for evangelism, discipleship and spiritual transformation. By developing a greater understanding of the influence of individualism and collectivism on how people perceive the invitation of Jesus to discipleship and how new believers will expect the community of faith to function, missionaries can fulfill the Great Commission cross-culturally with increased wisdom and sensitivity. Contrasting traditional Western and Indian concepts of self are compared using research from cross-cultural psychology and anthropology. Both are explored in light of the transformed “Christ-self” which is the biblical goal for all believers, whatever their cultural context.