Has the King Left the Building?

Why the Missional Church Needs Kingdom Cultural Intelligence (KQ)

Abstract

Christianity has a strategic problem. While Bible engagement rises, church attendance declines. In addition, the“State of the Great Commission” reports many American Christians seem apathetic to Christ’s call to evangelism and discipleship. How might the missional church better disciple the spiritually curious?

New believers do not come naturally equipped with knowing the cultural values of the church or the Kingdom of God. Like missionaries immersing in new cultures, they need to be acculturated. Drawing on cultural intelligence (CQ), this article introduces Kingdom cultural intelligence (KQ), then explores the cultural values of the Kingdom of God and how they differ from those of the secular world. By exploring conversion and discipleship through the lens of crossing culture, we can learn how Kingdom acculturation might be more effectively conducted and the suitable curriculum implemented for embracing Kingdom cultural values. While traditional discipleship tends to emphasize cognitive approaches, adults tend to benefit from other forms of learning when engaging in transformative practices. Applying a sociocultural lens to the Kingdom of God as presented in Scripture, this article proposes KQ as a missiological strategy to help disciple seekers, revitalizing the church’s mission in a spiritually hungry world.