INTERCULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH
Faculty and Staff Engagement through the Intercultural Development Inventory
CPA ’ s 2017 Strategic Plan included two strategic initiatives to “ Grow Our Us ” and “ Mature Our Mission ,” both of which have manifested in continual awareness , conversation , and community / curricular programming at the Academy . A valuable byproduct of these initiatives is the global faculty and staff training through the Intercultural Development Inventory TM ( IDI ) guided by the Institute of Cross-Cultural Mission ( ICCM of Grace D . C . Network ). Campus training sessions through the IDI are led by PCA Mission North America African American Ministries coordinator Wy Plummer and involve an initial diagnostics test to identify where each individual falls on the intercultural continuum : denial , polarization , minimization , acceptance , and adaptation . The program proceeds with monthly small-group discussions designed to promote the overall goal of gospel-centered sanctification through growth in mindset , understanding , and intercultural fluency .
This year ’ s small-group meetings were joined by CPA Spiritual Life ’ s Pastor of Cross-Cultural Mission and Discipleship Arneal Strain . Arneal also chairs the Academy ’ s internal intercultural task force for problem solving and diversity . Arneal and Wy ’ s implementation of individual action steps , resources , and growth plans are in continual work at CPA campus-wide .
“ The IDI sessions were a safe place to listen , talk , and gain understanding of cultural differences . Broadening of perspectives and discovering personal blind spots is a slow , gradual process , and I know there is much more growth to come ,” said one faculty member when asked about the IDI sessions . Others shared feedback on the experience , describing it as “ challenging ,” “ enlightening ,” “ stimulating ,” and “ stretching .”
Year two of this program ’ s work at CPA ( the partnership started in 2019 ) has proven to be a valuable time of growth and engagement for faculty and staff , from which positive change will flow into the greater community , undergirded by a Christian worldview . All development under these two CPA Strategic Plan initiatives is concurrent with the Academy ’ s mission of transformation through education via the message of Christ ( the gospel ), delivered in the method of Christ ( the pedagogy ), through the manner of Christ ( compassion , kindness , and humility ).
To read more about this , visit cpalions . org / interculturaldevelopment
16 PURPLE & GOLD 2020-21