Building a Healthy Multi-ethnic Church E-Book

Mark DeYmaz

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Serie: J-B Leadership Network Series
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 433

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2010

Beschreibung

Through personal stories, proven experience and a thorough analysis of the biblical text, Building a Healthy Multi-ethnic Church illustrates both the biblical mandate for the multi-ethnic church as well as the seven core commitments required to bring it about. Mark DeYmaz, pastor of one of the most proven multi-ethnic churches in the country, writes both from his experience and his extensive study of how to plant, grow, and encourage more ethnically diverse churches. He argues that the "homogenous unit principle" will soon become irrelevant and that the most effective way to spread the Gospel in an increasingly diverse world is through strong and vital multi-ethnic churches.

Leseprobe

Table of Contents

Praise

Title Page

Copyright Page

LEADERSHIP NETWORK TITLES

ABOUT LEADERSHIP NETWORK

Foreword

PREFACE

Acknowledgments

Dedication

Introduction

Branching Out

Lasting Impact

Who We Are

Who We Are Not

What It’s All About

Purpose and Intent

PART ONE - THE BIBLICAL MANDATE

Chapter 1 - THE PRAYER OF CHRIST

Why Is the Local Church Segregated?

What Can Be Learned from John 17?

Unity as Confirmation: Jesus Is the Christ

Chapter 2 - THE PATTERN AT ANTIOCH

Of Nations and Neighbors

Peter Sees for Himself

The Case for Inclusion

Why Large Numbers Believed

A New Term for a New People

Diverse Leadership for a Diverse People

A Church for All People, Then and Now

Chapter 3 - THE PAULINE MYSTERY

Jews and Gentiles in Ephesus

The Mystery of Christ Revealed

Paul Imprisoned for This Reason

The Administration of the Mystery

How to Walk as One

What First Love Had They Left?

PART TWO - THE SEVEN CORE COMMITMENTS OF A MULTI-ETHNIC CHURCH

Chapter 4 - EMBRACE DEPENDENCE

I Can’t Wait to See This!

There Is No Business Plan

Practicing Dependence

Chapter 5 - TAKE INTENTIONAL STEPS

Out of Many, One

Build It God’s Way and in His Time

Make Attitude Adjustments

Challenge the Homogeneous-Unit Principle

Find a Balance

God Will Provide

Chapter 6 - EMPOWER DIVERSE LEADERSHIP

A Biblical Model for Today

The “Best Man” Does Not Always Look Like You

Go the Distance

Chapter 7 - DEVELOP CROSS-CULTURAL RELATIONSHIPS

Getting Beyond Ourselves

Walking the Walk

Keeping the Ring On

Family Matters

Chapter 8 - PURSUE CROSS-CULTURAL COMPETENCE

Lead and Learn

Biblical Examples of Competence

The Example of Christ

Press on to Maturity

Chapter 9 - PROMOTE A SPIRIT OF INCLUSION

Inclusion Begins with Worship

It’s Not So Much the Food, But the Family That Matters

Consider Others More Important than Yourself

Do Little Things That Make a Difference

Inclusion Is More than Mere Tolerance

Chapter 10 - MOBILIZE FOR IMPACT

The Multi-Ethnic Church: Our Past and Future

Amazing Grace

PART THREE - ON PLANTING, REVITALIZING, AND TRANSFORMING

Chapter 11 - FOR THOSE PLANTING A MULTI-ETHNIC CHURCH

Abandoned to His Will

Embrace Dependence

Take Intentional Steps

Empower Diverse Leadership

Develop Cross-Cultural Relationships

Pursue Cross-Cultural Competence

Promote a Spirit of Inclusion

Mobilize for Impact

Tearing Down the Walls

Chapter 12 - FOR THOSE REVITALIZING A DECLINING CHURCH

History

Personal Preparation

Embrace Dependence

Take Intentional Steps

Empower Diverse Leadership

Develop Cross-Cultural Relationships

Pursue Cross-Cultural Competency

Promote a Spirit of Inclusion

Mobilize for Impact

Bringing the Mission to Our Doorstep

Chapter 13 - FOR THOSE TRANSFORMING A HOMOGENEOUS CHURCH

History

Embrace Dependence

Take Intentional Steps

Empower Diverse Leadership

Develop Cross-Cultural Relationships

Pursue Cross-Cultural Competency

Promote a Spirit of Inclusion

Mobilize for Impact

A Place at Our Table

CONCLUSION

NOTES

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

INDEX

More Praise forBuilding a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church

“The twenty-first century will be increasingly characterized by local churches that reflect the ethnic and economic diversity of the Body of Christ, just as they did in the first century. Mark’s book makes a profound contribution toward the development of these churches, the kind of churches Christ most surely desires on earth as it is in heaven.”

—Rev. Ali Velasquez, Hispanic Task Force, North American Mission Board

“This captivating book describes the fascinating story, including the biblical basis, behind Mark’s passionate quest to develop a church that is truly multicultural and multi-ethnic. It fosters hope that the future can be different.”

—Dr. Warren Bird, coauthor, Culture Shift, and research director, Leadership Network

“In Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church, Mark paints a picture, with his own story and the story of God, that will inspire and equip people to join with God in fulfilling the vision of a faith of all colors.”

—Doug Pagitt, senior pastor, Solomon’s Porch, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and author, An Emergent Manifesto of Hope

“I am so excited to see the concept of cross-cultural local church ministry so thoroughly articulated by Mark DeYmaz. I encourage every pastor, parishioner, and even non-Christians, as well, to read this book in order to see where the local church is heading in the twenty-first century, and why.”

—Dr. Ken Hutcherson, senior pastor, Antioch Bible Church, Kirkland, Washington, and author, Here Comes the Bride

“The North American Church is hemorrhaging through the ethnic and economic segregation of her people. Jesus Christ is using men like Mark DeYmaz to bring healing to His bride and to build authentic communities of faith that reflect the love of God for all people. This is an excellent book.”

—Dr. Greg Kappas, director, Grace Global Network

“The fact that Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in the land is challenged biblically and experientially with this book. Mark DeYmaz offers hope for the local church to become a picture of heaven on earth, a place where all races can worship the same God in the same church at the same time.”

—Rodney Woo, senior pastor, Wilcrest Baptist Church, Houston, Texas

Copyright © 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.

Published by Jossey-Bass A Wiley Imprint 989 Market Street, San Francisco, CA 94103-1741 www.josseybass.com

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

DeYmaz, Mark, 1961-

Building a healthy multi-ethnic church: mandate, commitments, and practices of a diverse congregation/Mark DeYmaz; foreword by George Yancey.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index.

ISBN-13: 978-0-7879-9551-5 (cloth)

1. Church and minorities. 2. Church work with minorities.

3. Ethnicity—Religious aspects—Christianity. 4. Multiculturalism—Religious

aspects—Christianity. I. Title.

BV639.M56D49 2007

259.089—dc22

2007028793

LEADERSHIP NETWORK TITLES

The Blogging Church: Sharing the Story of Your Church Through Blogs, by Brian Bailey and Terry Storch

Leading from the Second Chair: Serving Your Church, Fulfilling Your Role, and Realizing Your Dreams, by Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson The Way of Jesus: A Journey of Freedom for Pilgrims and Wanderers, by Jonathan S. Campbell with Jennifer Campbell

Leading the Team-Based Church: How Pastors and Church Staffs Can Grow Together into a Powerful Fellowship of Leaders, by George Cladis Organic Church: Growing Faith Where Life Happens, by Neil Cole Off-Road Disciplines: Spiritual Adventures of Missional Leaders, by Earl Creps

Building a Healthy Multi-ethnic Church: Mandate, Commitments, and Practices of a Diverse Congregation, by Mark DeYmaz

Leading Congregational Change Workbook, by James H. Furr, Mike Bonem, and Jim Herrington

Leading Congregational Change: A Practical Guide for the Transformational Journey, by Jim Herrington, Mike Bonem, and James H. Furr

The Leader’s Journey: Accepting the Call to Personal and Congregational Transformation, by Jim Herrington, Robert Creech, and Trisha Taylor

Culture Shift: Transforming Your Church from the Inside Out, by Robert Lewis and Wayne Cordeiro, with Warren Bird

A New Kind of Christian: A Tale of Two Friends on a Spiritual Journey, by Brian D. McLaren

The Story We Find Ourselves In: Further Adventures of a New Kind of Christian, by Brian D. McLaren

Practicing Greatness: 7 Disciplines of Extraordinary Spiritual Leaders, by Reggie McNeal

The Present Future: Six Tough Questions for the Church, by Reggie McNeal

A Work of Heart: Understanding How God Shapes Spiritual Leaders, by Reggie McNeal

The Millennium Matrix: Reclaiming the Past, Reframing the Future of the Church, by M. Rex Miller

Shaped by God’s Heart: The Passion and Practices of Missional Churches, by Milfred Minatrea

The Missional Leader: Equipping Your Church to Reach a Changing World, by Alan J. Roxburgh and Fred Romanuk

The Ascent of a Leader: How Ordinary Relationships Develop Extraordinary Character and Influence, by Bill Thrall, Bruce McNicol, and Ken McElrath

Beyond Megachurch Myths: What We Can Learn from America’s Largest Churches, by Scott Thumma and Dave Travis

The Elephant in the Boardroom: Speaking the Unspoken About Pastoral Transitions, by Carolyn Weese and J. Russell Crabtree

ABOUT LEADERSHIP NETWORK

SINCE 1984, Leadership Network has fostered church innovation and growth by diligently pursuing its far-reaching mission statement: to identify, connect, and help high-capacity Christian leaders multiply their impact.

Although Leadership Network’s techniques adapt and change as the church faces new opportunities and challenges, the organization’s work follows a consistent and proven pattern: Leadership Network brings together entrepreneurial leaders who are focused on similar ministry initiatives. The ensuing collaboration—often across denominational lines—creates a strong base from which individual leaders can better analyze and refine their own strategies. Peer-to-peer interaction, dialogue, and sharing inevitably accelerate participants’ innovation and ideas. Leadership Network further enhances this process through developing and distributing highly targeted ministry tools and resources, including audio and video programs, special reports, e-publications, and online downloads.

With Leadership Network’s assistance, today’s Christian leaders are energized, equipped, inspired, and better able to multiply their own dynamic Kingdom-building initiatives.

Launched in 1996 in conjunction with Jossey-Bass (a Wiley imprint), Leadership Network Publications present thoroughly researched and innovative concepts from leading thinkers, practitioners, and pioneering churches. The series collectively draws from a range of disciplines, with individual titles offering perspective on one or more of five primary areas:

1. Enabling effective leadership

2. Encouraging life-changing service

3. Building authentic community

4. Creating Kingdom-centered impact

5. Engaging cultural and demographic realities

For additional information on the mission or activities of Leadership Network, please contact:

Leadership Network [phone] [email protected]

FOREWORD

RACIAL SEGREGATION, both formal and informal, has been the norm for the United States throughout much of its history. But in these days, our country is becoming a multiracial society. In light of this, old models of church that focus on reaching a single racial group are not going to be as effective as they have been in the past. So if the Body of Christ is to adjust to our new racial future, we will have to make bold, biblical steps toward the development of churches situated to meet the needs of people of different races and cultures. The ability of contemporary and future Christians to provide a relevant witness to a multiracial, multicultural society is at stake. If our God is not big enough to provide us the spiritual strength to overcome racial barriers in our society, then how can we ask a hurting world to trust such a feeble deity?

That is why this new work by Mark DeYmaz is so exciting. I have known Mark for many years. I know that he has a mighty big heart for reaching all people for Christ. This includes people who do not come from the same culture he does and those not of his race. Mark simply desires to see people come to Christ. In this book he recognizes that to fulfill the Great Commission we cannot sit on past accomplishments, but we have to create churches that address the concerns of a new generation of Americans who are not impressed with our megachurches—churches largely made up of people of the same race and culture. We are going to have to go outside our comfort zones and be with people from other races and cultures. We will have to make a biblical commitment to minister to and with them in ways that may seem foreign to us. Only then will we be able to fulfill the Great Commission in our multiracial society.

I have had the privilege of working with Mark and others who desire to reach people from different racial groups and cultures in an effort to create what I call “multiracial” churches. As a Christian academic, I can assess these churches and learn why they succeed and fail. This is very valuable in helping to discover the practical steps necessary for making our churches places where people of all races can feel welcome. I am so grateful for the role God has allowed me to play in the movement of Christian churches toward racial inclusiveness.

But a sterile academic approach to the issue of multiracial churches does not inspire us to undertake the task of creating them. If we are to ask our fellow Christians to join us in a reformative movement to bring the different races together on Sunday morning, we need to find scriptural support. What Mark brings that I am not equipped to provide is an understanding of the biblical mandate for having racially inclusive churches, as well as a scriptural perspective on why multiracial churches are important in contemporary United States. His contribution to the emerging movement to establish multiracial local churches throughout America and beyond is just as important, if not more so, than the role academics like myself can play, because he can go to the ultimate source of knowledge—our Bible—for the theological support this movement needs.

There are two powerful, compelling reasons we can look toward Mark’s work to help us deal with the issue of multiracial ministry. First, Mark has the authority to speak on such a subject from his own personal experience leading the highly successful Mosaic Church of Little Rock. I have visited this wonderful church. Truly, it represents all of the rich diversity of the Little Rock area. This is a church that reflects its pastor’s heart to reach out to those of all tribes, tongues, nations, and cultures. When Mark challenges other pastors to move out of their comfort zone, he does so with authority, because he has dared to move out into new cultural territory with his own church plant.

Second, Mark brings to this subject vital information from his theological training. Mark has written and spoken previously on the subject of multiracial ministry; and he set up much of his graduate training in the examination of this subject. Therefore, when he speaks, he does so with the confidence of one who has read the Scriptures and examined all sides of the argument. In the future when people ask me for a biblical justification for multiracial churches, this is the book I am going to recommend.

We do serve a God that is big enough to overcome the racial barriers in our society. The problem is often that we lack the faith to fully live out the power he offers to us. Mark’s work reminds us of God’s power, as well as our own shortcomings. Mark challenges us to move beyond the limited racial and cultural boxes we have become accustomed to and live more fully the Great Commission that has been given to us. If we are willing to take the risks necessary and to rely on the Power that is always sufficient, then the Body of Christ in the United States can be a witness of a better society and a source of racial healing that is so badly needed in our contemporary society.

August 2007

Dr. George Yancey Associate Professor, Department of SociologyUniversity of North Texas, Denton, TX

PREFACE

AS FOLLOWERS OF JESUS, we are to be Christ-like. The New Testament is filled with teaching and examples urging us to live in a way that pleases God. Fundamental to this teaching is the call to be united as one in Christ (John 17:21-23) and, as such, instruments of peace (Matthew 5:9). Unfortunately, many Christians living in the United States today overlook this part of the mission. Yet the breaking down of ethnic, social, and cultural barriers is one of the strongest themes in Christ’s ministry, and I believe Christ’s Church should reflect both his character and his passion for all people.

I grew up in the South, more specifically, in Little Rock, Arkansas. During the 1970s, my father served as Arkansas’ governor; for a time I attended Little Rock’s Central High School—the same Central High that shook the world in 1957, when nine Black children attempted to integrate the all-White high school. Following Brown v. Board of Education , the integration of Little Rock’s Central High endures as a major milestone of the civil rights movement, and it is fitting that this book, written by my friend Mark DeYmaz, is being released in the fall of 2007, the very season in which the nation will mark the fiftieth anniversary of that historic event.

From my days in Little Rock, as well as in representing the state of Arkansas in the U.S. Senate, I have seen the results and ongoing challenges of racism in our country. As a follower of Christ, however, I have often wondered what a difference believers could make if, somehow, we were able to put aside our racial preferences on Sunday mornings and attend worship services together. This I believe would lead to improved relationships among the races, in living and working side-by-side throughout the week, resulting in the strengthening of our communities and our nation as a whole. More than that, I am certain it would please the heart of God.

Although it is true that we have made a lot of progress in recent years, race is still a divisive force in our culture. In addition, social status, income levels, and educational achievement are all factors that influence our preference, more often than not, to attend a church with people most like ourselves. This aspect of our human nature, however, is rooted in sin and limits the ways in which we allow ourselves to pursue and to serve God.

I used to think things would never change and believed that cultural barriers were too strong a force to overcome in this regard. Now, however, I am convinced they are not. The Church can change and, in fact, is already changing!

There is a church in Little Rock that is breaking down these barriers and changing our city’s culture. It is the Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas—a God-centered, Bible-based, evangelical community of believers that is multi-ethnic and economically diverse. God is using this body to change lives and to reach the lost. It is an amazing thing to see and even more amazing to experience. While many other churches are doing good things in Little Rock, Mosaic is influencing a systemic rethinking of things and setting an example that few churches to date have been willing to address.

With this in mind, I commend to you this work and pray that God will speak to you through it.

August 2007

Mark L. PryorUnited States Senator (AR)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

EACH OF MY CHILDREN HAS, in one way or another, helped bring Mosaic to life. Zack and Emily have been especially supportive, loyal, and involved. They have greatly lightened my load through their positive attitude and self-sacrifice. Will and Kate, too, have been wholeheartedly engaged and flexible. I will forever be grateful for children who have consistently asked, “Can I go (early) with you to church?” Daddy loves you! My mother, Dorothy, is also greatly loved and appreciated. She has always encouraged my dreams and sacrificed to help make them reality.

For more than twenty years, my friend Miles McPherson has helped me to consider the unique plight of African Americans. More recently, Greg Kappas inspired my vision for the multi-ethnic church, taught me the Word, and coached me in planting Mosaic. Ken Hutcherson further enlightened me and led Antioch Bible Church in Kirkland, Washington, to embrace our cause in the beginning. Linda Stanley at Leadership Network has also been a very consistent encourager and was the first to suggest that I write this book. My good friends, George Yancey and Jim Spoonts, are co-laborers in the Multi-Ethnic Church Movement and have partnered with me to establish the Mosaix Global Network, through which a growing number of like-minded pastors, educators, and ministry leaders are now connecting. Thanks especially to Rodney Woo and to Kim Greenwood for their work in writing Chapters Twelve and Thirteen, respectively, and to Jonathan Seda and my partner Harry Li for their contributions in other chapters as well.

I have greatly appreciated the encouragement and support of Greg Ligon, Mark Sweeney, and Stephanie Plagens at Leadership Network. And at Jossey-Bass, Sheryl Fullerton and Catherine Craddock have made this a very easy and enjoyable experience. Alison Clinton and Larry Tarpley of Mosaic were also very helpful in providing additional ministry and administrative support.

Finally, I want to thank my fellow elders, Bill Head, Eric Higgins, Lloyd Hodges, Tom Holmes, and Harry Li, as well as my staff and all the people at Mosaic who are today building a healthy multi-ethnic church. Together we intend it as a gift to God, to the city of Little Rock, and to the people of Central Arkansas: a symbol of how far we have come and a strategy to address how far we have yet to go.

To Linda, who has faithfully, sacrificially, and courageously accompanied me down roads less traveled for more than twenty years: thank you for your commitment to God, to prayer, and to his Word—a commitment that has stretched, challenged, and encouraged me to become the man I am, and the man I am still becoming, today. I love you dearly.

INTRODUCTION

A ship in a safe harbor is safe, but that is not what a ship is built for.

—William Shedd

IT WAS THE SPRING OF 1993, and I had two options. After ten years of full-time ministry as a youth pastor, two dynamic churches had each invited me to join their staff teams to oversee student ministries.