Discussion: Intercultural Communication & Cultural Intelligence

Intercultural Communication & Cultural Intelligence

Communication is key when spreading the unchanging gospel message to people of different cultures. Thus, practicing intercultural communication and cultural intelligence are vital as they give the missionary of the work the capability to function effectively across national, ethnic, and organizational cultures. Furthermore, intercultural communication and cultural intelligence fulfill the great commission whereby Jesus instructed his disciples to make disciples of all nations and teach them all things that Jesus commanded.[1] In this regard, Jesus has given missionaries the authority to fulfill his commandment. However, missionaries need to adopt various practices of intercultural communication and cultural intelligence such as self-confidence, non-judgmental attitude, humility, openness, internal drive and self-efficacy, if they are to successfully witness from a personal experience and preach the good news.

Cultural intelligence enables the missionary to adopt the right drive and self-confidence to pursue the required understanding and planning appropriate to execute a project that crosses racial, ethnic, and class barriers.[2] Before spreading the scripture multiculturally, an individual requires to be aware of several things. First, they need to be aware of their own cultural and theological assumptions and how they will impact their connection with people across cultural lines as well as those presented by others throughout their missions. In the gospel of Matthew (Matt. 28:18-20),  the scripture highlights that Jesus gave all authority to his disciples on earth and in heaven.[3] Thus, leaders can utilize their knowledge to implement a cultural intelligence strategy whereby they demonstrate a non-judgmental posture, humility, and openness to people of different cultures which makes them feel safe. As a missionary, it is vital to ensure that the congregation is free to share how they interpret the scripture and their true thoughts regarding the meaning of the different texts.  impressions and discoveries. Hence, cultural intelligence knowledge enables the missionary to perceive accurately how people from different cultures and ethnicities view themselves, God, and the world. Without cultural intelligence, a preacher may be moved to pretend to be respectful towards how different peoples view themselves and God, hindering him from engaging effectively with his congregation.

The work of a missionary involves going to new places and working across cultures where they may lack an innate passion for diversity. However, the motivational dimension of cultural intelligence will give them the right drive to fulfill the unrestricted nature of their mission by going to all nations.[4] Similarly, they will also be curious to learn about other cultures' faith and the images of God the communities portray. Accomplishing the great commission begins through conversion whereby an individual feels an authentic encounter with a messenger of God who respects them just as they are. Missionaries both at home and overseas may present all the right excuses hindering them from adapting cross-culturally, which reduces the effectiveness of their mission and evangelism. It is through practicing cultural intelligence and communication intelligence that missionaries gain insight that evangelism at either the local or international level is their first responsibility. The first step involves a Christian being honest with themselves and acknowledging their reservations about a given culture which might be rooted in fear from experience, unconscious bias or prejudice. Secondly, they will develop the appropriate internal drive and self-efficacy prompting them to realize that they have been called by Christ toward something bigger which increases their overdrive.[5] It is only through cultural intelligence and intercultural communication that a missionary can continually rediscover the good news of God’s love with diverse groups which increases their confidence in the authority and transformational power of God.

Bibliography

Ekblad, Bob. “Reading Scripture for Good News That Crosses Barriers of Race/Ethnicity, Class, and Culture.” Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology 65, no. 3 (July 2011): 229–48. https://doi.org/10.1177/002096431106500302.

Kgatle, Mookgo S. “Globalisation of Missions: An Exegesis on the Great Commission (Mt 28:18–20).” In die Skriflig/In Luce Verbi 52, no. 1 (July 11, 2018).

Livermore, David A. “What is Cultural Intelligence.” In Leading with Cultural Intelligence: The Real Secret to Success. 2nd ed. New York: American Management Association, 2015.

Livermore, David A. “Culture Matters: Why You Need Cultural Intelligence.” In Leading with Cultural Intelligence: The Real Secret to Success. 2nd ed. New York: American Management Association, 2015.

New American Standard Bible. New Testament. New York: World Pub, 1995.