Intercultural Development: A Path Forward for Difficult Ecclesial Conversations

Interest in the cultural dimensions of difficult conversations, such as those related to ‘race’ or sexual ethics, can be one way of softening the polarizing energies around these important dimensions of the life of faith. Cultures are processes, not things; contested, not total. Assuming, for example, that immigrant communities of faith do not share a mainline denomination's progressive values, or should be rejected if they do not express them in the “right way,” denies the grace of being in process. Denominations and their communities of faith are continually in process, working toward becoming intercultural as they uphold their traditions and values. This paper employs the framework of the Intercultural Development Continuum, which many theological schools now engage through the Intercultural Development Inventory, to demonstrate how this lens can chart a course through polarizing conversations around sexuality and gender identity, and minimizing conversations around ‘race.’