Reviews for Building a Healthy Multi-ethnic Church: Mandate, Commitments and Practices of a Diverse Congregation

The average rating for Building a Healthy Multi-ethnic Church: Mandate, Commitments and Practices of a Diverse Congregation based on 2 reviews is 4 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2019-11-26 00:00:00 Troy Barker Since this book was used for my small group's Bible Study material and we had homework weekly, I am just submitting my homework assignments here: Chapter 10: Mobilize for Impact Just returned from my home church, attending yet another funeral of dear friend's dad who has finally overcome the past 20 years of struggle with Alzheimer's disease and went home to be with the Lord… The church was filled with sea of white hairs and it was a gathering of homogeneous unit, especially of senior citizens. One thing that I have noticed is that when the church is not opening up to the younger generation or wider audience of various backgrounds, church diminishes in attendance, and eventually dying out… Another example: Last Saturday, I had a privilege of attending the Aberdeen campus open house of prayer and worship. I was shocked to see so many people; young and old, black, white, Hispanic and Asians…. It was surely a representation of multi-ethnic church. We were encouraged to write something on the wall of the church, and I saw several scriptures/quotes written in Spanish which made me chuckle! Certainly God's presence was there in the city of Aberdeen already and we anticipate God's marvelous work through Aberdeen Mountain campus! I can visualize people from diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds gather there to worship one and only God. No one force to be there, but willingly and gladly come together! Certainly, there is attraction (non-verbal) when diverse congregation is involved because it surely is dynamic nature~ Ultimately, the church's goal is to lead people to Christ. I go to gym early in the morning (after all, I am a morning person). One day, at the lady's locker room, a friend (who also comes Mt. Abingdon campus) was sharing gospel to another solider who just finished working out. I joined with her telling about how we worship God in truth and spirit. We can share our mighty God anywhere and everywhere. Having said that, we cannot forget about the fulfillment of the Great Commission and a well-balanced global mission as an individual and a church. Help us to be obedient to each opportunity provided and nudge that the Holy Spirit is poking to each one of us. It has been pleasant experience to participate in the Bible Study during this fall session (although this morning, it certainly felt like freezing winter, brrrrrrr ;-) Let us remember Eph 4:3-6 "Preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, for there is one body and one spirit just as also you were called in one hope for your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all!) Chapter 7: Develop Cross Cultural Relationship Frederick Collins: there are two types of people 1) Well here I am and 2) Ah there you are! Lord help me to be the latter! - Connecting people with varying ethnic and economic backgrounds: Food and Health Fair every 4th Sat at the Abingdon Campus. This is one of my favorite ministry at the Mt. Christian. You will see plenty of different skin colors, languages and ages well represented and serving God's people and receiving the love graciously! (Little ones are great helpers too!) Plenty of smile all around, and lots of "Thank you" and Holy Spirit are working all around. Praise the LORD!!! - 1 John 4:20-21: If someone says "I love God" and hates his brother, he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this is the commandment we have from Him, that the one who loves God should love his brother also! - When we overcome the challenge of transcending ethnic and economic barriers, the JOY is Greater and Sweeter! - Eph 4:2-3: To walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience showing forbearance to one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace! - Prejudice: Pre-formed opinion concerning someone or something. We can be TRANSFORMED BY RENEWING OUR MIND with HIS WORDs and HIS spirit's help. Changes occurs when personal courage and spiritual conviction are combined. - 1 Cor 12:12-27: We are called not only to worship God but also to walk and work together. And when misunderstanding happens, we ought to be patient and forbearing with one another! - Eph 3:17-19 : Being rooted and grounded in the love, they may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, in order to be filled up to all the fullness of God. - Koinonia (authentic fellowship) requires participation in faith as well as partnership! And fellowship requires "Breaking Bread" (I am certainly good that breaking bread with my girlfriends at the Panera bread ;-) We talk, share our lives and pray for one another …. Certainly Koinonia!!!) - In the end, I do not want to be called as "Asian friend" or "Korean lady" or "The immigrant" or any other terms describes with ethnic background especially at church. At least at church, we should see each other as "CHILDREN OF GOD" and that should be our #1 identity and we should see each other from one beloved child to another beloved child!! - Peacemaker are those who are building a healthy multiethnic church. - Family matter (pg 90-91) Zack's experience was very similar with my girls experiences. After graduating from a small Christian middle school of class of 30s to moving on to an ethnically and economically diverse public high school at Aberdeen was surly culture shock for them at first. Just like Zack, many Aberdeen kids welcomed both of my girls, and they were able to make many special friends. Priscilla has been a part of all black tall, athletic girls' basketball team one year. Although my girl was not even 5' tall and not that great player, the rest of team took care of her and accepted her a fellow teammate. When Hannah first told me that she was walking from the Aberdeen high school to Panera bread, after school, taking a sketch, woody short cut, I was mortified. To this dumbfound mom, her response was "Mom, don't worry! I am not alone. I walk with my friends who are strong and tall, they are like my bodyguards! No one will mess with me, LOL." I absolutely love that my daughters have wonderful mix of ethnic and economic background friends. In the end, it is not the color of skin that matters, but the condition of hearts! Chapter 5: Offering Jesus in a winsome way to other cultures "Struggle lies in learning how to separate the cultural parts of our personal faith, as well as our western worldview from the biblical parts." Jeannie Marie has several specific suggestions on how to make the Good News good in other cultures and here are some examples: (Share my experience in Myanmar while I was reading this chapter!) 1. Respect other faiths: Most people from other faiths, traditions or countries have grown up believing certain things are true; and those deeply held beliefs cannot be not easily changed. (LISTEN AND UNDERSTAND THEM FRIST.) 2. Don't push the biblical truth: Jesus let his disciples discover his full identity for themselves as they followed and experienced HIM. (IT TAKES TIME!) 3. Expand your definition of good news: In the Gospel, Jesus did not offer the same good news in the same way to everyone. How he offered good news always depended on the person's immediate and visible and their inner needs: a. Luke 8:48, Luke 19:10, Mattew: 19:14, Mark 5:15 b. Share from my personal experiences of various mission trips: c. Meet people where they are most needed! 4. Be interesting: Tell stories; Jesus presented most of his teaching with stories, because they illustrated principles in a more vibrant way than simply listing them out. 5. Pray for people in the MOMENT: "I will be praying for you" is a nice sentiment; however, "Can I pray for you right now?" is much more powerful!

Review # 2 was written on 2019-01-17 00:00:00 Ross Mccuistion I was totally blown away by the first three chapters on the theology of why Multi-Ethnic churches are important. I think reading the entire book is worth it just for those chapters alone! That being said the rest of the book was good, but not amazing- a lot of Multi-Ethnic church principles, that I found to be helpful, but not strikingly profound or original. All pastors must read the three chapters on theology of Multi-Ethnic ministry- so rich!