An introduction to the three core competencies for healthy cross-cultural partnerships: godly character, cultural intelligence, and organizational competence

When it comes to healthy cross-cultural partnership, which is more important—godly character, cultural intelligence, and organizational competence?

In The Beauty of Partnership learning journey, all receive strong emphasis. There are four sets of learning lessons for each of these critical arenas. How do we define these three competencies? Here’s how:

• GODLY CHARACTER: What is the bedrock for beauty in partnerships? Following humbly our Lord Jesus Christ 
for the glory of God. 
• CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE (CQ): What does CQ mean for partnerships? 
Understanding deeply our diversity and unity 
for the glory of God.
• ORGANIZATIONAL COMPETENCE: What does competence mean for partnerships? Practicing wisely the art and science of 
partnership for the glory of God.

Godly character, cultural intelligence, and organizational competence. Following humbly, understanding deeply, practicing wisely. Easy to say, difficult to achieve. Healthy cross-cultural partnerships do not naturally occur in the body of Christ. To think otherwise is so very common but naive.

The knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSAs) that are contained in healthy cross-cultural partnerships are not developed accidentally. This is why Mission ONE has developed The Beauty of Partnership learning journey: So that individuals can learn over time, in community, how to serve a cross-cultural partnership in a healthy way, to bring hope in Jesus Christ to the peoples of the world.

So they are all important: godly character, cultural intelligence, and organizational competence. Do you think one of these is more important than another? Let me know.