Overview
Twenty-first-century society is diverse, and Christians must be able to understand other cultures and communicate effectively between and among them. Following up on the bestselling Hurt: Inside the World of Today's Teenagers, this new addition to the Youth, Family, and Culture series explores the much-needed skill of Cultural Intelligence (CQ), the ability to work effectively across national, ethnic, and even organizational cultures. While rooted in sound, scholarly research, Cultural Intelligence is highly practical and accessible to general readers. It will benefit students as well as guide ministry leaders interested in increasing their cultural awareness and sensitivity. Packed with assessment tools, simulations, case studies, and exercises, Cultural Intelligence will help transform individuals and organizations into effective intercultural communicators of the gospel.
EXCERPT
What do you do when you encounter someone who isn't like you? How do you feel? What goes on inside you? How do you relate to him or her? These are the kinds of questions we want to explore in this book. Few things are more basic to life than expressing love and respect for people who look, think, believe, act, and see differently than we do. We want to adapt to the barrage of cultures around us while still remaining true to ourselves. We want to let the world change us so that we can be part of changing the world. And we want to move from the desire to love across the chasm of cultural difference to the ability to express our love for people of difference. Relating lovingly to our fellow human beings is central to what it means to be human. And when it comes down to it, Christian ministry at its core is interacting with all kinds of people in ways that give them glimpses of Jesus in us.
The billions of us sharing planet Earth together have so much in common. We're all born. We all die. We're all created in the image of God. We eat, sleep, persevere, and care for our young. We long for meaning and purpose, and we develop societies with those around us. But the way we go about the many things we have in common is deeply rooted in our unique personalities and cultures. So although we have so much in common, we have as much or more about us that's different.
EXCERPT
What do you do when you encounter someone who isn't like you? How do you feel? What goes on inside you? How do you relate to him or her? These are the kinds of questions we want to explore in this book. Few things are more basic to life than expressing love and respect for people who look, think, believe, act, and see differently than we do. We want to adapt to the barrage of cultures around us while still remaining true to ourselves. We want to let the world change us so that we can be part of changing the world. And we want to move from the desire to love across the chasm of cultural difference to the ability to express our love for people of difference. Relating lovingly to our fellow human beings is central to what it means to be human. And when it comes down to it, Christian ministry at its core is interacting with all kinds of people in ways that give them glimpses of Jesus in us.
The billions of us sharing planet Earth together have so much in common. We're all born. We all die. We're all created in the image of God. We eat, sleep, persevere, and care for our young. We long for meaning and purpose, and we develop societies with those around us. But the way we go about the many things we have in common is deeply rooted in our unique personalities and cultures. So although we have so much in common, we have as much or more about us that's different.
Endorsements
“The more I’m around Dave Livermore, the more I learn how to develop kingdom relationships that cross cultures. Whether you are leading a short-term mission trip, doing local justice work, or simply want to more effectively love others, you are smart to read Cultural Intelligence. You are even smarter if you apply its profound insights to your life and ministry.”
Kara E. Powell, executive director, Fuller Youth Institute, Fuller Theological Seminary
“In an era of drive-by, short-term missions, David Livermore brings reconstruction. He does not merely suggest cultural sensitivity; he helps us deconstruct and build something new—a pathway to cultural intelligence that can guide us to be citizens of the kingdom of God while being proactively engaged as neighbors in the world.”
Mark Oestreicher, president, Youth Specialties
“In our increasingly interconnected, multicultural world, the need for cultural understanding has never been greater. Cultural Intelligence is an essential, foundational resource for anyone who desires to effectively interact across cultures—whether traveling internationally, visiting urban centers, or becoming involved in a local school system. Read this book! It will enable you to understand your own culture and the lens through which you see all other cultures. And it will equip you to live in our globalized world.”
Paul Borthwick, author of How to Be a World-Class Christian
“Comprehensive and accessible, this book clearly details the cultural intelligence model for multicultural ministry. In this book, David Livermore addresses both conceptual and practical issues on cultural intelligence. He has expanded the ideas of multiculturalism to include not only national cultures but also organizational and generational subcultures. This book is an ideal text and a valuable resource for building the core skills of cultural intelligence in individuals and organizations.”
Soon Ang, executive director, Center for Leadership and Cultural Intelligence, Nanyang Business School, Singapore
“Written for anyone who is serious about ministry, this book explains why cultural intelligence is essential and what one must do to develop and employ it in the practice of ministry.”
Sherwood Lingenfelter, author of Ministering Cross-Culturally
Author
David A. Livermore
David A. Livermore, PhD, is a social scientist devoted to the topics of cultural intelligence (CQ) and global leadership and the author of several award-winning books. He is a founder of the Cultural Intelligence Center and professor of global leadership at Boston University. He is a frequent advisor and speaker to leaders in Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and governments and he has worked in more than 100 countries. Learn more at DavidLivermore.com