Foreign to Familiar Part 2 w/ Sarah Lanier
From Amazon to the Himalayas by Paul Akin
March 18, 2026 · 26 min · Season 9 · Episode 68
About this episode
Paul Akin discusses cultural communication and missionary preparation with Sarah Lanier, emphasizing the importance of understanding different cultural contexts.
Host Paul Akin talks with Sarah Lanier about her book Foreign to Familiar and how “hot” and “cold” climate cultures communicate love differently through indirect vs. direct communication, relationship vs. task focus, and views of honor, time, and authority. Lanier warns against judging other cultures through one’s own lens and argues there is no perfect culture; effectiveness requires learning what communicates love in the local context, including when directness is necessary for safety. For short-term missions, she advises taking no initiative, acting as guests, following local leadership, and selecting humble, teachable participants to avoid harming local ministry. They discuss applying these concepts within the U.S., using cultural curiosity for conflict resolution, avoiding stereotypes amid generational change, and preparing missionaries by building relationships with different cultural congregations before going overseas. Mentioned in this episode: The Doctor of Ministry https://www.sbts.edu/degree-programs/doctor-of-ministry/
People in this episode
Host: Paul Akin
Guest: Sarah Lanier
Topics covered
- cultural communication
- missionary preparation
- cultural curiosity
- relationship dynamics
- conflict resolution
Keywords
- cultural differences
- communication styles
- missionary work
- cultural sensitivity
- indirect communication
- direct communication
- relationship focus
- task focus
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: The Doctor of Ministry, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Books & works: Foreign to Familiar
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