Multicultural, Cross-cultural, and Intercultural Perspectives.

I spent the week in St. Louis at the Multi-Ethnic Symposium and Multi-Asian Leadership Gathering. I’m leaving with so many questions and takeaways. Let’s find a time to meet up if you would like to hear about them.

One takeaway from the Keynote Presentation Mi Casa es Su Casa is that there is a difference between multicultural, cross-cultural, and intercultural perspectives.

​The speaker, Rev. Dr. Leo Sanchez, shared that a multicultural perspective acknowledges the presence of different cultures, races, and ethnicities. 

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However, there is little or no relationship or interaction with each other. I initially thought this was like our American understanding of tolerance, where everyone does their own thing and we coexist.

​He continues that cross-cultural perspectives imply that one culture brings gifts or “the goods,” and the other receives them. This perspective can lead to one-sided relationships, paternalism, and dependency. Typically, one culture dominates the other by default. This point was illustrated with a story of using a church kitchen where everyone can use it, but owned by one specific group who sets the rules. Dr. Sanchez shared that Jesus modeled intercultural perspectives for His disciples. He shares that, like a soccer team, everyone contributes. And each contribution brings something different; every contribution is equally valued. Together, each person and culture contributes to creating the whole. Reflecting on this point, I think of practical implications. Here are some initial thoughts:
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• Walking across the street to listen to and learn from my neighbor.
• Grab coffee or lunch with someone - we all need to eat. We can do it together. 
• Invite someone different than me not just to the table but to contribute fully.
• Be hospitable and overly generous to everyone. Always. With all things. 

Now, I did mention immigration in my note to you this week. And we did discuss that.

Many of us are left with the conviction that as Jesus' followers, we first ask how we can love and serve our migrant neighbors within the bounds of the law. It’s something to reflect on and continue to work out. But leading with the love and service of our neighbors - as Jesus did, opens so many doors and builds so many bridges that there might not be much time for legalities. We can entrust that to God using those appointed to figure that out. We are called to love and serve our neighbor. 

What do you think? I’d love to hear from you.

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