We were encouraged to add some very gifted (and much needed) co-workers to our ReNew team this January. As a part of their role with ReNew, Tiffany Moncrief and Richard Johnson will occasionally be writing introductions and picking featured resources for these newsletters.

I am entirely grateful to join ReNew Partnerships and their efforts to resource churches of all sizes with a vision and set of values to become the most celebrated and ethnically diverse gathering of people. I believe deeply that multiethnic unity in the church is possible because Jesus prayed for it and the early church embraced diversity as a key indicator of a work of the Holy Spirit. Today we live in an age where ethnic minorities are not “half-way across the world”; they are literally our neighbors.

I recently read the January 11th edition of TIME magazine which included the article “Can Megachurches Bridge the Racial Divide?“ Bill Hybels, founder of Willowcreek Church in Chicago, Illinois, was interviewed and asked how important racial reconciliation is to Christianity. He replied, “It’s absolutely core to the Gospel. It speaks to whether all humans are made in the image of God and have the capability of being redeemed and used by God to perform his work. I’m going to persevere on this for the rest of my life.”

I hope the persevering that Hybels is speaking of is in reference to going beyond the affirmation that “we are all created equal”. I hope the persevering that Hybels is speaking of goes beyond a picture of diversity and eventually delves into the challenging, yet rewarding nature of power sharing. I truly hope he perseveres and over 12,000 Willowcreek member churches will follow his lead and a widespread multiethnic movement will ensue.

The Evangelical Covenant Church denomination has been a leader in this area for more than 20 years. Their intention to start urban, multicultural churches is one reason Shalla and I decided to plant a Covenant Church in Columbus, Ohio in Fall 2010. We’ve been influenced by the leadership of Efrem Smith and Harvey Carey, both Covenanters who have led their congregations with racial reconciliation as a core value.

We are truly looking forward to planting an intentional multiethnic church and I hope to share the ups and downs of this journey with you through blog posts on TheNewCulture.org.  Our new church is planning to use the resources below as fodder to develop the vision and values for a new community of multiethnic believers. 

Richard Johnson

Bible Study: Passion for Unity by Marc Henkel

"Every summer Here's Life Inner City equips hundreds of college students through their Summer In the City Projects. During the six weeks students receive hands-on experience and Biblical training in the areas of wholistic ministry, ministering to the poor, and racial reconciliation. This Bible Study was developed to train the students in the area of racial reconciliation and unity." more »

Book: Beyond Charity by John Perkins

" John Perkins has committed his life to bringing reconciliation and development to broken communities of America. In his efforts to meet the physical and spiritual needs of the poor, he has recognized that the problems are larger than can be met by the handful of Christians presently devoted to this ministry. All of the body of Christ must feel the pain and be willing to offer themselves to bring hope, transformation, dignity, and rest. Our cities are not crying for charity, which can be done at arm’s length, but for people with love that reconciles and involvement that changes strangers into friends." more »

Website: Covenant Resources

"Got questions? We can help! The Covenant Resource Center is a place where you can find resources that will increase the effectiveness of your ministry. Our goal is to connect you with programs, resources, and other people who can help you throughout all stages of your church's developing ministries.." more »

Video: Church Diversity Sucks by Pastor Scott Williams

One of the 9 minute videos broadcast as a part of The Nines leadership conference on 9/9/09. Pastor Scott Williams gives a powerful challenge to leaders to go beyond "just tolerating" diversity to intentionally embracing it. He challenges us to have conversations about embracing diversity with... God, our staff, and our congregations. "Church diversity sucks but the real fact is that it doesn't have to." more »

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