Starting a Multicultural Church Robert D. Goette

My Role I am not…I am not… –An expert – I do have experiences –A veteran church planter of multi-cultural churches – I have been a part of multiethnic, multi-cultural church plants and worked in cross-cultural settings I amI am –A learner –A facilitator – pulling together collective wisdom & hoping to network some of you

My Assumptions about you Some of youSome of you –Know more than I do about this field Most of youMost of you –Are not going to be planting a multi- cultural church but will be resourcing church planters in this area All of youAll of you –Are willing to share your knowledge and resources with the rest of us

Definitions for today Multiethnic: A church with one language, one predominant culture but significant percentages of people with various ethnic & racial backgroundsMultiethnic: A church with one language, one predominant culture but significant percentages of people with various ethnic & racial backgrounds Multicultural: A church with one predominant language (second language for many) and various cultural influencesMulticultural: A church with one predominant language (second language for many) and various cultural influences –Doesn’t have to be in English What we don’t mean byWhat we don’t mean by –Multiethnic – a sprinkling of diversity –Multicultural – a church sponsoring various language groups

Various Blends of Ethnicity & Culture Mono-ethnic Mono-cultural Mono-ethnic Multi-cultural Mono-ethnic Mono-cultural with a sprinkling of diversity Multiethnic Multi-cultural Multiethnic Mono-cultural

Biblical Basis for a New Perspective (Defining Moments in the 1st Century Church) Acts 2:5-12 (An ethnic group can be multi-lingual)Acts 2:5-12 (An ethnic group can be multi-lingual) Acts 6:1-6 (Conflict happens & can be resolved between ethnic/cultural people groups)Acts 6:1-6 (Conflict happens & can be resolved between ethnic/cultural people groups) Acts 10:34-35 (God is also interested in others)Acts 10:34-35 (God is also interested in others) Acts 15 (They don’t have to follow our culture)Acts 15 (They don’t have to follow our culture) Gal. 2:7-9 (There are different callings)Gal. 2:7-9 (There are different callings) Acts 21 (Freedom & conformity can co-exist)Acts 21 (Freedom & conformity can co-exist)

Assimilation Guide Nuclear Ethnics Fellow Travelers Marginal Alienated Language Bilingual Multicultural WASP Peter Wagner

Advantages of a Multicultural Church A taste of heavenA taste of heaven You can invite people of difference racial & cultural backgrounds to church and they won’t stick outYou can invite people of difference racial & cultural backgrounds to church and they won’t stick out Bridges to many different parts of the worldBridges to many different parts of the world It’s easier to become a World ChristianIt’s easier to become a World Christian

Who does a multi-cultural church attract? Inter-racially married familiesInter-racially married families People that live and work in the midst of diversityPeople that live and work in the midst of diversity People who have a hard time finding people like themselvesPeople who have a hard time finding people like themselves “Third Culture Kids”“Third Culture Kids” International students & familiesInternational students & families People turned off by a mono-ethnic church and/or racismPeople turned off by a mono-ethnic church and/or racism

Is a Multi-cultural Church for everyone? Absolutely notAbsolutely not Some need to experience it for a whileSome need to experience it for a while It can catalyze ethnic-specific, other- language congregationsIt can catalyze ethnic-specific, other- language congregationsNOTE: A Multi-Cultural Church most likely will NOT effectively reach 1 st generation peoples unless their native language is the same used during the corporate worship experience.

Challenges of a Multicultural Church Understanding & Appreciating Various CulturesUnderstanding & Appreciating Various Cultures –Relationship styles –Values –Conflict styles –Leadership styles –Learning styles –Experiences

Layers of Culture Hidden Assumptions Values Norms Behavior Artifacts

Major Multicultural Issues in Starting a Multicultural Church Planter selection (Spouse & children too)Planter selection (Spouse & children too) Core group selectionCore group selection Keeping first things firstKeeping first things first RelationshipsRelationships –Building relationships & teamwork –Dealing with conflict Styles: Relational, leadership, decision- making, teaching, preaching, worship, prayer, food, dress, etc.Styles: Relational, leadership, decision- making, teaching, preaching, worship, prayer, food, dress, etc. Value transferenceValue transference Cross-cultural CounselingCross-cultural Counseling

Planter Selection A missionary to many nationsA missionary to many nations Constant learner without being paternalistic or patronizingConstant learner without being paternalistic or patronizing International stomachInternational stomach Flexible leadership & relational & ministry styleFlexible leadership & relational & ministry style Can explain one’s own culture & other cultures and evaluate them all critically in the light of God’s wordCan explain one’s own culture & other cultures and evaluate them all critically in the light of God’s word Willing to share leadership with people of all backgroundsWilling to share leadership with people of all backgrounds

Planter Selection

Stages of Individual Development Developing Intercultural Sensitivity DenialDefenseMinimization AcceptanceAdaptationIntegration Ethnocentric Stage Ethnorelative Stage Milton Bennett’s Model

Stages of Individual Development Developing Intercultural Sensitivity DenialDefenseMinimization AcceptanceAdaptationIntegration Ethnocentric Stage Ethnorelative Stage Denial: no recognition of cultural or other differences

Stages of Individual Development Developing Intercultural Sensitivity DenialDefenseMinimization AcceptanceAdaptationIntegration Ethnocentric Stage Ethnorelative Stage Defense: there is a minor recognition of differences, but the differences are evaluated negatively.

Stages of Individual Development Developing Intercultural Sensitivity DenialDefenseMinimization AcceptanceAdaptationIntegration Ethnocentric Stage Ethnorelative Stage Minimization: there is more recognition and acceptance of the superficial differences.

Stages of Individual Development Developing Intercultural Sensitivity DenialDefenseMinimization AcceptanceAdaptationIntegration Ethnocentric Stage Ethnorelative Stage Acceptance: there is more recognition and appreciation of differences in behavior and values.

Stages of Individual Development Developing Intercultural Sensitivity DenialDefenseMinimization AcceptanceAdaptationIntegration Ethnocentric Stage Ethnorelative Stage Adaptation: there is the developing of communication skills to understand people better.

Stages of Individual Development Developing Intercultural Sensitivity DenialDefenseMinimization AcceptanceAdaptationIntegration Ethnocentric Stage Ethnorelative Stage Integration: there is the internalization of the bicultural and multicultural frames of reference.

Resource for Planter Selection The Cross-Cultural Adaptability Inventory Cross-Cultural Adaptability Inventory Adaptability InventoryCross-Cultural Adaptability Inventory NCS , ext. 5151

Core Group Selection Ethnically & racially diverseEthnically & racially diverse Learners; especially in the area of cross-cultural adaptabilityLearners; especially in the area of cross-cultural adaptability International stomachsInternational stomachs Gracious & humble & sacrificialGracious & humble & sacrificial Passionate about the Lord and seeing all people reachedPassionate about the Lord and seeing all people reached

Stages of Organizational Development Parochial Ethnocentric Polycentric Synergistic Multiculturalism Adler 1991, Cox 1991, and Permutter, 1969

Stages of Organizational Development Parochial Ethnocentric Polycentric Synergistic Multiculturalism “Our way is the only way.”

Stages of Organizational Development Parochial Ethnocentric Polycentric Synergistic Multiculturalism “Our way is the best way.”

Stages of Organizational Development Parochial Ethnocentric Polycentric Synergistic Multiculturalism “Our way is the best way for us; their way is the best for them.” their way is the best for them.”

Stages of Organizational Development Parochial Ethnocentric Polycentric Synergistic Multiculturalism “Our way and their way differ, and we can learn from each other.”

Stages of Organizational Development Parochial Ethnocentric Polycentric Synergistic Multiculturalism “There are a multitude of ways, and there are a multitude of best ways; we can learn from and complement one another.”

Resources Intercultural Press - Press - PressIntercultural Press Diversity seminarsDiversity seminars Movies/film clipsMovies/film clipshttp:// Cross-cultural reflection on many different parts of the BibleCross-cultural reflection on many different parts of the Bible

Keeping First Things First Most multicultural churches don’t raise the multicultural flagMost multicultural churches don’t raise the multicultural flag Loving God & Loving People in their language of loveLoving God & Loving People in their language of love World Evangelization for God’s GloryWorld Evangelization for God’s Glory

Building Relationships Sharing historiesSharing histories Building trust – confidentialityBuilding trust – confidentiality Transparency is not always valuedTransparency is not always valued Acceptance & appreciationAcceptance & appreciation TIMETIME Higher level of commitment to each otherHigher level of commitment to each other

Dealing with Conflict (10 General Rules) Ask whether this is worthy of attention or should be let go.Ask whether this is worthy of attention or should be let go. Make your approach one of concern for the person and for preservation of the relationship.Make your approach one of concern for the person and for preservation of the relationship. Seek understanding through inquiry before forming judgments and making accusations (blaming).Seek understanding through inquiry before forming judgments and making accusations (blaming). Separate facts from rumor, partial information, feelings and interpretation.Separate facts from rumor, partial information, feelings and interpretation. Consider how much stress the relationship can bear; this will help you tell how much time and sensitivity will be required.Consider how much stress the relationship can bear; this will help you tell how much time and sensitivity will be required. * From the last chapter of Duane Elmer’s Cross- Cultural Conflict

Dealing with Conflict (10 General Rules) Put yourself in the other person’s place and try to appreciate his or her perspective on the matter.Put yourself in the other person’s place and try to appreciate his or her perspective on the matter. Address behaviors rather than motivation.Address behaviors rather than motivation. When you detect tense emotions or defensiveness, back up and give assurances of friendship and your desire to understand.When you detect tense emotions or defensiveness, back up and give assurances of friendship and your desire to understand. Frequently acknowledge and summarize what the other person has said to assure accuracy of understanding for both parties.Frequently acknowledge and summarize what the other person has said to assure accuracy of understanding for both parties. Believe a win-win resolution is possible if both parties can remain calm, understand each other’s interests and negotiate with integrity and fairness.Believe a win-win resolution is possible if both parties can remain calm, understand each other’s interests and negotiate with integrity and fairness.

Resources Duane Elmer’s Cross-Cultural Conflict: Building Relationships for Effective MinistryDuane Elmer’s Cross-Cultural Conflict: Building Relationships for Effective MinistryCross-Cultural Conflict: Building Relationships for Effective MinistryCross-Cultural Conflict: Building Relationships for Effective Ministry

Value Transference Not just the church’s core valuesNot just the church’s core values Kingdom worldview & valuesKingdom worldview & values Cross-cultural understanding, appreciation and integrationCross-cultural understanding, appreciation and integration