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Multicultural Congregation

What is the essence of this choice?

The essence of this choice is to develop a congregation that is clearly multicultural, and not dominated by a single culture.

Multiple racial and ethnic groups, and various nationalities are represented in the participating membership, as well as in the core leadership of the congregation.

Worship is often diverse, multicultural, and even multilingual.

Discipleship and fellowship experiences also represent the full spectrum of cultures attracted to the congregation, rather than small groups breaking off into homogeneous groupings.

Evangelism and new member recruitment efforts focus on continuing to reach persons from various cultural perspectives.
 

Who ought to consider this choice?

Congregations who are located in a context that is multicultural should consider this choice.

It will be difficult to sustain for more than seven to nine years the multicultural nature of a congregation if its context is not also multicultural.

It is easier for a new congregation to embrace this choice than it is for an existing congregation to transition to this choice.

  • Existing congregations may have too much ownership of their former culture, and may—even without meaning to—come across with paternalism to other racial, ethnic, and nationality groups.

  • The core leadership community of a new or existing congregation must be multicultural from the beginning of any multicultural efforts for this choice to be effective.

It is easier to embrace this choice if the pastor’s household is multicultural and even multilingual. The pastor’s spouse might be of a different racial, ethnic, or national origin, and must be actively involved in the congregation.

  • If this is not the case, then the staff of the congregation must be multicultural and multilingual.
     

What are strategic change and transition issues to address?

Diversity is obviously empowered by the presence of various races, ethnic groups, and nationalities.

  • This presence must be authentic and genuine, and must permeate all dimensions of congregational life.

  • Any tokenism will destroy the true multicultural nature of the congregation.

  • While quotas for representing each racial, ethnic, or nationality within the congregation in every program, ministry, or activity is not the best approach, significant, obvious effort to embrace the full diversity of the congregation in everything that is done is an essential characteristic of true diversity.

A diversity of racial, ethnic, and nationality groups speaks very positively to a holistic application of the Gospel.

  • That allows this model to represent the New Testament church in an ideal form.

  • Multiculturalism also affirms a diversity of approaches to reach people for a Christ-centric faith journey, and involving them in a spiritual, strategic journey.

Harmony is empowered through this choice because it is probable that in the midst of great racial, ethnic, and national diversity there will be a significant unifying or organizing factor.

  • This can be a captivating vision the congregation is seeking to fulfill that may focus around a great spiritual perspective or missional goal.

One hunch is that a close analysis of many multicultural congregations will show that the clergy and laity leadership of these congregations have a similar socioeconomic, education, or cultural mindset.

  • This common mindset is part of what holds the congregation together.

  • In fact, in the leadership dimensions of the congregation it is much more difficult to have a diverse socioeconomic group of leaders represented than it is to have a diverse racial, ethnic, or nationality group represented.
     

What are essential resources to have available to embrace this choice?

Readiness, including a sense of urgency.

Case studies to observe and from which to learn. Discover and dialogue with congregation who have made this choice at least five years ago is essential.

Knowledge of the strategic actions called for by this choice.

A vision incorporated into a future story of the congregation’s potential.

A minimum critical mass of leadership.

Faithful, effective, and innovative actions.

Coaching from a coach for congregational leadership.
 

Does this choice fit your congregation? If you think the answer is "yes," click the Next button underneath It fits. If you're not sure, or you think the answer is probably "no," click the Next button underneath Look further to select another option from the full list of choices.

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