Churches Need to Know About Cultural Awareness[i]
We are all aware of cultural difference. Churches all over the country are experiencing, to varying degrees, an increasing change in the communities where their members have traditionally come.
Most
neighborhoods across entire metropolitan areas are becoming increasingly
multi-ethnic and multi-cultural, in other words complex. Many local churches find themselves located in
neighborhoods into which large numbers of immigrants are moving, many or most
of whom do not speak English. In
the 1950s and 1960s churches moved to suburbia where they found their preferred
demographic. Today, the changes are everywhere. There is no place to go. What are
we going to do about it?
We have already mentioned the need for planting
churches among non-English speakers. Before such a program gets launched,
however, it is absolutely crucial to prepare your congregation for the
inevitable cross-cultural experience (see Part Two of this series of posts).
Before
starting, the Church must increase its awareness and acceptance of cultural
difference, and the potential of cross-cultural ministry. When a local
congregation decides to share its building with people of another culture, it
is crucial for the congregation to become conversant with cultural differences.
If a congregation skips such preparation, it will bring unnecessary suffering
to both congregations. The congregation that makes the effort to prepare will
be rewarded with a much more satisfying experience. It is our lack of contact
with and knowledge of other cultures that fuels our ignorance and places potential
good outcomes in jeopardy. It is to a good idea to bring in a consultant to help with the cross-cultural particulars. The information to come in the following posts is also designed to help assist you in your preparation.
Are there people of color who live in the community where you minister?
Do they have felt needs your church can meet?
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