YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 - (Page 28)

“Christian ministry at its core is interacting with all kinds of people in ways that give them glimpses of Jesus in us.” encounter people who see the world differently than we do regardless of their cultural context? How do we become multicultural people while remaining true to who God made us to be? A Love Expressed That’s our destination. We’re on a journey from the desire to love The Other to a place where we effectively express the love of Jesus to people of difference. Be encouraged. The desire itself, along with the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, provides the fuel we need to embark on this sojourn. Stop and think about what group represents The Other for you. To which culture or subculture is relating the most difficult for you? In what context do the skills that usually come to you naturally feel incredibly awkward and strained? Jot down a few names or examples as we move forward in improving the way we love and serve. There is security and stabilizion in being with people who view the world as we do. Laughing together about things we find funny; ranting together about pet peeves; and sharing an appreciation for some of the same food, art, hobbies and perspectives can be the ingredients for building serendipitous memories together. There’s nothing remarkable about enjoying time with people like ourselves, but to love and appreciate someone who despises the very things we value and vice versa is another story. The real mystery of the gospel lies in how we deal with those relationships of difference in a positive manner. There may not be a more scandalous example of friendship than the one shared by Larry Flynt, Hustler magazine founder, and Jerry Falwell, the late founder of the fundamentalist Moral Majority. On the day Falwell died, many news pundits brutally critiqued his life, but Flynt said: “My mother always told me no matter how much you dislike a person, when you meet them face-to-face you will find characteristics about them you like. Jerry Falwell was a perfect example of that (principle). I hated everything he stood for, but after meeting him in person, years after the trial, Jerry Falwell and I became good friends … I always appreciated his sincerity even though I knew what he was selling and he knew what I was selling.” Not to set up Falwell or Flynt as role models to follow, there is something beautiful about Flynt being able to call Falwell a “good friend.” When the gospel comes up close—face-to-face— something mysterious happens. Many disciplines are interested in cultural intelligence: The business world is tapping into research to become more successful in culturally diverse markets; government officials are being trained in cultural intelligence to increase their odds of “winning” in opportunities in foreign settings; and educational institutions want to know how to accomplish learning objectives among students who come from various cultural backgrounds. Cultural intelligence could have no better home than the Christian faith. Sadly, Christendom itself often has brought about some of the most notable examples of cultural ignorance. Missionaries have gone into foreign lands insisting locals adopt dress, use music and build churches that mirror their own. Older generations have shamed younger generations for the use of “inappropriate” music in worship. Furthermore, one of the saddest realities is that Sunday morning is the most racially segregated time of the week in many American churches. Some of the worst controversies entangling churches and ministries today revolve around contextualizing the gospel to various subcultures. What aspects are up for grabs, and which ones aren’t? Ministry leaders are called to face many realities in contextualizing the gospel to culture. Instead of perpetuating unloving, disrespectful interactions in cultural contexts, the church can lead the way in expressing love across the chasm of cultural differences. CQ as Pathway Ultimately the answer is “love.” Jesus synthesized all the teaching of the law around the greatest commandments, “Love God. Love others” (Matt. 22:37–39). Maitri, a word for love found in the Sanskrit language, is rooted in the idea that compassion and generosity begin with an individual’s desire to love, but maitri is expressed only when one knows how to move from desire to action. Cultural intelligence is a pathway to help us along the journey from desire to action—the bridge that helps us more effectively express and embody Christ’s unconditional love despite differences. David Livermore is the Executive Director of the Global Learning Center at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and co-founder of Intersect, an organization that trains and consults with leaders worldwide. Dave adapted this article from his new book, Cultural Intelligence: Improving Your CQ to Engage Our Multicultural World (Baker). The book is part of Baker’s Youth, Family and Culture series edited by YouthWorker Journal Senior Editor Chap Clark. 28 March/April 2009 | YouthWorkerJournal.com http://www.YouthWorkerJournal.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009

YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009 Contents Feedback Youth Culture Update Culture Watch Encountering God Campus Ministry The Urban Take Sight Unseen Worldview Soul Care Managing Your Ministry 10 Minutes in God's Word From IQ to CQ Caring Amidst Crisis Risky Business When Tragedy Gets Personal Deaths in the Family Stopping Suicide Blessed Are They Who Mourn Healing the Healer Resources for Working with Crisis Tools Stirring it Up

YouthWorker Journal - March/April 2009

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