DBA MultiCultural Church Team
Next Meeting
Thursday, April 24, 2008
10 a.m. - 11:30 or 12 noon
At the DBA Offices
(8001 East R. L. Thornton Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75228, 214-324-2803)
We can go out for lunch "American-treat" (That's the Dutch phrase for "Dutch-treat"!
Pastor Charlie Brown will talk with us about how God led his church to be strongly multi-ethnic.
In the time remaining, we'll conclude our discussion of Deymaz's Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church. The previous blog entry has some of my rough-draft discussion notes. Come with specifics you'd like to discuss.
I'm entering some of my rough draft notes on Deymaz's key ideas for us to discuss online if we want. They are entered below as seven seperate entries to make the comments less confusing. Just click on "Comments" below the entry and type away. (Remember that you read blog entries from the bottom up. The newest entries are on top.)
On April 24th we can discuss whatever of these you'd like.
Also, please feel free to invite anyone that you feel would be interested in this conversation.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
7. Mobilize for impact
7. Mobilize for impact
Though potentially one of the strongest parts of the book, I thought the chapter was pretty weak on specifics.
His church’s worship attendance has grown (119)
“It paves a remarkable path for the Gospel.” (121)
Though potentially one of the strongest parts of the book, I thought the chapter was pretty weak on specifics.
His church’s worship attendance has grown (119)
“It paves a remarkable path for the Gospel.” (121)
6. Promote a spirit of inclusion
6. Promote a spirit of inclusion (108 – chap 9)
“Nowhere is this attitude [anyone’s welcome who likes it our way] more pronounced that in a congregations approach to worship.” (109)
Do you make changes to draw people (preemptive) or in response to those who join?
Church is not about you (110)
A healthy m-e church is a place where people are comfortable being uncomfortable (110)
“It’s not about the food; it’s about the family.” (111)
How do you do this, if you do--interwoven in one service or different style services throughout the month? (112)
List of things to do: 113-114
“Nowhere is this attitude [anyone’s welcome who likes it our way] more pronounced that in a congregations approach to worship.” (109)
Do you make changes to draw people (preemptive) or in response to those who join?
Church is not about you (110)
A healthy m-e church is a place where people are comfortable being uncomfortable (110)
“It’s not about the food; it’s about the family.” (111)
How do you do this, if you do--interwoven in one service or different style services throughout the month? (112)
List of things to do: 113-114
5. Pursuing Cross Cultural Competence
5. Pursuing Cross Cultural Competence (94 – chapter 8)
Work at it and be good at it.
Don’t’ be happy with just interest in or sensitivity to races “Press on to maturity”, scale (103-105)
Work at it and be good at it.
Don’t’ be happy with just interest in or sensitivity to races “Press on to maturity”, scale (103-105)
4. Develop Cross Cultural relationships
4. Develop Cross Cultural relationships (81 – Chapter 7)
Why haven’t churches found “a way of connecting diverse people around a common interest”, like sports, work, school, etc. have?
Is it something in the American culture or human psyche (we really aren’t integrated, or interested in integration naturally) or something in the church?
Have you been able to do develop these kinds of relationships? How? How did you start them? How have they helped?
How are we helping our people to do this (A2f groups, for example)
After started, “Keep the ring on.” (89)
Can DBA help with this specifically? How about at Pastor’s Conference? Setting up a framework for pastors and families to eat with similarly interested pastors of a different race?
“Supper Club” somewhere does this for a community.
Why haven’t churches found “a way of connecting diverse people around a common interest”, like sports, work, school, etc. have?
Is it something in the American culture or human psyche (we really aren’t integrated, or interested in integration naturally) or something in the church?
Have you been able to do develop these kinds of relationships? How? How did you start them? How have they helped?
How are we helping our people to do this (A2f groups, for example)
After started, “Keep the ring on.” (89)
Can DBA help with this specifically? How about at Pastor’s Conference? Setting up a framework for pastors and families to eat with similarly interested pastors of a different race?
“Supper Club” somewhere does this for a community.
3. Empower divers leadership
3. Empower divers leadership (70 – chapter 6)
Integrated pulpit established credibility (71)
From pulpit to nursery…this is the “put your money where your mouth is” commitment. (71)
Not “quotas” but intentional (72)
Requires finesse and longer term planning. Even grooming or planting seeds way ahead of time. (72)
Requires relational efforts ahead of time (for the staff search) (73)
Have you heard “Only white folks are interested in racial reconciliation. It’s part of the white man’s burden.”? It adds to the challenge of finding leaders willing to share pulpit as opposed to being the leader in their own.
On a smaller scale church start with diverse volunteers leaders (77)
Integrated pulpit established credibility (71)
From pulpit to nursery…this is the “put your money where your mouth is” commitment. (71)
Not “quotas” but intentional (72)
Requires finesse and longer term planning. Even grooming or planting seeds way ahead of time. (72)
Requires relational efforts ahead of time (for the staff search) (73)
Have you heard “Only white folks are interested in racial reconciliation. It’s part of the white man’s burden.”? It adds to the challenge of finding leaders willing to share pulpit as opposed to being the leader in their own.
On a smaller scale church start with diverse volunteers leaders (77)
2. Take intentional steps
2. Take intentional steps (55 – Chapter 5)
(Is this in tension with chapter one? – Not if lead by God to do something.)
Introduces the extent of the multi-ethnic—even to the point of using translation equipment. (55 and 56)
Not assimilate but accommodate (59)
Intentionality even in the placement of the church building! (60)
Terms: multi-cultural v multi-racial v multi-ethnic (61)
Change team name?
The Homogeneous Unit Principle (61)
How do you reconcile the problem of heart language with the desire for a multi-ethnic church?
Small groups based on ethnicity within the church would be counter productive, no? Case study of the Burmese…what might we do?
What about with Spanish language?
What about as we seek to reach the 165 languages in our county?
Multi-Ethnic might not be as likely relationship- or heart-language-based.
What about the statement that even if fewer people end up attending? (63)
Read on page 62, “Rather than expecting non-believers to change their biases prior to accepting Christ…” Research the footnote.
“The h-u principles should no longer inform church planting and development…it will become an increasing hindrance.” (62-63)
Though it’s not natural, “we must not give into system or institutional racism.” (63)
“Praying or waiting as intentional steps” (67) – Kenny’s ideas of “intentionally late”
(Is this in tension with chapter one? – Not if lead by God to do something.)
Introduces the extent of the multi-ethnic—even to the point of using translation equipment. (55 and 56)
Not assimilate but accommodate (59)
Intentionality even in the placement of the church building! (60)
Terms: multi-cultural v multi-racial v multi-ethnic (61)
Change team name?
The Homogeneous Unit Principle (61)
How do you reconcile the problem of heart language with the desire for a multi-ethnic church?
Small groups based on ethnicity within the church would be counter productive, no? Case study of the Burmese…what might we do?
What about with Spanish language?
What about as we seek to reach the 165 languages in our county?
Multi-Ethnic might not be as likely relationship- or heart-language-based.
What about the statement that even if fewer people end up attending? (63)
Read on page 62, “Rather than expecting non-believers to change their biases prior to accepting Christ…” Research the footnote.
“The h-u principles should no longer inform church planting and development…it will become an increasing hindrance.” (62-63)
Though it’s not natural, “we must not give into system or institutional racism.” (63)
“Praying or waiting as intentional steps” (67) – Kenny’s ideas of “intentionally late”
1. Embrace Dependence
1. Embrace Dependence (on God) (43 – Chapter 4)
Complements David Kuykendall’s “living by grace.”. “
More than anything else I’ve ever done or attempted…the multiethnic church requires me to embrace dependence.” (46)
Isn’t this where God wants us all to be anyway?
“There is no business plan” (46)
Thirteen values deeply ingrained in the American psyche—most fight against this. (47)
This is a key spiritual issue for all—not just multi-ethnic.
A professional approach to church growth will not likely guarantee the establishment of a multi-ethnic church. (48)
How to visibly show this (48)
No offering plate (49)
Generously give up leaders (49)
Complements David Kuykendall’s “living by grace.”. “
More than anything else I’ve ever done or attempted…the multiethnic church requires me to embrace dependence.” (46)
Isn’t this where God wants us all to be anyway?
“There is no business plan” (46)
Thirteen values deeply ingrained in the American psyche—most fight against this. (47)
This is a key spiritual issue for all—not just multi-ethnic.
A professional approach to church growth will not likely guarantee the establishment of a multi-ethnic church. (48)
How to visibly show this (48)
No offering plate (49)
Generously give up leaders (49)
Seven Core Commitments of A Helathy Multi-Ethnic Church
I'm entering some of my rough draft notes on these ideas for us to discuss on line if we want.
I'll do them as seven seperate entries to make the discussion less confusing. (Remember that you read blog entries from the bottom up. The newest entries are on top.)
On April 24th we can discuss whatever of these you'd like.
I'll do them as seven seperate entries to make the discussion less confusing. (Remember that you read blog entries from the bottom up. The newest entries are on top.)
On April 24th we can discuss whatever of these you'd like.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Responses to "Self-Segregation Forever?"
The "Letters to the Editor" in response were interesting equally interesting...and divided!
"Diversity isn't a necessity": http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/letters/stories/DN-central_letters_0124edi.ART.Central.Edition1.374b4a5.html
"Segregated places..." and "...aren't bad or good.": http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/letters/stories/DN-west_letters_0124edi.ART.West.Edition1.37fc29c.html
and many more:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/letters/stories/DN-central_letters_0131edi.ART.Central.Edition1.450a46b.html
Do these have implications for Multi-Ethnic churches in the Dallas area?
"Diversity isn't a necessity": http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/letters/stories/DN-central_letters_0124edi.ART.Central.Edition1.374b4a5.html
"Segregated places..." and "...aren't bad or good.": http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/letters/stories/DN-west_letters_0124edi.ART.West.Edition1.37fc29c.html
and many more:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/letters/stories/DN-central_letters_0131edi.ART.Central.Edition1.450a46b.html
Do these have implications for Multi-Ethnic churches in the Dallas area?
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Self-Segregation Forever?
What about these responses to the Dallas Morning News's question?:How important is it to live in a racially diverse neighborhood? Does it matter if people of different races self-segregate? http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/collin/opinion/stories/DN-west_sounding_0119edi.West.Edition1.38010b7.html
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