TITLE: Truly Multicultural…In Christ By Steve Kozak 05/23/06 |
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
SEND ARTICLE TO A FRIEND |
The Buzz of Multiculturalism
The conception of multiculturalism in the modern, twenty-first century church is surely a hopeful one, an idea that, as Christians, has become inherent in our thinking. Christ’s churches, his community of believers, are as “one body” in Christ. The modern church may wish to identify with multiculturalism as the most Christ-like thing to do, after all, what would Jesus think? The reality is that Christians, all united by common faith in Christ look to the local church for a comfort zone, a place of common ground. A common ground, not just in Christ, but in cultural normality as well. Despite the best of intentions, people gravitate toward others like them.
Thinking of us as multicultural and being as such involves careful thinking and action on part of pastors and saints. Phrases like multicultural church and united by faith in Christ can not by any means be buzz words meant to capture an audience. Meaning and actions of these things require a deep commitment, sacrifice, and understanding of God’s kingdom. Churches need to ask of themselves how they can best accomplish the work of the Lord’s kingdom without addressing the question of whether or not an attempt at cultural diversity is needed or desired. Any other view is short sighted and it not aligned with the truth Christ taught, rather basis itself on knowledge relative to this world.
The first century church had the same function as it does today. Serve the community and build that body up in the Word of God. Churches today are often planted strategically in communities in order to reach a certain demographic of unbelievers. The Apostles did much of the same thing. Paul’s desire was always to take the gospel were it was not. It is safe to assert that any diversity first century churches had was a product of the regions demographics, culture and environment. In relevance to the organization of the church, Taylor Cox, Jr. addresses six examples of cultural differences; time and space orientations, leadership style, individualism verses cooperative behavior, locus of control, and communication . These examples point to a direct effect environment has on God’s people .
Multicultural Defined
I feel it is necessary to reexamine the term multicultural and define the inclusiveness to more than just ethnicity. If the concept of a diversely rich church is to have one that maintains a variety of members that contribute an equally wide variety of backgrounds, ideas, ethnic customs, traditions, etc., I would suggest the term multiculturalism, as I use it here, include any culture, group, or individual as it is define by experience. Two neighbors, regardless of appearance or ethnicity, may or may not have similar experiences in life that define their particular culture. Two people, both Caucasian, similar houses, cars, and clothes; could have completely different experiences, therefore defining one neighbor’s culture completely different from the other. On the other hand, one Asian and one Caucasian could be completely different from appearance, however have the same understanding on a variety of issues as a result in similar experiences. I must also make clear that I do not agree with using the term in a Christian theology to include feminism, racial equality, or gay rights. Those matters of the political arena would be, in my opinion, in a different manner on an individual basis. Tolerance is required of those lifestyles, however do not align with my definition of multiculturalism.
Effect of Experiences
However a person is different from others, the experiences that define culture and personalities are the same definitions that draw like-minded and groups of similar places in society together to worship. This happens, I believe for two reasons. First is the community that is born. It is understood by most Christians that each believer is of the body of Christ and part of larger community. Within that large community is a smaller group that relates intimately with one another. Common interests and experiences and places in life solidify guidance, accountability, and learning. Smaller churches have this throughout the entire church body and larger churches accomplish this often through small group ministries. That sense of community can bring life and meaning to the gospel as Jesus intended.
The second reason for culturally defined worship is a hermeneutical approach. Each believer, as a theologian, in his own right has the responsibility to read and share the Gospel. An essential part of sharing the gospel is to apply the teachings of scripture to current culture and experiences. Every pastor’s challenge is to bring life to the Gospel through effective application of the principles of it through effective contextualization of the text of Scripture. Church goers will search for a church and a pastor that presents the Gospel in such a way that connects their understanding of life and experiences. I can not expect a Spanish speaking believer to sit through a worship service entirely in English and that person achieve any kind of Spiritual growth from that, nor is the opposite true. Either case is a disservice of the Gospel.
The greatest commandment is to love God with every living fiber that the body has. Riding its coattails is the second commandment; love your neighbor, as yourself. The diversity of Christianity has already been introduced by Jesus and the Apostles. It is the job of the present day saints to carry that tradition on, carrying the Gospel on to everyone, never ceasing. The love for the Gospel, to give and receive it is where diversity is born. Diversity can not be crammed down the throats of believers. Scripture teaches believers a church resistant to diversity is a disobedient one. Nor should churches attempt to diversify and become multicultural for the sake of the cause. Believers must embrace with the same love that Christ had for all, accept all, and minister to all. I do not believe that means purposefully attempt to find those different, both societal and ethnical. Believers are not striving for a culturally rich local church, as much as for a multicultural worldwide community of believers. Diversity that accepts, however does not tolerate behavior in discontinuity with the Bible. The love of Christ is one that wishes all to know Christ and walk with Him.
The Christians Worldview and Diversity
The proper attitude of cultural diversity is essential for a proper Christian worldview. In his book To Know and Love God, David K. Clark gives five reasons for a Christian view grounded in Scripture that effectively illustrate the point. First, humans are deeply valued by God because we are created in His image giving explanation why it is wrong to kill someone physically or murder them verbally. Second, all humans have descended from Adam and Eve. People may have different cultural, language, experiences and societal influences; however have the same ancestral background. Third, God has invited everyone to participate in salvation as a result of the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ. Many times throughout the Book of Acts, the Gospel is described to have gone first to the Jew and then to the Gentile (Acts 1:8 NIV). The inclusion of the Gentile began the mission to reaching the outer most parts of the earth. Fourth, the Bible teaches throughout the New Testament the concept of unity in the church. “Yet in Christ is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, make nor female, for you all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28 NIV). Finally, Christ teaches believers to love one another. Christ went out of his way many times to prove the point of loving all (John 13:35 NIV).
The knowledge and attitude described above is enough to edify the church as examples of Christ in the best sense. I believe it to be the churches responsibility to edify the saints and teach them in the ways of Christ. Only then can a church be multicultural. The love for others and the grace of the Lord will result in the embracing of diversity.
As a result a ripple effect will occur. Understanding the vantage points of others of the Gospel will increase the understanding of and the love for Christ and the good news of salvation. Embracing others cultural experiences will open the doors for a much bigger and brighter Gospel. It is important to see that no one style of worship as it may relate to a specific cultural is better than another. Believers must grasp the concept that the style of music or the kinds of concerts, or the format of worship is not better one way or another, just different. Corporate worship in a church setting is designed to glorify God as a community. It is simply not possible for a believer to glorify God listening to a contemporary worship song in Spanish, if that person does not speak or understand Spanish. Not every cultural practice of worship is good however; only that which rightfully and correctly preaches the Gospel and glorifies God.
Conclusion
A Christian worldview of multiculturalism is certainly not cut and dry. However any attempt to drive diversity into the church for the sake of its own merit and accomplishment is wrong. Proper Christian worldview of love and limited tolerance and a knowledge and understanding of other Christian cultural around the world and in our back yards may integrate some local churches, but more importantly integrate the rest of the world.
For Further Study:
Angrosino, Michael. Talking About Cultural Diversity in Your Church: Gifts and
Challenges. Faithworks, 2001.
Anderson, David. Multicultural Ministry: Finding Your Church’s Unique Rhythm.
Zondervan, 2004.
Clark, David K. To Know and Love God. Crossway Books, 2003.
Cox, Taylor Jr., Cultural Diversity In Organizations; Theory, Research, and Practice.
Berrett-Koehler Publishers; Reprint edition, March 1994.
Rhodes, Stephen. Where the Nations Meet: The Church in a Multicultural World.
Intervarsity Press, 1998.
Schaller, Lyle. What Have We Learned? Abingdon Press, 2001.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.