Abstract
C. Douglas McConnell, provost emeritus, dean emeritus of the School of Intercultural Studies, and professor of leadership and intercultural studies, Fuller Theological Seminary, is eminently qualified to write on this topic of understanding cultures to become a better leader in organizations serving God’s mission in the world. Drawing heavily on new insights from cognitive studies, primarily in anthropology and to a lesser extent from psychology, he explores the dialectic of culture and human nature as the context underlying all the various worlds in which leaders serve. McConnell notes, “The purpose of this book is to help us explore what we are learning about culture and how it applies to leaders of organizations serving God’s mission” (184). He does this through a range of topics, including thinking missiologically, culture and human nature, the way we learn culture, authority and culture, the four worlds of Christian organizations, and the cultural influence on intercultural leadership.
Peppered with riveting case studies that illustrate his principles in each chapter, McConnell is primarily interested in the practical application of his insights and missiological principles to mission leadership. He states, “This book aims to take what we are learning about culture and apply it so as to shape, catalyze, and propel our organizations missionally” (139). He clearly accomplishes this goal. He also draws frequently throughout the book on the 2010 Lausanne Movement conference at Cape Town to illustrate many of his points. Perhaps because the author draws so extensively on cognitive anthropology, this reader occasionally had to wade through excessive jargon to arrive at the practical application McConnell was attempting to make.
Each of the eight chapters concludes with a review and reflection on the issues addressed in the chapter, with seven or eight questions for readers to ask of themselves and to reflect on concerning the way they are leading their organization. I found this feature to be very helpful in drawing together the insights from each chapter. This book is an excellent tool for the leadership team of mission organizations to read and discuss together, applying insights to their own lives and ministry.