Diversity in a Church is not an Accident
In the book “The World is flat” by Thomas Freidman, he states that our world is becoming more global every day. He also states that technologies such as email, websites, and fiber optics have leveled the playing field with the business world. The same is true within the church. America is more global and culturally diverse than ever before. America has become more than just a melting pot, but a stew pot where each ingredient maintains its identity.
In John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
That the Lord loves the world - He loves the nations in the world and He loves the people of every nation. God’s heart beat is the world. If God had a Global view and inclusive mentality, the church also must adopt a global view and the mentality of inclusiveness for all people. God always does things with purpose and intention!
The church must be connected with the inclusive focus of the Great Commission. We have been given a mandate in Mathew 28:19 to evangelize the world which consists of diverse cultural groups.
Next major revival will be in the ethnic community.
According to the US census report since year 2000 to 2010
Asia’s population increased from 10.6 to 14.million
African American population increased from 35.7to 39.6 Million
The Spanish population increase from 35.3 million to 48.3 Million
It is estimated by year-2020
Asia’s population will be 18.5 Million
African American population will be 41.5 Million
Spanish population will be 55.2 Million
We must also remember the other nationalities and ethnic groups from other countries plus the biracial categories will increase all the more!
Jesus said, Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? Behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
How do we prepare for the greatest influx of Soul? We cannot just hang a sign outside of our church that says everyone is welcome. There must be a strategy in place to harvest the influx of soul. To plan for Diversity, we must look at the biblical model. We must realize that culture is an important component of Evangelism.
Culture encompasses values, lifestyle, and social norms. It also includes different communication styles, mannerisms, and styles of dress, family structure, traditions, time orientation, response to authority, and more.
Jesus recognized the importance of Culture in John Chapter 4, when He met the Samaritan woman at the well. He knew there were relationship issues between the Jewish and Samaritan people. The Jews would walk around Samaria rather than walking through Samaritan, but Jesus became the connecting piece by intentionally going through Samaria Himself. He reached beyond cultural, racial, and gender barriers that so easily paralyzed others.
Jesus on the road to Emaeaus
Jesus walked with them, talked with them and ate with them. Jesus was proactive in developing relationship.
Remember that: Real relationship are establish outside of church
i. Jesus listens, he asks questions, and he ate or drank with them.
ii. Jesus was intentional and transparent
iii. Jesus earn the right to speak into the their lives
“Before you can ever reach another culture outside of your own, you must first earn the right to speak into their lives
We must be proactive in developing relationships with others
We must walk across the aisles, or walk across the rooms.
The only way to reach cultures outside of our own is for it to be intentional.
We must be the ones to pursue the relationship. Jesus initiated dialogue, which gave him the opportunity to share the good news. He didn’t allow tradition or the words and opinions of others to hinder him from establishing a relationship with the woman at the well.
There are many examples of Cross Cultural Ministry in the bible.
Ø Daniel had a bilingual, bicultural ministry in Babylon and never compromised his integrity
Ø Ruth, the cross cultural pilgrim who left her homeland to follow the God of Naomi
Ø Jonah ran away from cross cultural challenge
Ø Ethiopian eunuch in Act Chapter 8
Perhaps you are working in a community that is of another ethic background.
One of the challenges in working with other ethnic groups is to aid them in feeling accepted and comfortable in church. As a minister of the gospel, we must create an atmosphere where all feel welcome.
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