Listening Between the Lines
Thinking Missiologically About Romanian Culture
By Cameron D. Armstrong
Listening Between the Lines - Cameron D. Armstrong
Book Description
Romania is one of the most popular destinations for Western missionaries, both short and long term. While this history of mission work is indeed a cause for rejoicing, there is real danger in not fully understanding the cultural ramifications of unexamined mission efforts. The delicate work of heralding the gospel in culturally-appropriate forms, a process missiologists call contextualization, is the need of the hour.
This volume is a compilation of seven essays geared to promoting contextualized mission in Romania. Cameron D. Armstrong discusses conceptual insights gleaned from interviews on various cultural touchpoints with both Romanian evangelicals and non-evangelicals. In this way, the book offers a unique "insider" perspective on the current state of and need for mission work in Romania.
This volume is a compilation of seven essays geared to promoting contextualized mission in Romania. Cameron D. Armstrong discusses conceptual insights gleaned from interviews on various cultural touchpoints with both Romanian evangelicals and non-evangelicals. In this way, the book offers a unique "insider" perspective on the current state of and need for mission work in Romania.
Book Trailer
Response to Listening Between the Lines
"The moment Cameron Armstrong arrived in Bucharest, Romania, I was impressed with his eagerness to immerse himself in language and cultural acquisition, as well as his passionate zeal for sharing the gospel. His field experience and diligent research will be a valuable resource to any long-term or short-term missionary. Cameron has done the missiological world a great favor by sharing his keen insight for developing deep and meaningful cross-cultural relationships."
Dr. Richard C. Clark
Senior Pastor, Indian Springs Baptist Church
Laurel, Mississippi
Former IMB Missionary to Romania
"For nearly three decades a freed and democratic Romania has been the locus of a flurry of missions activity, some more helpful than others. In this volume, Cameron Armstrong provides an astute missiological framework for greater impact through genuine culturally informed relationships. If you’ve ever worked in Eastern Europe, you’d do well to read, learn and apply the principles herein."
Dr. George G. Robinson
Associate Professor of Missions & Evangelism
Headrick Chair of World Missions
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
"Cameron Armstrong recognizes what few long and short-term cross-cultural Christian workers do – relationships really matter in ministry. While cast in the Romanian context, insights and implications go far beyond its borders. Timely and timeless."
Tom Steffen, D.Miss.
Professor of Intercultural Studies
Cook School of Intercultural Studies
Biola University
"Cameron’s writing is informed by a unique combination of vast academic knowledge achieved in the USA and over six years of experience on the field in Romania. It has been a great blessing to have the Armstrongs among us; not only as American missionaries, but also as dear members of our Romanian church family in Bucharest."
Ben Mogoș, Th.M.
Founding Pastor
Agapia Baptist Church
Bucharest, Romania
"Cameron Armstrong examines and wrestles, through a missiological lens, how the gospel ministers to the Romanian people at a personal, emotional, and societal level. By looking at these multiple aspects and spheres of Romanian culture, he engages and challenges the Romanian and non-Romanian reader to think missiologically about how to minister more holistically, no matter which country or culture they are in."
Jeff Cardell
Long-Term Missionary
Adventures in Missions
Timișoara, Romania
"In Listening Between the Lines, Cameron Armstrong makes a valuable contribution to effective, contextualized ministry. His passion for the gospel, highly relational research, humble and gracious spirit, and experience in Romania all are connected to provide a practical and insightful resource that will be helpful to those who send, go, and receive cross-cultural workers among Romanian people and others."
Preston Pearce, Ph.D.
Theological Education Strategist for Eurasia
International Mission Board, SBC
Prague, Czech Republic
"Cameron writes from personal experience and daily interaction with these cultural realities. This work is applicable and accessible to both the anthropologist and layman alike."
Dwight Poggemiller
Leader for Training and Development
Greater Europe Mission
Timișoara, Romania
"This is the book to read before doing a short or long-term mission to Romania. Important insights on the Romanian culture and how to apply the gospel to this particular context. I would also recommend this book to Romanian evangelicals in order for them to be effective in sharing the gospel with their friends, family, and colleagues."
Ionut Popescu
Team Leader
CRU
Bucharest, Romania
"Having ministered in Romania over more than two decades, I’ve experienced a full range of cultural experiences. Cameron Armstrong’s insightful work on aspects of the church and culture in this country is well-grounded and generous. He’s helped me to fall in love once again with the richness of our Romanian cultural context!"
Dave Cox
City Team Leader
EFCA ReachGlobal
Bucharest, Romania
Dr. Richard C. Clark
Senior Pastor, Indian Springs Baptist Church
Laurel, Mississippi
Former IMB Missionary to Romania
"For nearly three decades a freed and democratic Romania has been the locus of a flurry of missions activity, some more helpful than others. In this volume, Cameron Armstrong provides an astute missiological framework for greater impact through genuine culturally informed relationships. If you’ve ever worked in Eastern Europe, you’d do well to read, learn and apply the principles herein."
Dr. George G. Robinson
Associate Professor of Missions & Evangelism
Headrick Chair of World Missions
Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
"Cameron Armstrong recognizes what few long and short-term cross-cultural Christian workers do – relationships really matter in ministry. While cast in the Romanian context, insights and implications go far beyond its borders. Timely and timeless."
Tom Steffen, D.Miss.
Professor of Intercultural Studies
Cook School of Intercultural Studies
Biola University
"Cameron’s writing is informed by a unique combination of vast academic knowledge achieved in the USA and over six years of experience on the field in Romania. It has been a great blessing to have the Armstrongs among us; not only as American missionaries, but also as dear members of our Romanian church family in Bucharest."
Ben Mogoș, Th.M.
Founding Pastor
Agapia Baptist Church
Bucharest, Romania
"Cameron Armstrong examines and wrestles, through a missiological lens, how the gospel ministers to the Romanian people at a personal, emotional, and societal level. By looking at these multiple aspects and spheres of Romanian culture, he engages and challenges the Romanian and non-Romanian reader to think missiologically about how to minister more holistically, no matter which country or culture they are in."
Jeff Cardell
Long-Term Missionary
Adventures in Missions
Timișoara, Romania
"In Listening Between the Lines, Cameron Armstrong makes a valuable contribution to effective, contextualized ministry. His passion for the gospel, highly relational research, humble and gracious spirit, and experience in Romania all are connected to provide a practical and insightful resource that will be helpful to those who send, go, and receive cross-cultural workers among Romanian people and others."
Preston Pearce, Ph.D.
Theological Education Strategist for Eurasia
International Mission Board, SBC
Prague, Czech Republic
"Cameron writes from personal experience and daily interaction with these cultural realities. This work is applicable and accessible to both the anthropologist and layman alike."
Dwight Poggemiller
Leader for Training and Development
Greater Europe Mission
Timișoara, Romania
"This is the book to read before doing a short or long-term mission to Romania. Important insights on the Romanian culture and how to apply the gospel to this particular context. I would also recommend this book to Romanian evangelicals in order for them to be effective in sharing the gospel with their friends, family, and colleagues."
Ionut Popescu
Team Leader
CRU
Bucharest, Romania
"Having ministered in Romania over more than two decades, I’ve experienced a full range of cultural experiences. Cameron Armstrong’s insightful work on aspects of the church and culture in this country is well-grounded and generous. He’s helped me to fall in love once again with the richness of our Romanian cultural context!"
Dave Cox
City Team Leader
EFCA ReachGlobal
Bucharest, Romania