7 Principles of the New Culture – Introduction

(10 votes, average: 9.20 out of 10)

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In this series of seven articles (~30 pages total) Chad Brennan, the Director of ReNew Partnerships, presents foundational principles for Christians who want to handle ethnic relations in a biblical and effective way.

9 Basic Steps For Transitioning To A Multi-ethnic Church By Art Lucero

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“The increasing diversity of communities and the declining demographic of established churches offers them the opportunity to transition from a mono-ethnic to a multi-ethnic congregation. Here are nine basic steps to take your church through the process.

Study your community. Familiarize yourself with the demographics of your community and their needs. Ministering to one’s felt needs allows you to minister to the real need the forgiveness of sins. Community service type ministries not only meet the needs of the community but they can build a bridge to share the Gospel.”

A Better Vision for Short-Term Missions by Eric Iverson

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“It is my responsibility to fight the economic conditions, which we introduce to thousands of Christians every year, so that they may create life-change for their students and then maybe those communities too.”

A Biblical Theology of the City by Tim Keller

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This resource is located at: http://theresurgence.com/tim_keller_2002_a_biblical_theology_of_the_city

A Framework for Social Healing by Andrew Sears

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“This material provides an introduction to a vision of “Social Healing” as a way to transform ourselves, our churches and our society to address injustice and bring the Gospel to our communities and the world. The goal of this material will help us to better understand our own church cultures and how to foster minority cultures within our church communities to develop communities that can more effectively address injustice.”

A Guide to African-Americans and Religion

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This resource is located at:  http://www.religionlink.org/tip_070108.php

A Guide to Hispanics and Religion in the U.S.

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This resource is located at:  http://www.religionlink.org/tip_061204.php

A Mighty River or a Slippery Slope? by Mark Labberton

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Many 20-somethings I know are deeply confident in the grace and truth of Jesus Christ, and also deeply humbled about their place in the world. Neither zealotry nor triumphalism holds any appeal. They see the world in overwhelming need on every level and feel compelled to respond.

A More Excellent Way by Brenda Salter McNeil

(4 votes, average: 7.75 out of 10)

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Click here to view this resource: A More Excellent Way by Brenda Salter McNeil An update on Dr. McNeil’s biographical information at the end of this article… This article was published in 2005 while she was serving on staff with InterVarsity.  She is currently serving as President and Founder of Salter McNeil & Assoc.  She [...]

A Multi-Ethnic Ministry Framework for Campus Ministry: Holding Tightly to the Lord and Loosely to Our Own Agenda by Paul Sorrentino

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“Majority people have many of their social and cultural core issues addressed by the broader society and may not even need to think about them. Because of this, majority people are much more likely to focus on personal core issues. Because personal core issues are common to all people, there is some attraction to these areas for people of color as well. However, like Eric Erikson’s basic needs pyramid, it is far more difficult for students of color to focus on personal core issues alone when so many other needs are pressing.”

A Multiethnic Model of the Church by Russell Rosser

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“The multiethnic, multicongregational church is a church that has adopted the challenge of biblical justice and mission in the context of cultural diversity, racial tensions, increased pluralism, and multiple linguistic and cultural complexities to build symbiotic relationships and harmony between diverse groups, intent on bringing biblical reconciliation between them. The foundation for this display of the Kingdom of God is the reconciling power of the cross of Christ that brings people to obedience to the vision of God for all humanity. The multiethnic and multicongregational church provides for both autonomy and interdependency.”

A New Day Dawning? by David R. Swartz

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“In Jesus and Justice he does precisely that, circling back to Friday’s injustices, only to return again to Sunday in declaring his confidence in a resurrection of authentic social justice. Switching metaphors, Heltzel concludes that American evangelicalism has matured into a prophetic movement “in a shade of blue-green—blue representing the tragedy of black suffering and green symbolizing the hope of a new social engagement with poverty, AIDS, and the environment.”

A New Kind of Urban Christian by Tim Keller

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This resource is located at: http://www.christianvisionproject.com/2006/06/a_new_kind_of_urban_christian.html

A New Kind of Urban Ministry by Andy Crouch

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“It is not just tough urban neighborhoods that need shalom. What would bring comprehensive flourishing to those who commute in and out of the city every day? What would bring it to neighborhoods where high housing prices create a monoculture of affluence?”

A Repenting Church by Doug Tegner

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“There are four sins we must deal with. (And I described instances of Arrogance, Hydroplaning, Gossip, and Gracelessness.) All have been observed in Pulpit, and Pew, and Parking Lot, and Public. These four venues describe our sins’ scope as we have seen these sins emanate from leaders and subgroups within the congregation; individually in the parking lot, and often displayed in front of the community—among non-believers as well as Christians from other churches.”

A Spanish Service Is Not Enough by Daniel Rodriguez

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“Here is the main challenge: Conventional Spanish-speaking ministry models are unintentionally designed to preserve the language and cultural preferences of foreign-born Latinos. My research during the past five years has convinced me that as the church’s attention and resources have been drawn to the rapid growth of the Hispanic evangelical church during the past three decades, they have unintentionally overlooked U.S.-born English-dominant Latinos. “

A Study on Race in the New Testament by William Larkin

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“Racial/ ethnic prejudice was a definite factor in ancient life and thought. Relations among the ethnic groups in an ever expanding Roman empire was a problem to be constantly addressed. And for Christianity with its gospel for all peoples, the barriers of prejudice spawned by pride, fear, and the desire to dominate had to be broken through if the church was to be a faithful expression of the truths on which it was founded.”

A Tale of Three Churches by Gary Teja

(2 votes, average: 5.50 out of 10)

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This resource is located at: http://www.thebanner.org/magazine/article.cfm?article_id=122 Excerpt from the article: "When it comes to racial and ethnic diversity in the Christian Reformed Church, these are the best of times—and the worst of times. Churches either succeed at becoming multiethnic or they fail miserably. Granted, it’s not an easy task, but in many senses, it’s not [...]

A Time to Dream by Glen Kinoshita

(1 votes, average: 10.00 out of 10)

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“So, just as Dr. Martin Luther King articulated his dream for a nation over thirty years ago, I sought to articulate my dream for cultural and ethnic diversity in Christian Higher Education. What would a campus committed to diversity look like?”

Advice To My Nephew Woodworm On The Subject Of Worship, By Uncle Tapescrew By Ronald Man

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“My dear Woodworm,

When human creatures first come into the world, they are notorious for their single-minded focus on their basic needs, and their effectiveness in making those needs known. They make it very clear to everyone around them that they want what they want, and they want it NOW, and they won’t rest until they get it. — Delightfully, many of them never seem to advance beyond this stage!”

Against the Current

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In 2003, Hill left a suburban megachurch to plant River City Community Church in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood. Founded by an intentionally diverse team of leaders, the congregation of 250 is now 60 percent white and 40 percent African, Latino, and Asian-American. Leadership spoke with Hill and River City’s multi-ethnic leadership team about their unexpected challenges.

Alabama Immigration Law Will Crimp Outreach by Ken Walker

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“‘It will definitely affect the Hispanic church,’ said Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference. “They will be fearful of even using vans to pick up [church] members—many of whom can’t afford their own cars and depend on the church for transportation.
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Alternative Capitalist by Mark Moring

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As an industrial psychologist, Jonathan Golden helped companies grow stronger through team building and management training. But he wanted to do something more. When a Rwandan bishop encouraged him to help coffee farmers in Rwanda, Golden was sold. As an industrial psychologist, Jonathan Golden helped companies grow stronger through team building and management training. But he wanted to do something more. When a Rwandan bishop encouraged him to help coffee farmers in Rwanda, Golden was sold.

Americans Say Serving the Needy is Christianity’s Biggest Contribution to Society by Barna Group

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“Most Americans believe that the Christian faith has made positive contributions to American society during the past few years. A new nationwide survey from The Barna Group reveals that most of those contributions fall into one of three categories. Surprisingly, the survey also discovered that Americans are even more likely to identify negative contributions to society by Christianity in recent years.”

An Incomplete Reconciliation

(1 votes, average: 8.00 out of 10)

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Excerpt: But it is not just the straightforward testimony to life with Christ that stirred me. Ironically, in the week since first reading Home to Holly Springs, I have found that it is Karon’s limited reckoning with racism that has most deeply convicted me. It is one thing, an easy thing, for me to sit [...]

Arizona, immigration reform and Christian values by Gabriel Salguero and David P. Gushee

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Just as Evangelicals in times past have stood together on the abolition of slavery, women’s suffrage, and global struggles against poverty, religious persecution, and AIDS/HIV, we must once again demonstrate a mosaic of solidarity around comprehensive immigration reform–a reform that reflects God’s mandate to remember the stranger for we were once strangers.

Asian American views on Ethnic Specific Ministry and Multi-ethnic Ministry by Collin Tomikawa & Sandy Schaupp

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“For many in the majority culture, ethnicity is a non-category. It is not something many think about and perhaps can create a blind spot in how we see the Scriptures. Ironically, in many Asian American specific settings ethnic identity is never explored. Race and ethnicity are not things the Scriptures are silent about. Perhaps as the Asian American community gains more perspective on race and culture in the Scriptures we can bring a more accurate picture of our God to the Church.”

Bamboozled by Alvin Sanders

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“You can change the form of how we do church in America but you can’t change the reality of the problems of pastoral leadership. What Pastor Shaun, my colleague, and many others who want Matt. 22:37-40 churches need is to develop the lost art of lament.”

Barna Group: America’s Seven Faith Tribes Hold the Key to National Restoration

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“Many of our religious organizations have focused on competing for bodies, dollars and talent rather than upholding core values such as service, obedience, simplicity, purpose, responsibility, accountability, humility, compassion and community. Without our faith tribes playing their historic role as the moral and spiritual leaders of the nation, we have taken our values cues from the political and business sectors. That has lowered the bar on character and vision. That, in turn, has led the nation to deteriorate from a place on unity amidst diversity to a place of individualism amidst competition for personal comfort and supremacy.”

Barna Researches How Race and Religion Relate

(1 votes, average: 9.00 out of 10)

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This resource is located at: http://news.christiansunite.com/Religion_News/religion01377.shtml Excerpt… “Nationwide Barna surveys of more than 2,600 American adults revealed marked differences between the African-American, Asian, Hispanic, and white populations of the U.S. in the areas of their religious beliefs, religious practices, and faith-influenced attitudes. The researchers interviewed randomly selected adults, asking about eight specific religious behaviors and [...]

Becoming a Multi-Ethnic Suburban Church by Marty Schoenleber, Jr.

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“So with great ignorance, we began to move forward with our plans to become a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural church. Part of what drove our vision was the concept that every culture and ethnicity, every socio-economic and even political group sees both more and less of God and His will because of the spectacles with which they approach the Scripture and life.”

Before ‘Transforming’ Your Neighborhood, Talk to Your Neighbors by Christopher Smith

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“We’ve discovered that this kind of conversation is an active way of life—essential to the abundant life into which we have been called in Christ Jesus. Finding God moving in our midst and transforming our neighborhoods, continuing the work of reconciling a broken world and drawing it deeper into the communion for which it was created—it all started, at least for us, with stopping long enough to listen.”

Believe it? Then live it! By Andrew Smith

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“At the heart of the gospel is the message of reconciliation. The American Heritage Dictionary associates reconciliation more closely with penance – an act of devotion performed voluntarily to show sorrow for a sin or other wrongdoing. Our need to demonstrate reconciliation culturally and ethnically within our churches is not about pursuing uniformity or cultural and ethnic dismantlement. Reconciliation is a message of togetherness and oneness. Intentional or unintentional exclusivity is not simply a matter of personal preference…it is sin that needs to be set right.”

Beyond the Comfort Zone by Rob Corcoran

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This resource is located at: http://hopeinthecities.org/node/23240 Please Note: This is not a Christian article but we have included it in our resource section because it contains material that you may find helpful for discussion.

Big Fish & Small Towns by Mark Wilson

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“Our small Northwoods community isn’t on the way to anywhere. It’s a destination point. Locals say it’s not the end of the earth, but if it weren’t for the trees, you could see it from here! Soon after arriving from southern California 20 years ago, I discovered that small town ministry includes some unique challenges”

Blessed Are the Courageous

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This resource is located at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/aprilweb-only/114-12.0.html CT received a great deal of criticism for this article. Read their response in Blessed is the Law–Up to a Point article. Excerpt:

Blessed is the Law—Up to a Point

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This resource is located at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/aprilweb-only/114-53.0.html This article is CT’s response to the criticism they received due to the Blessed Are the Courageous article. Excerpt: “Since nearly every critic expressed this exact sentiment, we thought some clarifications were in order, as well as a challenge for our law-and-order brothers and sisters. While legislation has been [...]

Can Megachurches Bridge the Racial Divide?

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But in some churches, the racial divide is beginning to erode, and it is fading fastest in one of American religion’s most conservative precincts: Evangelical Christianity. According to Michael Emerson, a specialist on race and faith at Rice University, the proportion of American churches with 20% or more minority participation has languished at about 7.5% for the past nine years. But among Evangelical churches with attendance of 1,000 people or more, the slice has more than quadrupled, from 6% in 1998 to 25% in 2007.

Challenges Facing Immigrant Pastors & Congregations Meeting In English Speaking Churches

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“The growing immigrant community in America is a literal cross-cultural mission field at our doorstep. Over the years efforts made to reach these precious souls with the Gospel by an existing English-speaking congregation has proven difficult it not disastrous. Below are the observations of two men regarding the challenges facing immigrant churches and pastors when meeting in English speaking churches.”

Change Colors by Edward Gilbreath

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“Racial reconciliation among evangelicals is one of those slippery topics that come and go based on which national leader is currently jazzed about it. Back in the mid-1990s, when the Southern Baptists, Pentecostals, and Promise Keepers were riding high on the reconciliation bandwagon, it was all the rage. But Christians who are engaged in race and justice issues on a daily basis know that these periods of heightened interest typically fade after people lose that initial ‘we are one’ buzz.”

Characteristics of a Reconciler by Curtiss Paul DeYoung

(2 votes, average: 9.00 out of 10)

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“Our faith expresses itself through reconciliation with God, ourselves, and others. Given this understanding, the image of an artisan of reconciliation is a compelling one. An artisan is an individual who becomes exceptionally accomplished at a skill by committing his or her life to developing a craft. Artisans of reconciliation devote their lives to becoming more skilled at the art of relational bridge building. We delight at the opportunity to sharpen our diplomatic skills in the drama of human social intercourse. We are faithful in developing our God-given reconciling gifts within the context of separation and alienation.
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Choosing Multi-Ethnic Over Mega by Brandon O’Brien

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This resource is located at: http://blog.christianitytoday.com/outofur/archives/2008/04/choosing_multie.html

Christianity Thrives among ‘Gypsies’ Despite Prejudice by Trevor Persaud

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Acton is deeply impressed by Roma Christians’ ability to find joy in their faith while living on a continent that has rejected their people for centuries. “I think the Romani witness that is emerging—as it gets written down [and] people understand what is going on—[will be seen as] a moment in world religion,” he said.

Christians For Comprehensive Immigration Reform by CCIR

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We call for an end to the unproductive, divisive, and fear-driven anti-immigrant rhetoric in the media, which has often castigated all immigrants, regardless of citizenship status, and derailed attempts at true reform. As Christian leaders who share the biblical values named below, we commit to fostering civil dialogue on immigration in our churches and in our communities. We call on President Barack Obama to provide the leadership necessary to move from the hateful rhetoric that has often characterized this national debate to action that will fix our broken immigration system. We look forward to working alongside the president to lead a new national conversation on immigration policy that reflects the best of our moral and civic values.

Church 2 Church by Matt Woodley

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“When Pastor Joe Wittwer visited Iglesia Elim in Armenia, El Salvador, he saw the massive needs and wanted to help. He had already formed a close bond with Elim’s husband and wife pastoral team, Frank and Paty Ardon. Despite gang warfare in the neighborhood, they were partnering with Compassion International to provide weekly care for more than 300 children and their families.”

Church uses creative arts to reach across cultures

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“It’s said that 11 a.m. on Sunday is the most segregated hour in America,” said Anderson, 44, who has been preaching in some capacity for 24 years. “As a multicultural church, representing people from 42 nations, we seek to put a stop to that.”

Civility Under Fire by Colson and George

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“Our country is grappling with many high-stakes, emotionally charged issues: government spending, war, medical care, collective bargaining rights, abortion, gay marriage. Our democracy cannot prosper if people vilify, slander, and even shout down those with whom they disagree.”

Color Blindness, Political Correctness, or Racial Reconciliation: Christian Ethics and Race by George Yancey

(2 votes, average: 10.00 out of 10)

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“Reconciliation theology offers a third way to examine the problems of race within our society. It is an ideology that evangelicals may be able to use to attract non-believers who are dissatisfied with the answers that they have received from the two secular models. It is also a model by which Christians can gain a better understanding of racial issues. Therefore, we must find ways to communicate our vision of reconciliation to the larger American society. We need our churches to go beyond superficial racial platitudes to make the Body of Christ an instrument that develops healthy, close, egalitarian, and reconciled racial relationships.”

Confessions and Traps

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This resource is located at: http://www.urbanministry.org/confessions-and-traps

Connection: The Key to Keeping Minority Members by Bradley Christerson

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“If one cannot find a church community where deep friendships and social connections can be built, that person will often leave to find another community because this is their primary place to find community. This is one of the main reasons that multiethnic/multiracial congregations are so difficult to establish and sustain.”

Cultural Intelligence and its role in Effective Multicultural Ministry by David Livermore

(1 votes, average: 7.00 out of 10)

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“The question that drives our research on cultural intelligence is this: Why do some individuals and ministries easily and effectively adapt their views and behaviors cross-culturally and others don’t? What factors explain the difference?”

Denominations Pursuing Diversity By Christine Scheller

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“The SBC’s efforts are bold, especially in light of its complicated history with race relations. But it’s far from the first predominantly white evangelical denomination to get serious about racial and ethnic diversity. The Evangelical Free Church of America (EFCA) and the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) have been at it for a long time, too. And, despite inevitable challenges, both are making headway.”

Developing a Multi-ethnic, Multi-cultural Praise Team By Gregory Hooper

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“Our mission statement as a worship arts ministry is ‘To celebrate Jesus’ life transforming power through creative arts, to create an atmosphere that invites people of all ethnicities to worship the living God and to cultivate spiritual growth and character development in all of our members.’”

Diverse Living Shapes My Racial Beliefs

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This resource is located at: http://consumingjesus.org/2008/06/05/diverse-living-shapes-my-racial-beliefs/

Do Churches Contribute to Their Communities by Barna Group

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“Although public skepticism of religion has become increasingly commonplace, a new Barna Group study shows that most Americans remain relatively upbeat about the role that local churches play in their communities.
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Down with the Homogeneous Unit Principle? by David Swanson

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“The HUP is seen less favorably these days, but it remains common for church planters to target culturally similar people. Categories such as cultural elites, the creative class, or young professionals may sound exotic but are often used to describe people most like the church planter.”

Eight Trends That Will Shape the Future of Global Missions by Eric Swanson

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“The future of missions will be shaped by mutuality between East and West, North and South, sending and receiving nations. Because there are now vibrant believers and thriving churches in Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eurasia, and even the Middle East, we in the West shouldn’t think of ourselves as the saving force in world missions. Churches worldwide are learning to come together.”

Empowering Communities – Interview with John Perkins

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“We have developed a program called the Voorhees Ave. Leadership House. This is a joint program with Seattle Pacific University. At the house we are taking young black men and adding young white men, primarily from Seattle, who come down and go to school at Jackson State. Jackson State is an all-black school and so the white students become a minority. What we have at the Voorhees Ave. House is a sort of a reconciling community. We are supporting those young blacks and also helping them to overcome their own inferiority, and of course we are helping the whites to overcome their superiority. That’s what that house is for. It is an experiment; it takes time.”

Enlarging your worship culture

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Excerpt: “There is a pressing need for a new way for diverse people to come together in worship. North America is becoming increasingly multicultural. Universities and colleges are unique shelters of hundreds for people groups. If we are to be people who are sent out to love God’s children throughout the world, we must start [...]

Ethnic Blends by Mark DeYmaz

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“In one church I know, over 100 people were hired, over the course of eight years, to fill positions of leadership. But only two minorities were hired in ministry positions, and one in an administrative role. Yet this was a town that was nearly 40 percent black! Each time a new pastor was hired, the leaders would say, ‘We are pleased to announce that we have found the best man for the job.’ He was always white and in many other ways reflective of core leadership.”

Ethnic Blends? by Mark DeYmaz

(1 votes, average: 10.00 out of 10)

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This resource is located at:  http://www.christianitytoday.com/le/2008/002/11.49.html

Exit Interviews: Why blacks are leaving evangelical ministries by Edward Gilbreath

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This resource is located at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/february/4.104.html

Five Steps Toward Christian Intercultural Teaching by Jim Sutherland

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This resource is located at:  http://www.rmni.org/1/missions/5-steps-for-intercultural-teaching.html

Flipping the Switch by Angie Ward

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“Rick was a changed man, and the principles behind what happened to him—and what must happen for any individual or organization to change—are the subject of Switch: How to Change Things When Change is Hard by Chip Heath and Dan Heath.”

Forgiveness and Reconciliation by Sarah Mirembe

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“Someone who has been offended or deeply hurt will usually feel they have a right to be angry, hurt and bitter. They may even plan to take revenge. In contrast, God asks us to trust him with our pain, trust him for justice, and forgive those who hurt us (Romans 12:17-20). “

From Galatia to Baltimore by Robert Lynn

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This resource is located at: http://www.breakpoint.org/listingarticle.asp?ID=7108

From Multiethnic Family to Multiethnic Church by Peter Park

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“Mike explains: the multiethnic church lives out the gospel; in essence…it is the gospel. There is more reconciliation, hope, healing, and problems that get solved when you’re involved in a multiethnic church. And the truth of the matter is you are going to get resistance from people in your own congregation, denomination, and peers. If it isn’t a conviction, then you’ll quit and go back to what you were doing before.”

Getting Real About Reconciliation by Todd Minturn

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This resource is located at:  http://www.urbana.org/_articles.cfm?RecordId=217

God’s New Humanity by David Stevens

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“Furthermore, our understanding and appreciation of who we are as a community of believers will inevitably determine how we live in community with other believers who are different from us. Where there is a crisis of identity, there is a dearth of authenticity, genuine community, and ethnic reconciliation.”

Going to Bat for His Neighbors

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Excerpt: "On an evening walk in August 1990, Muzikowski met an African-American man named Al Carter, who was conducting batting practice with some kids. Carter, a product of the neighborhood, carried with him its history and hope. Carter’s local knowledge and involvement provided Muzikowski something, despite his many business contacts downtown, he couldn’t purchase. The [...]

Got Mail? Diversity Dialogues Across the Digital Divide

(1 votes, average: 10.00 out of 10)

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“As “iron sharpens iron,” students from different backgrounds educate one another through their critical dialogues. Back and forth they go on their computers, sharing inquires and glimpses into the vigorous process taking place inside them. Their response to one another sheds light and opens new worlds of thought and perspectives.”

Harder than Anyone Can Imagine

(1 votes, average: 9.00 out of 10)

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This resource is located at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/april/23.36.html Excerpt from the article: "Hybels: Willow Creek started in the era when, as the book noted, the church-growth people were saying, "Don’t dissipate any of your energies fighting race issues. Focus everything on evangelism." It was the homogeneous unit principle of church growth. And I remember as a young [...]

Healing the Spirit of Black Inferiority By Edward Gilbreath

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I was privileged to serve on my church’s New Beginnings leadership team and had long been interested in finding ways to help Black Enola G. Airdpeople work to overcome the myth of Black inferiority — the myth created centuries ago to justify the enslavement and subjugation of Black people. It says that Black people are not as smart, not as beautiful, not as lovable, and not as valuable, as other people. It is still undermining us.

Healing Through Listening by Angus Murray

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“A good way to support someone’s healing process is to be an active listener. Many people rarely experience this sort of listening and it can be a great source of healing. You do not need to be a professional counsellor to listen effectively. The following are some key skills for active listening. “

Honoring Others by Peter Park

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Something that I feel the Korean culture does very well is honoring their elders. There is an expectation, as a younger person, where your job is to be their servant and value who they are. And that means having them sit down first during meals, bringing their meals to them, listening to their advice, etc.

Hope Deferred by Stephen Carter

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This resource is located at:  http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2004/july/19.64.html

Hopes buoyed on race relations

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“To be sure, race remains a flashpoint and a divide. Blacks are much more likely than whites to say that racism against blacks persists — 72% of blacks say it is widespread, compared with 49% of whites — but they are also more optimistic that Obama’s election will improve that.”

How Do We Handle the Big Issues Facing the Church? by Tim Keller

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“There are too many kinds of ‘never-churched-non-Christians.’ There are Arabs in Detroit, Hmongs in Chicago, Chinese and Jews in New York City, Anglos in the Northwest and Northeast that were raised by secular parents—some are artists and creative types, some work in business. All of these are growing groups of never-churched, but they are very different from one another. No model can connect to them all—every model can connect to some. “

How the Faith of African-Americans Has Changed

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“Compared to the other three ethnic groups, blacks emerged as the most likely to engage in each of five church-related activities in a typical week (attending church services, participating in a small group, attending a Sunday school class, praying, and reading the Bible). They were also the most likely to have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ that is still important in their life and to have an “active faith” (i.e., attend church services, pray to God and read from the Bible during the week). They also had the lowest proportion of unchurched adults and were the ethnic group least likely to be Catholic.”

How to Become a Successful Religion (satire) by Mark Galli

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“There also seems to be a fair amount of mission confusion. Some are saying you are a Jewish religion, others a religion for all takers. We advise against the latter until you are well established in Judea first. So we encourage you to curtail the activities of that fellow Paul and his friend Barnabas. If they are successful in their outreach, it will prematurely muddy the movement and confuse people. If you insist on reaching out to Gentiles (frankly, we’d advise against it, since it will only work against your outreach to your target audience), you can do so once your reputation is firmly established.
“

How To Prepare To Launch An Immigrant Ministry Through an Established Congregation by Jose Fernandez

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“Spanish-speaking church planters experience conflicts as they attempt to establish an ethnic ministry within an Anglo church.. The issues are fairly common and can be minimized, if not eliminated, by the implementation of an integration strategy that can serve both groups. Here are seven points of consideration for such a strategy.”

How We Transitioned a Homogenous Church by Dr. Wayne Schmidt

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“During my last four years as Senior Pastor (August 2005 to December 2009) KCC became about 15% ethnic minority, and then I had the privilege of passing the leadership baton to Kyle Ray, an African American who was KCC’s Outreach Pastor since 2006 and is now Lead Pastor.”

Hues in the Pews by John Dart

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This resource is located at: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_7_118/ai_71949662 Excerpt from the article: " The Congregations Project, based at Rice, is believed to be the first large study focused on racial and ethnic diversity within Christian houses of worship. Emerson and colleagues say the data show that mixed churches are a rare breed in America–counting for only 8 [...]

I Wouldn’t Use This Word With Koreans by Peter Park

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“Sometimes the only places you can make fun of your own culture is within your own culture or amongst a very close group of friends.” 

I’ve Been Thinking

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This resource is located at: http://www.urbanministry.org/ive-been-thinking

Illegal Immigrants in the Church? by Matthew Soerens

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“The church’s Great Commission is to “make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19), and immigrants—regardless of their legal status—present a mission field at our doorstep. Churches should welcome immigrants, recognizing a divinely appointed mission opportunity.”

In Class Today: Mosaic Churches by David Park

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“Culture is one of those weird words. Anyone who has studied anthropology may know how slippery this word is. Some definitions then… Culture: variously defined–all culture participates in both the dignity of humanity created in God’s image AND in the brokenness of humanity. Multiculture: either pluralistic, where each culture contributes to the whole, or particularistic, where concern is to preserve the particular characteristics of each. Multiethnic: consisting of people from various “people groups” (cultural, tribal, national identities = “the ethnos”)”

Individualism Shines Through Americans’ 2011 New Year’s Resolutions

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“There were virtually no mentions of volunteering or serving others; only a handful of comments about marriage or parenting; almost no responses focusing on being a better friend; and only a small fraction of people mentioned improving their connection with God.”

Intercultural Fiesta Fail by Leslie Leyland Fields

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“Now, back home, I realize it is a travesty to try to erase what lies between us, which is not simply distance but skin color, language, education, worldview, lifestyle, life span, and myriad other real distinctions. Surely these matter.
The basis for loving our neighbors, and for unity in Christ, is not proximity, understanding, or commonality. We are one in Christ not because we are one and the same, but because Christ is the same. It is an impoverished theology that mistakes unity in Christ for sameness in Christ.”

Interview with Charles Marsh

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This resource is located at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2005/februaryweb-only/32.0c.html

Interview with Chris Rice

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This resource is located at:   http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/novemberweb-only/11-11-23.0.html

Interview with Dave Gibbons

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“Well, I did notice just how ethnocentric congregations were. I had grown up in a pretty homogeneous white church and went to megachurches that were all white. That always bothered me. Why was this going on?

Then I went to a Korean Church and quickly realized they had the same issues. If the truth were known, they’d hate it if their children married an African America guy—or, for many of them, even a white guy.”

Interview with InterVarsity’s Director of Multiethnic Ministries

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Excerpt: "We want to join hands with students and faculty and create an environment where people from every ethnic group can come and experience the love of God and meet people who are followers of Jesus. How do we help make that happen? Recently, I attended a diversity training workshop and learned that any time [...]

Interview with John Perkins

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This resource is located at:   http://www.theotherjournal.com/article.php?id=65

Interview with Rick Richardson and Brenda Salter-McNeil

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Excerpt: In what ways does God prod Christians today to "get out of Jerusalem"? Brenda: The dominant culture of the United States is experiencing some major wake-up calls. I don’t think you have to be one political party or another to say that right now we’re having some very difficult times economically, politically, socially, militarily. [...]

Interview with Rick Richardson and Brenda Salter-McNeil