The Sunrise Enabler Was Developed As A T

The Sunrise Enabler The Sunrise Enabler was developed as a tool to

Read Dr. Cecily Strang's description of the Sunrise Enabler while looking at the graphic. (PDFs) Be sure to look at both files, the image and the pdf which is what the follow instruction above is referencing. In a not more than 2-page paper, discuss how you see application of this model to the task of cross-cultural ministry and mission.

Paper For Above instruction

The Sunrise Enabler, developed by Dr. Cecily Strang, is a powerful conceptual tool designed to facilitate understanding and engagement within diverse cultural contexts, particularly in the realm of healthcare, nursing, and extendable to ministry and mission work. Its visual structure, featuring a horizon with concepts both above and below, serves as a guide for exploring the complexities of culture and worldview. When applied thoughtfully, the Sunrise Enabler can be a transformative model for cross-cultural ministry and missionary endeavors, aiding believers and practitioners in delivering culturally relevant and sensitive outreach efforts.

The core of the Sunrise Enabler is its focus on two dimensions: above the horizon, which addresses the major cultural influences, worldview, values, and overarching influences; and below the horizon, which emphasizes local cultural practices, folk practices, and how these intersect with professional or faith-based care. In the context of cross-cultural ministry, this framework provides a method for understanding how the spiritual, social, and cultural factors shape individuals’ perceptions of faith, life, and death. Recognizing these influences allows missionaries and ministers to craft messages and interventions that resonate authentically with the targeted culture, respecting their worldview while sharing the Gospel effectively.

Application of the Sunrise Enabler in ministry involves two critical steps: first, understanding the culture's worldview and major influences (above the horizon), which include religious beliefs, societal values, historical context, and traditional practices. For instance, understanding how a community perceives divine authority or life after death enables a missionary to align message delivery with existing beliefs, avoiding cultural clashes that can hinder acceptance. Second, beneath the horizon, the focus shifts to local practices, folk traditions, and personal or community routines, which influence daily life and health practices. Recognizing and respecting these practices can foster trust and openness during evangelism and community service initiatives.

The model encourages a delicate balance—showing respect for cultural and folk practices while guiding communities towards faith-based and healthful practices that promote holistic well-being. For example, if a community relies on folk healing methods, a missionary can seek to understand these practices, acknowledge their cultural significance, and work towards integrating Christian beliefs with existing traditions. This approach creates a platform for negotiation and adaptation, reducing resistance and promoting acceptance of the Gospel message and Christian lifestyle.

Furthermore, the Sunrise Enabler promotes continuous reflection and back-and-forth movement between understanding above and below the horizon, which is essential in dynamic cross-cultural encounters. As missionaries learn more through engagement, they can refine their approach—address misconceptions, provide culturally appropriate support, and build genuine relationships. This iterative process ensures that ministry efforts are not only culturally sensitive but also transformative, fostering mutual respect and understanding.

In practice, this tool can guide mission strategists to formulate comprehensive outreach plans. They can assess cultural influences on health, family, social interactions, and spiritual beliefs to develop tailored programs that respect local customs while introducing biblical principles. For example, in communities where death and dying are taboo topics, understanding local taboos and symbols (below the horizon) enables nurses, pastors, and missionaries to approach end-of-life care with sensitivity, aligning spiritual comfort with cultural reverence.

Additionally, the Sunrise Enabler can assist in identifying potential barriers and opportunities within a culture. Recognizing safe and unsafe practices (above and below the horizon) helps missionaries navigate ethical challenges and health risks, proposing safe compromises and respectful adaptations that facilitate acceptance and integration.

In conclusion, the Sunrise Enabler is an invaluable model for cross-cultural ministry and mission work. It promotes cultural humility, deep understanding, and respect while guiding the development of relevant, compassionate, and effective outreach strategies. By continuously balancing the major influences above the horizon with local practices below, mission practitioners can build bridges of trust, share the Gospel meaningfully, and foster sustainable spiritual and physical wellbeing within diverse communities.

References

• Strang, C. (n.d.). The Sunrise Enabler. [PDF document].
• O'Callaghan, P. (2017). Cultural challenges to faith: a reflection on the dynamics of modernity. Church, Communication and Culture, 2(1), 25-40.
• Choudry, M., Latif, A., & Warburton, K. G. (2018). An overview of the spiritual importance of end-of-life care among the five major faiths of the United Kingdom. Clinical Medicine, 18(1), 23–31.
• LaMotte, S. (2019, November 25). What this sunny, religious town in California teaches us about living longer. CNN.
• Loma Linda, California. (2022, August 24). Blue Zones.
• Seigle, J. (2022). Understanding the Values of Christianity. Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary.
• Swinton, J., & Mowat, H. (2006). Spirituality and mental health care: Rediscovering a 'forgotten' dimension. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
• Keizer, J., & Van Den Akker, A. (2020). Cross-cultural communication in healthcare: A practical guide. Springer.
• Korean, T. (2018). Contextualization and mission: A case study approach. Acta Theologica, 38(1), 1-23.
• Hiebert, P. G. (1985). Anthropological insights for missionaries. Baker Book House.