David A. Livermore, Cultural Intelligence: Improving Your CQ to Engage Our Multicultural World. Baker Academic, 2009.
Referenced in: Guides to the Practice of Evangelism
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
One of Livermore’s purposes is to “draw from some of the most helpful material written for the missionary audience [on cross-cultural ministry] and apply it to ministry leaders working in rural, urban, and suburban contexts at home.” (12) This is unique in itself, but even more special:
The primary distinction of this book is that it uses an approach to cross-cultural interaction that stems from inward transformation rather than from information or, worse yet, from artificial political correctness. Our goal is not simply to learn more about different cultures, not is it just to become better at “navigating cultural differences.” We must actually become more multicultural people so that we might better express love cross-culturally. Avoiding ethnic slurs and having a Latino celebration is a start – but to stop there is a superficial approach at best. (12)
Expanding our information and changing our behavior is one thing, but being changed from within is more challenging. This begins with understanding oneself and the cultures one is a part of, and move from there to inward and outward adjustments to other cultures.
Livermore calls this Cultural Intelligence (CQ). In the first part of the book, he shows how CQ is a way of authentically expressing our love for the Other. He says, “Love is the primary reason cultural intelligence is an essential competency in the life of twenty-first century ministry leaders.” (14) From there, he shows how this translates into each of four factors of cultural intelligence:
Understand: Knowledge CQ – measures one’s understanding of cross-cultural issues and differences. It begins by discovering American culture, helping readers begin the inward journey of awareness. It also describes the notion of culture itself.
Go Deep: Interpretive CQ – measures the degree to which we are mindful and aware of we interact cross-culturally. It links the ability to link the understanding gained in knowledge CQ into actual behavior.
Express: Perseverance and Behavioral CQ – moves toward applying the understanding and interpretations from the knowledge and interpretive CQ to one’s service and relationships.
Throughout, the focus is on how one contextualizes self in order to encounter the “Other” (i.e. those not like us) more lovingly, seeing both ourselves and the Other as creations of God, as expressions of who God is. There are frequent overviews and summaries, and the appendix includes a self-assessment questionnaire and a glossary.
From the Publisher
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.
About the Author
David A. Livermore (PhD, Michigan State University) is executive director of the Global Learning Center at Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. In addition, he is research fellow at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and a senior consultant with the Cultural Intelligence Center. Livermore has traveled to more than seventy-five countries and is the author of the award-winning Serving with Eyes Wide Open as well as numerous articles and training manuals. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
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