Book Review: Building Cultural Intelligence in Church and Ministry Osoba O. Otaigbe, (Bloomington, IN: Authorhouse UK, 2016)

 

In this book Otaigbe employs Cultural Intelligence (CQ) insights, developed in the business world, and applies them to the Church. Recognising the cross-cultural nature of globalised church life and mission, Otaigbe’s concern is to enable believers (individually and corporately) to appreciate the extent to which they are shaped by their culture, and equip them for effective cross-cultural interaction. The book is structured around four CQ competencies of drive, knowledge, strategy and action, and forms part of a package which includes assessments and workshops. This gives the book an analytical character, yet Otaigbe carefully illustrates the CQ competencies with Scripture, which alongside reflective questions helpfully provide perspicacity for productive discussion.

Drive is described as motivation to interact cross-culturally. Drawing on the biblical example of Jonah, Otaigbe firstly reflects on internal motivations, highlighting how beliefs and personality can influence motivation. Otaigbe then employs the biblical example of David among the Philistines (1 Sam. 27:1-12) to reflect on how external factors can also encourage or discourage interaction. Finally, reflecting on the signs given to Moses’ for his confrontation with Pharaoh (Ex. 4:1-17), Otaigbe notes how proficiency and self-confidence need to develop in harmony for effective cross-cultural connection.

Knowledge is understood as awareness of underlying worldviews and their impact on behaviours and expectations. Otaigbe highlights the role of language in the Holy Spirit’s coming at Pentecost (Acts 2:13), exploring how language is intricately linked to culture, and suggesting that learning a second language enables better understanding of both native and other cultures. Drawing from Paul’s intervention on behalf of Onesimus (Philemon 1:8-22), Otaigbe moves from general to specific cultural awareness, promoting learning another’s culture through observing within relationship.

Strategy is described as knowledge employed within cross-cultural interactions, and Otaigbe explores three disciplines: firstly planning, where the importance of having objectives and anticipating interactions is illustrated by Esther (Esther 2:1-18); secondly mindfulness, where the importance of being attentive to each present situation is drawn from Solomon’s compromised beliefs (1 Kings 11:1-13); finally, the benefits of evaluating situations are shown in Naomi’s loss of her husband and sons (Ruth 1:1-22).

Action is seen in communication through words and actions. Drawing from Paul address to the Athenians (Acts 17:22-31), Otaigbe notes the importance of what is said and the way it is presented in cross-cultural communication. However, Paul’s addressing of head coverings in worship (1 Cor. 11:2-16), highlights the importance of non-verbal communication.

The exploration of these four competencies within a church context is novel and creative, and helpfully for a church context, Otaigbe acknowledges sub-cultures such as age, gender and denomination, and provides practical steps for developing CQ in the church community, and in the home and workplace. Whilst there remains an uncomfortable transition from its business origins, CQ does bring useful insights and tools to an area of church that is often underestimated. In an increasingly globalised urban context, cross-cultural interaction is an area of significance for the church to engage with, and Otaigbe provides a framework for doing that.