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Introduction
Cross-cultural intelligence, also known as a cross-cultural quotient (CQ), is a term coined in 2003 by Professors Earley and Soon Ang. However, cross-cultural intelligence has existed since time immemorial because human beings have scoured the earth for millennia and interacted continuously. Nonetheless, unlike in the olden days, individuals these days live in complex neighborhoods and social settings that do not necessitate traveling for long distances to meet people from diverse cultures. As a result, most evangelists find it difficult to deliver the ministry to individuals without a firm Christian background. However, the following report suggests that applying CQ and intercultural communication principles in ministry engagement can prove beneficial, especially when dealing with the elderly in care homes and the local community.
The Need for CQ during Ministry Engagement with the Elderly
Elderly individuals make up a majority of the population in the US. Unfortunately, their needs are often neglected because they are less active in social interactions and community initiatives. Nonetheless, the elderly play a critical role in society because they know the frameworks from which society is built. Consequently, they deserve increased attention and sufficient knowledge of the gospel to help them live a peaceful and fruitful life into their final days. However, the elderly also make up the most culturally diverse population group because a majority of them come from different backgrounds and have firm beliefs about their roots.
Moreover, the elderly have a wealth of experience in life and the fruits of good and bad. Therefore, it might be difficult to convince them that Christ is the only solution to eternal life and unending peace. As a result, cultural intelligence during ministry engagement with elderly individuals in the community can place an evangelist in a better position to empathize and understand their perceptions of life according to their background, experiences, and reasoning. Eventually, it will be easier to convince them of the value of living a life of faith, as CQ limits an offensive approach.
Practical Approaches to CQ During Ministry Engagement
The ultimate purpose of cross-cultural intelligence in ministry engagement is to encourage collaboration and partnerships. Generally, the youth in the community are tasked with evangelizing to the elderly because they can easily move around. However, the youth and the elderly have a notable cultural gap, often introducing issues due to miscommunication and misunderstanding. As a result, it is crucial to leverage CQ drive to limit dissatisfaction, especially when evangelism outcomes are not as expected. Additionally, CQ knowledge is crucial in guiding leaders and evangelists on the appropriate solutions to counter issues due to diversity. CQ knowledge advocates focusing more on cultural similarities and avoiding judgment in case of differences.
Similarly, it is critical to observe CQ strategy and action because they prepare individuals for unusual interactions. For example, an evangelist can investigate the demographic attributes of a particular local community and identify the beliefs they associate with the most. Subsequently, they will be aware of what to expect in their evangelism environment and how to limit distress. Nonetheless, CQ action is vital in multicultural contexts because it allows evangelists to be versatile and quickly adapt to the cultural needs of individuals during engagement. Thus, one’s knowledge of cross-cultural intelligence can enable them to reason with others and work for change and better outcomes.
Incorporating CQ with Intercultural Communication Principles
Although CQ principles are critical in guiding cross-cultural interactions to achieve the best evangelism outcomes, they are more effective when adopted in line with intercultural communication principles. Intercultural communication principles suggest that evangelists in the ministry should always respect other cultures, be aware of their culture and other people’s practices, have knowledge of various cultural codes, possess social skills to bridge differences and establish connections between individuals and not cultures6. Thus, an evangelist’s CQ knowledge, drive, strategy, and action should inform their social interactions by encouraging mutual respect and allowing collaboration toward similar goals. On that account, evangelists should adopt CQ and intercultural communication principles during ministry engagement with the elderly and other community members to ensure benefits.
Conclusion
Globalization has enabled individuals to move from place to place and settle far away from their native homes. Therefore, most communities are made up of diverse and complex cultures that have thrived for generations. As a result, it is impossible to socialize or engage with individuals in society without encountering new beliefs, rare cultures, and people from different backgrounds. Nonetheless, cultural intelligence and intercultural communication principles can help evangelists limit bias and treat individuals as they would want to be treated. That being said, the elderly are among the most neglected group in society. However, they require deliverance and salvation like other individuals in the community. Unfortunately, ministry engagements with the elderly are never easy because they are culturally diverse and difficult to convince. Moreover, most of them have held on to their beliefs for decades, thus limiting them from adopting new ideas about life. Nonetheless, cross-cultural intelligence and intercultural communication guidelines can help leaders, teams, and evangelists to approach ministry engagement with caution, limit bias, and prepare to tackle any issues.
Bibliography
Dasih, I. Gusti Ayu Ratna Pramesti, Ida Bagus Gde Yudha Triguna, and I. Wayan Winaja. “Intercultural Communication Based on Ideology, Theology and Sociology.” International Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Culture, 5, no 3, 2019.
Earley, P. Christopher, and Soon Ang. Cultural Intelligence: Individual Interactions Across Cultures. Stanford University Press, 2003.
Nelson, Wendy, and Johannes M. Luetz. “Towards Intercultural Literacy—a Literature Review on Immersive Cross-cultural Experiences and Intercultural Competency.” In Innovating Christian Education Research: Multidisciplinary Perspectives, 395-422. Springer, 2021.
Oh, Hyun Joo, and Kyungwha Hong. “Competencies and Characteristics of Ministers in the
Changing Ministry Field.” Journal of Christian Education & Information Technology, 34, 2018.
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