Some Do’s

Some Don’ts

1.  Do smile and be pleasant when you meet people, regardless of whether it is the first or twentieth time.

1. Don’t show strong disfavor over any negative situation. Remember that your new friends live in that situation.

2. Do attend church in a registered congregation, should the opportunity arise.

2. Don’t put your new friends in jeopardy by asking about or insisting on visiting an unregistered church.

3. Do let people know you are a Christian.  That's why you are there!

3. Don’t be timid about living your Christian lifestyle everywhere you are. However, be sensitive to the situation.

4. If it is your practice to listen to Christian music in your residence, do so.

4. Don’t play any music -- Christian or otherwise -- in a way that disturbs others.

5. Do display your Bible and single copies of other Christian literature where visitors may see it.

5. Don’t display any kind of materials that may not give a Christian witness to your visitors.  Also, do not display multiple copies of any Christian publication.

6. Do display Christian art or decorations in your residence.

6. Don’t use any items of decoration that might hinder your witness for Christ.

7. Do dress in a modest, Christian manner.

7. Don’t wear any item of clothing that might be considered suggestive or flagrant.

8. Do observe Christian customs and holidays.

8. Don’t automatically reject local holidays and customs, through which you might be able to witness.

9. Do eat the food that is given to you in the same spirit it is offered to you, unless you are concerned with potential hygienic problems.

9. Don’t feel that you must always eat those things that do not seem to be hygienic. You may politely decline to eat something that might cause you problems.

10. Do pray before meals.

10. Don’t give the idea that you are inconsistent with what you say.

11. Do use your talents whenever you can.

11. Don’t hide any talents you may have that God can use to touch the hearts of the people.

12. Do observe willingly all the local rules, in the school, residence, etc.

12. Don’t ignore the spirit of the rules. There will be significant reason for local rules.

13. Do show a positive attitude.

13. Don’t let a negative experience steal your joy.

14. Do discipline yourself.

14. Don’t let the actions of others cause you to lose control.

15. Do what is expected with Christian integrity, i.e., returning anything borrowed, judging fairly, showing Christian compassion.

15. Don’t allow yourself to give your new friends the idea that you are lazy, not dependable, or unfair in dealing with different people.

16. Do recognize the importance of “face” among your new friends.

16. Don’t cause any of your new friends to be embarrassed in any way.

17. Do respect everyone.

17. Don’t ignore the dignity of every individual.

18. Do meet the local pastor, should the opportunity arise.

18. Don’t be so busy that you do not have the time to meet local people.

19. Do be patient with the people and their differences.

19. Don’t assume that the way you have always done something is the only right way.

20. Do be available to your students after class.  You may even invite them into your residence for informal chats.

20. Don’t leave your classroom immediately after your learning session is over. Don’t isolate yourself from your new friends.

21. Do keep your sense of humor.

21. Don’t take yourself too seriously.

22. Do show respect for the system.

22. Don’t automatically reject how people work within the Chinese systems.

23. Do show appropriate appreciation.

23. Don’t assume that local people will instinctively know of your appreciation.

24. Do affirm your new friends every opportunity you have.

24. Don’t criticize your new friends, even when they make mistakes.

25. Do keep up-to-date with your personal spiritual life.

26. Do accept the conditions and situations.

26. Don’t complain about your accommodations, bathroom facilities, teaching areas; don’t complain, period.

27. Do work through the appropriate channels to get your work done.

27. Don’t forget that Chinese people expect us to accept the normal procedures and practices with which they are familiar.

28. Do be flexible.

28. Don’t be so strict in your attitude that you feel that others must do everything your way.

29. Do avoid criticizing anyone at anytime.

29. If you must “criticize,” criticize only the action,  never the person.

30. Do explain in your first session what you will expect of your learning group.

30. Don’t give your learning group any surprises about what they will be expected to do.

31. Do show respect for and interest in any family members of your learning group that you may get to meet.

31. Don’t ignore the significance of the family relationships of those in your learning group.

32. Do emphasize the importance of a Christian home and family.

32. Don’t minimize the importance of your Christian example through your home life.

33. Do be on time.

33. Don’t waste the time of others by ignoring the schedule.

34. Do be a good listener.

34. Don’t control every conversation.

35. Do guard your personal health.

35. Don’t assume that because you are doing God's work that he will automatically keep you well.

36. Do be mentally and spiritually ready to explain the significance of Christianity.

36. Don’t manipulate people to listen to your testimony before they show genuine interest.

37. Do correct any misunderstandings as soon and as appropriately as possible.

37. Don’t assume that problems will disappear without you taking loving action.

38. Learn the names of those in your learning group.

38. Don’t forget that one of the sweetest sounds to a person’s ear is his or her name.

39. Do show genuine interest in Chinese history and culture.

39. Don’t dig into the Cultural Revolution and other negative things about Chinese history.

40. Do learn some Chinese cultural analogies to interpret the Gospel.

40. Don’t use stories or events that put down Chinese people or religions as being inferior.