verse4today: "I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you" (Exodus 23:20).
Posted on 2012-02-10 via Twitter
Living Hope Church intends to be a multi-ethnic community of Christ’s followers who develop and enjoy community shaped by Scripture. That dream, however, is a strategy, not a goal. Our goal is to partner with our Triune God who is about creating a people with representatives from every tribe and nation. Toward that goal, we have adopted the strategy of multi-ethnicity, one we believe possible because of our location in an ethnically diverse community, but only with the help of God the Holy Spirit.
The question remains as to how we might partner with, or support, the work of the Holy Spirit. Mark Deymaz, pastor of the Mosaic Church in Little Rock, Arkansas, provides one answer to that question in his book Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church. Here are a few of his suggestions - (1) empower diverse leadership, (2) develop cross-cultural relationships, (3) develop multi-cultural sensitivity, and (4) promote an appreciation of diversity and variety (Deymaz refers to this as a "spirit of inclusion.").
During its five weeks of life, Living Hope Church has sought to take at least those four steps. (1) We have insisted that our services be led by both men and women, both young and old, and by people of several different tribes and nations. (2) We have developed cross-cultural relationships with people within our emerging congregation, and with pastors and people outside our own tradition. (3) We are trying to develop multi-cultural sensitivity through honest, open and frequent fellowship in small groups or around tables (i.e., meals). (4) We have enjoyed worship services which included variety and diversity which, in turn, have occasionally pushed us out of our comfort zones.
Of course, these are baby steps. Plus, these steps are pointless without the accompaniment of the Holy Spirit. But perhaps there are other ways we can get on board with God the Father who sent His Son to redeem individuals from every tribe and nation under the sun?
First, I wish I could have been at the barbecue!
Second, I appreciate the reminder that multi-ethnicity is the strategy, not the goal. It is definitely something that pushes comfort zones, and because of that I think it is something that can teach us all what the kingdom of God can look like.
As far as other ways to bring cultures together, it’s all about those relationships.