One dynamic
that often gets lost in immigration demographic analysis, is that many
immigrants arrive in America with little to no knowledge of cities and how they
work. They often arrive from an agrarian economy, a largely homogeneous culture,
or both. It is not uncommon for them to get swallowed up in exploitative
situations. They can often be overwhelmed by the effects of moral relativism
and the impact of Information Age technology. Without their traditional extended
family, agrarian, or sometimes even tribal roots, as a support system, staying
true to their moral compass can often be very difficult.
Although more
seldom, the same phenomenon can also happen to United States' citizens who move
from sparsely populated areas, like Appalachia or the Deep South, to the city. An
additional challenge is that both of these groups are often confronted with a
society that is disconnected from all they have known and loved.
The Church
could be a significant help to both of these groups, particularly if they are
newly transplanted. Because their comfort zone is far away, they are often open to a new support system that is safe. Find out who they are. Discover
what they need. Design programs that will fill that needs and reach out to them
But there is also
a third group of people that is also part of complex culture. They are those
who have lived in complex culture for some time but continue to hold on to a
rural mindset. They can often be found in the Church. They were
never sure they liked the social effects of the Industrial Age,[i]
and are certain they want no part of the immigrant aspects of complex culture.[ii]
Often, the people
with such an aversion to those who are different most often base their feelings
on old prejudices or misconceptions. All of this, while on average, 40% of most
neighborhoods are made up of people of color. Add to that number all the people
to whom the church is unattractive due to other religious affiliation,
lifestyle, their generational cohort, etc.
Such scenarios
are one reason a high percentage of small neighborhood churches are dying. of this increasing percentage of people who are moving into the church’s communities often feel unwelcome there. Not only that, these percentages will only be growing. Over
time, it seems to me that any church that refuses to embrace and minister to the complex culture around them will
slowly cease to exist.
What
is your opinion?
Do
you know any churches in this position?
What
is your church doing to engage the cultures in its neighborhood?
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