Research Paper: Finishing The Great Commission and Intercultural Communication
Assignment
Darrell Roberts
GLST 650: Intercultural Communication
March 2, 2025
Contents
Introduction 1
CQ Summary 2
CQ Assessment 2
CQ Drive 2
CQ Knowledge 3
CQ Strategy 3
CQ Action 4
Local Ministry Connection 4
The Role of Christian Intercultural Communication 5
Working With Muslims in Chad 6
Conclusion 9
Bibliography 11
ii
1
Introduction
Every day, our world is getting smaller. Liberal Foreign and Domestic immigration
policies have opened borders up to mass migrations in the United States and many countries
around the globe. Technology has made it possible to communicate within seconds from the Far
East to the Far West and the North Hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere. Christian
Intercultural Communication appears to be needed now more than ever in the History of the
world. “To remain unaware of how culture shapes the way people think and behave is not only
foolish, it’s expensive”1 While David Livermore had business and finance in mind when this was
written, The same could be said regarding the cost in cross-cultural relations.
This Paper will provide a general summary and breakdown of my current CQ Assessment
and explain how the assessment and local ministry (from the perspective of The Great
Commission) are connected to this research paper. The paper will further discuss the research
results into the cross-cultural issues discovered in working with Muslims in Chad and how God’s
people can work together to fulfill the Great Commission. Special attention will be given to how
people can communicate with others throughout various cultures in the Holy Spirit and how local
churches and international missions can work together to fulfill the Great Commission as
outlined by Jesus in John 17.
[1] David Livermore, Leading with Cultural Intelligence: The Real Secret to Success, 2nd ed., (New York,
NY: AMACOM, 2015), 66.
2
CQ Summary
The CQ summary lists the results of my most recent CQ Assessment. My profile noted
the following summarized scores related to Cultural Intelligence: CQ Drive, 78; CQ Knowledge,
62; CQ Strategy, 85; and CQ Action, 54. According to the CQ Profile, I scored “Moderate” in
CQ Drive, CQ Knowledge, and CQ Action, and “High” in CQ Strategy. The scores in the
“Moderate” range are in the middle fifty percent (50%) of worldwide norms. The score in the
“High” range is in the top twenty-five percent (25%) of the worldwide population.2
CQ Assessment
CQ Drive
CQ Drive is the extent to which you are energized and persistent in your approach to
multicultural situations.3 It is understood through the subdimensions of Intrinsic Interest
(Deriving enjoyment from culturally diverse experiences), Extrinsic Interest (Gaining benefits
from culturally diverse experiences), and Self-Efficacy (Having the confidence to be effective in
culturally diverse situations. I scored the highest in Self-Efficacy (98) out of the three
subdimensions while scoring moderate in Intrinsic Interest (73) and low in Extrinsic Interest
(62), respectively.4
[2] Darrell Roberts, CQ Report: Self-Assessment Pro, (January 26, 2025).
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid.
3
CQ Knowledge
There are several subdimensions in CQ Knowledge. CQ knowledge is defined as the
degree to which you understand how culture influences how people think and behave and your
level of familiarity with how cultures are similar and different.5 The Subdimensions are Business
(Knowledge about economic and legal systems), Values and Norms (Knowledge about values,
social interaction norms, and Religious beliefs), Sociolinguistics (Knowledge about language and
communication norms), and Leadership (Knowledge about managing people and relationships
across cultures—context-specific).6
I scored highest in the categories of Business (92) and Values and Norms [84] and scored
the lowest in Sociolinguistics (18). This was the lowest score I received in the CQ Report due to
my ability to speak only one language. I scored “Moderate” in the category of Leadership (54).7
CQ Strategy
CQ Strategy is the extent to which you are aware of what’s going on in a multicultural
situation and are able to check and plan accordingly.8 It was my strongest category in the CQ
[5] Ibid.
[6] Ibid.
[7] Ibid
[8] Ibid
4
Report. The CQ Strategy Sub-Dimensions included Planning (Strategizing before a culturally
diverse encounter), Awareness (sensing the perspectives of self and others), and Checking
(Checking assumptions and adjusting mental maps when experiences differ from expectations).9 I
scored highest in Planning (89) and Awareness (89) and lowest in Checking (78).
CQ Action
CQ Action is the extent to which you can act appropriately in multicultural situations.10 It
was my lowest-scoring category. It is composed of the Sub-Dimensions of Speech Acts.
(Modifying the manner and contentment of communications- direct and indirect), Verbal
(Modifying verbal behaviors such as speech and tone), and Non-Verbal (Modifying non-verbal
behaviors such as gestures or facial expressions). I scored in the Moderate category in the areas
of Non-Verbal (73) and Speech Acts (67) and scored Low in Verbal (23).11
Local Ministry Connection
Cross-cultural ministry as a function occurring from within one church body is a challenge.
However, my situation calls for this ministry to bridge two interconnected congregations. I am
currently overseeing the renewed development of our men’s ministry in a church of about 400,
[9] Ibid.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid.
5
all Caucasian believers. Due to the recent death of the church leader, I have been selected to
replace him as pastor. The church's demographics are approximately forty percent (40%)
Caucasian, twenty-five percent (25%) Hispanic, twenty percent (20%) African American, and
fifteen percent (15%) Asian.
The mix of cultures within the church body has helped me cultivate a better
understanding of how to integrate the results of my CQ assessment in following the Great
Commission. It has also given me insight into the need to have such an understanding of
international mission work.
The Role of Christian Intercultural Communication
“Even though cross-cultural interactions have taken place for as long as cultures have existed,
intercultural communication is a relatively young discipline founded during the 1950’s. The need
for intercultural communication, however, is at least as old as the beginnings of human migration
and the distribution of human societies and cultures, together with the development of differing
languages (especially after the Tower of Babel incident in Gen. 11) around the planet.”12
“Mention ‘communication’ to missionaries, and many first think of language and language-
related issues.”13 This could be due to the emphasis placed on Genesis 11 in most missionaries'
upbringing within the church. Regardless, the church needs dynamic communicators. “A
[12] A. Scott Moreau, Evvy Hay Campbell, and Susan Greener, Effective Intercultural Communication: A
Christian perspective, (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2014), 26.
[13] Ibid., 53.
6
dynamic, competent intercultural communicator is one who manages multiple meanings in the
communication process- appropriately, effectively, adaptively, and creatively.”14 After all, “The
purpose of the church, the fundamental meaning of the church, is supposed to be the
proclamation of the Gospel of God.”15 We must be able to communicate effectively across
cultural boundaries to share the Great Commission in a way that effectively communicates the
message of the Gospel.
Working with Muslims in Chad
Chad has a number of religions that are widely and freely practiced in the country. The
Constitution grants religious liberty, which has allowed for diverse religious groups. Islam and
Christianity are the leading denominations with millions of adherents.16 However, several senior
government officials ascribe to the Islamic faith.17 By the time of the arrival of the White people,
Islam had long established roots in Chad, having entered the country from Northern Nigeria and
Sudan. Some communities also widely practice traditional African religious systems. There is
also the minority that does not subscribe to any religion.18
[14] Stella Ting-Toomey and Leeva C. Chung, Understanding Intercultural Communication, (Los Angeles,
CA: Roxbury Publishing Company, 2005), 17.
[15] C. Tim Chang and Ashley E. Chang, Christian Intercultural Communication: Sharing God’s Love with
People Of Other Cultures, (Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, 2021), 55.
[16] https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/religious-beliefs-in-chad.html
[17] Ibid.
[18] Ibid.
7
Muslims constitute about 55% of the Chadian population. It was already present in Chad
at the time of the arrival of Arab immigrants from the East in the 14th century. The religion was
spread through interaction and economic activities such as trade as opposed to conquests as it
was in other regions.19 Quranic schools were established extensively in the region to facilitate the
process of the Chadians learning the Arabic language, mainly by rote. Most of the Muslims in
Chad are Sunnis and adhere to the Maliki legal school.20 They base their Islamic knowledge on
extensive literature. Higher Islamic education does not exist in Chad, and those interested in
pursuing it have to travel abroad. Some of the popular destinations include Cairo and Yemen.21
While religious freedom exists in Chad, Christians are in the minority. My new church is
currently looking to sponsor a team of international missionaries, and we are looking to send a
family to Honduras and another to Africa. Chad will be one consideration. In doing so, the
missionary family must have a basic understanding of Islam.
Understanding of the local culture in Chad will be crucial to the mission work at hand. “Local
Culture can be envisioned as major sectors, like pieces of a pie. Each piece of pie represents
major areas to explore and research. Those areas are social relationships, ideology and beliefs,
and economics and technology.”22
[19] Ibid.
[20] Ibid.
[21] Ibid.
[22] W. Jay Moon and W. Bud Simon, Effective Intercultural Evangelism: Good News In A Diverse World,
(Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2021), 119.
8
Like Christianity, Islam has many different beliefs, although it worships Allah. Those
beliefs end up creating conflict and division within Islam.23 This is where the similarities between
Christianity and Islam end. According to Qureshi, there are three major branches of Islam: Shia
Islam, which makes up 10-15 percent of Muslims; Sunni Islam, which makes up about 80% of
the world’s Muslims; and the remaining 5-10% who fit it neither category. 24 Qureshi goes on to
tell the story of the conflict and discrimination between the groups. He states, “They have the
audacity to call us kafir (infidel, non-Muslim) because we do not interpret two words in the
Quran the way they do. Two words! ‘Khatam an-nabiyeen, the seal of the prophets.’ In the minds
of these violent and uneducated Muslims, disagreement over these words justifies murdering
their brothers in Islam!”25
John 17 contains our Lord’s prayer for His disciples and those who would become His
disciples. In the opening verses, “Jesus prays for Himself, stating His concern for glorifying the
Father. Next, He turns His attention to the disciples and the glory that they will bring to the
Father.”26
Yet in verse 21, “is the link between the unity of God’s people and the fulfillment of
[23] Nabeel Qureshi, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2018). 53.
[24] Ibid.
[25] Ibid.
[26] Duane Elmer, Cross-Cultural Conflict: Building Relationships for Effective Ministry, (Downers Grove,
IL: InterVarsity Press, 1993), 26.
9
God’s mission in this world.”27
The body of Christ must show unity to achieve the Great Commission. This is the key to
successfully carrying out Jesus' Command in Matthew 28. Division within the church is not only
a cancer within the church but is visible to those on the outside. The Apostle Paul knew this, as
evidenced by his letter to the Corinthian church. “I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be
united in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1 Cor. 1:10).
Conclusion
Our Lord Jesus says in Matthew 28:18-20, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been
given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded
you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the Age.” (English Standard Version)
Contrary to popular belief in many of today’s churches, Jesus’ words were not a mere
suggestion but a command. These words sum up the two Great Commandments.
This Paper provided a general summary and breakdown of my current CQ Assessment
and explained how the assessment and local ministry (from the perspective of The Great
Commission) are connected to this research paper. The paper further discussed the research
[27] Ibid., 27.
10
results into the cross-cultural issues discovered in working with Muslims in Chad and how God’s
people can work together to fulfill the Great Commission. Special attention was given to how
people can communicate with others throughout various cultures in the Holy Spirit and how local
churches and international missions can work together to fulfill the Great Commission as
outlined by Jesus in John 17. The call for unity in the church to fulfill the Great Commission
was especially highlighted.
11
Bibliography
Chang Tim C., and Ashley E. Chang, Christian Intercultural Communication: Sharing God’s
Love with People Of Other Cultures, Dubuque: Kendall Hunt Publishing Company, 2021.
Elmer, Duane, Cross-Cultural Conflict: Building Relationships for Effective Ministry, Downers
Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993.
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/religious-beliefs-in-chad.html
Livermore, David, Leading with Cultural Intelligence: The Real Secret to Success, 2nd ed., New
York: AMACOM, 2015.
Moon, Jay W., and W. Bud Simon, Effective Intercultural Evangelism: Good News In A Diverse
World, Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2021.
Moreau, Scott A., Evvy Hay Campbell, and Susan Greener, Effective Intercultural
Communication: A Christian perspective, Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2014.
Qureshi, Nabeel, Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2018.
Roberts, Darrell, CQ Report: Self-Assessment Pro, January 26, 2025.
Ting-Toomey, Stella, and Leeva C. Chung, Understanding Intercultural Communication, Los
Angeles: Roxbury Publishing Company, 2005.
