7 Core Commitments of a Multi-Ethnic Church
By Wade | Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Fred, Rob, Gary Laing (our missionary to Cambodia) and I went to a symposium yesterday morning about intercultural church.
When Jesus kicked the merchants out of the Temple, he said, “Scripture says, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a gathering place for thieves” (Mark 11:17). A house of prayer for all nations.
What’s interesting is that in the last couple of decades church growth strategists have told us that to grow the church we should focus on a specific demographic and gear our communication, programs and church life for that group. It’s called the homogenous principle. So to be successful and grow your local church, create a church for bikers. A church for suburban families. A church for urban professionals. A church for Koreans. A church for Africans. A church for White Europeans. Etc…etc…etc…
The idea is that people will attract people that look like them, have the same interests as them, and share the same values. Pragmatically speaking, it makes sense and it works. But is that what God wants for the church? Is this what a house of prayer for all nations looks like?
At Crosslands, we’re committed to being an intercultural church. Will it be more difficult? Probably. Are there challenges? Absolutely. But the face of Newmarket/Aurora is changing and we need to be prepared.
Here’s a handout from the symposium. These are definitely some things that we’re going to have to think through:
7 Core Commitments of a Multi-Ethnic Church
From Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church by Mark Deymaz
1. Embrace Dependence – What do you think “dependence” might mean for a leadership wanting a ministry to become more intercultural? What would they need to know before they go in this direction?
2. Take Intentional Steps – What intentional steps do you think church leadership should take to move towards embracing the nations among them?
3. Empower Diverse Leadership – How have you gone about empowering diverse leadership and what has been the outcome?
4. Develop Cross-Cultural Relationships – What and how should ministry leaders develop cross-cultural relationships?
5. Pursue Cross-Cultural Competence – How would you ensure that all those leading and serving within your organization are cross-culturally competent?
6. Promote a Spirit of Inclusion – How is a spirit of inclusion reflected in the daily operation of your ministry (in the worship, greeters, illustrations, times of events, languages used, etc.)?
7. Mobilize for Impact – In mobilizing for impact what have you found to be the three most effective ministries and what is the most creative one?
Category: Stuff
Comments (5)
Definitely the church should avoid being homogeneous and strive to be intercultural. It is hard because it can be uncomfortable and a lot of people like the ‘comfort’ they feel at church, but church should not really be about being ‘comfortable’ – in fact if anything it should sometimes make us uncomfortable, as that is what will avoid complacence and challenge us to think about what Jesus really wants…
People come to church to FEEL COMFORTABLE. Not the other way around! It doesn’t matter what ethnic group you are to me. If you want a multi-ethnic church then the church has no choice but to adapt to different ethnic values and systems of belief. If a Church can’t express themselves in a manner that is similar to other cultures, no matter how hard the Church may try — getting people to walk through the doors will be difficult to near impossible. Why do you think there are so many different denominations and so many different cultural churches?
You are right Adam. I guess what I meant by the Church should make us feel ‘uncomfortable’ was in challenging our ideas and complacency. The Church does need to be a place where everyone feels comfortable coming. That can be done I think mostly by making all people feel welcomed and to be friendly and caring enough to get to know them. The message is what I think needs to sometimes ‘wake us all up’.
Let me tell you all a short story. This story was my very first story in leadership training. The story is fictional but illustrates clearly what we are talking about and can be applied across all religions and systems of belief.
Many centuries ago there lived a woman whom was a great spiritual teacher. She drew many seekers to the teachings she revealed, and around her formed a group of devoted disciples. After many years of study the disciples left and journeyed to other lands, hoping to spread the teachings they had learned.
The years went by and one day the disciples returned and sought out their old teacher. Once they found her, the disciples posed a question to the master. “We have,” their spokesperson remarked, “traveled to many lands, and discovered many different teachings that are unlike the ways you have taught us.” The master calmly nodded in acknowledgment, and the disciple continued, “Therefore we are confused, so can you tell us what is the true religion?”
The master looked up with a patient smile and replied, “All of the religions of the world are like individual pearls. Each of them formed around a different grain of sand, in different waters, under different conditions.” The the master looked directly at the spokesperson and spoke softly, saying: “But if you ask me which is the true pearl, I will tell you that none of them are the one true pearl. Instead the truth is the thread that runs through, holding them together as a necklace, and that is the one truth you seek.”
END OF STORY
This is how I see the churches needing to reflect their values. Only then will a Church grow to unbelievable proportions with many, many adherents.
Great story Adam! So true.