lntercultural leadership and Learning: Engaging Ministry in Diverse Contexts

Diverse cultural contexts in Canada and globally require leaders and learners who work with an artist ' s palette of knowledge, tools and experience. These ministry artists are able to listen to, engage and foster community within and beyond the walls of their organizations and churches, shaped by the biblical vision of shalom in which each person is able fully to be themselves, have their voices heard and share their gifts. Diversity within all our ministry contexts today is generated by relationships across culture, race, gender, class, education, region, geography and age. Histories of migration, relationships between settlers and Canada ' s indigenous peoples, and dynamics of power, privilege, and marginalization bring additional complexity. Canada ' s Truth and Reconciliation Commission highlights the need to respond to this complexity, including specific Calls to Action to build cultural competencies. There is a clear need for ministry leaders with increased skills in intercultural leadership and learning, transformational education, and theologies of intercultural ministry.