Pastoral Leadership Skills for the Multicultural, Multiethnic Church:


Book Description

Church leaders have attempted acclimation of Cambodian-Americans into their American Baptist church and leadership yet challenges loom relative to skill requirements, decision-making styles and processes. Since many churches have been so richly blessed with cultural diversity, the following leadership skills, talents and abilities to ensure each culture is sensitized to these requirements are listed below. Multicultural leaders should have the: 1. Ability to analyze cultural and ethnic groups and their various needs for security 2. Ability to identify cultural and ethnic group needs for belonging 3. Ability to select an appropriate response to ensure cultural and ethnic groups needs for significance 4. Ability to assess the success of the plan(s) to ensure the result of fulfilling the purposes God has for the lives of all cultural and ethnic groups to achieve their levels of self-actualization. Pastoral leadership skills for multicultural, multi-ethnic churches should ensure cultural differences are learned, respected, embraced and eventually celebrated. Pastors are granted authority but power is maintained when decisions are made in participation with diaconate and/or laity. Rev. Dr. F.Lee Jones interviewed a cross-section of twelve church and potential members through questionnaires. This project is a compilation and analysis of those responses which articulate the challenges, and rewards, of being open to all of Gods children. Dr. Jones has successfully transferred his secular leadership abilities into the pastoral role of church administration. He understands how to be a non-anxious presence in a crisis, as well as be a pastors pastor in his ministry to other clergy.




Sticky Faith


Book Description

Sticky Faith delivers positive and practical ideas to nurture within your kids a living, loving faith that lasts a lifetime. Research indicates that almost half of high school seniors drift from their faith after graduation. Struck by this staggering statistic, and recognizing its ramifications, the Fuller Youth Institute (FYI) conducted the "College Transition Project" in an effort to identify the relationships and best practices that can set young people on a trajectory of lifelong faith and service. This easy-to-read guide presents both a compelling rationale and a powerful strategy to show parents how to actively encourage their children’s spiritual growth so that it will stick with them into adulthood and empower them to develop a living, lasting faith. Written by Fuller Youth Institute Executive Director Dr. Kara E. Powell and youth expert Chap Clark--authors known for the integrity of their research and the intensity of their passion for young people--Sticky Faith is geared to spark a movement that empowers adults to develop robust and long-term faith in kids of all ages. Further engage your family and church with the Sticky Faith Guide for Your Family, Sticky Faith curriculum, and Sticky Faith youth worker edition. Sticky Faith is also available in Spanish, Cómo criar jóvenes de fe sólida.




Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church


Book Description

Through personal stories, proven experience, and a thorough analysis of the biblical text, Building a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church illustrates both the biblical mandate for the multi-ethnic church and the seven core commitments required to bring it about. Mark DeYmaz, pastor of one of the most proven multi-ethnic churches in the country, writes from both his experience and his extensive study of how to plant, grow, and encourage more ethnically diverse churches. He argues that the "homogenous unit principle" will soon become irrelevant and that the most effective way to spread the gospel in an increasingly diverse world is through strong and vital multi-ethnic churches. Apart from ethnically and economically diverse relationships, we cannot understand others different from ourselves, develop trust for others who are different than us, and/or love others different than ourselves. Apart from understanding, trust, and love, we are less likely to get involved in the plight of others different than ourselves. Without involvement, nothing changes, and the disparaging consequences of systemic racism remain entrenched in our culture. Surely, it breaks the heart of God to see so many churches segregated ethnically or economically from one another, and that little has changed in the many years since it was first observed that eleven o'clock on Sunday morning is the most segregated hour in the land.




Becoming a Multicultural Church


Book Description

In [ital] Becoming a Multicultural Church[ital], Bowers reflects upon and shows how churches can benefit from the experience of First Congregational Church of Randolph, Massachusetts [em dash] the church she pastors [em dash] once a historically "traditional" one social grouping church, but now a "multicultural" church and one of the numerically largest churches in Randolph. She offers practical strategies and explores the processes involved, in a conversational style that will make it an easy read for pastors.




Churches, Cultures, and Leadership


Book Description

In a world that is more culturally diverse than ever, pastors and lay leaders need skills and competencies to serve in multicultural contexts. This rich blend of astute analysis and practical guidance offers a praxis of paying attention, study, and discernment that leads to genuine reconciliation and shared life empowered by the gospel.




Growing Young


Book Description

Unleashing the Passion of Young People in Your Church Is Possible! Churches are losing both members and vitality as increasing numbers of young people disengage. Based on groundbreaking research with over 250 of the nation's leading congregations, Growing Young provides a strategy any church can use to involve and retain teenagers and young adults. It profiles innovative churches that are engaging 15- to 29-year-olds and as a result are growing--spiritually, emotionally, missionally, and numerically. Packed with both research and practical ideas, Growing Young shows pastors and ministry leaders how to position their churches to engage younger generations in a way that breathes vitality, life, and energy into the whole church. Visit www.churchesgrowingyoung.org for more information.




How to Become a Multicultural Church


Book Description

Rediscover the meaning of home -- Reconsider the church's name -- Learn to lead (differently) -- Be theologically generous -- Seek to understand as well as to be understood -- Learn the language -- Move beyond cultural stereotypes -- Consider what the flag might mean -- It's not the music (or the worship style) -- It's the meal (where strangers become friends)




Worship Together in Your Church as in Heaven


Book Description

Worship Together in Your Church as in Heaven is a practical and foundational resource for pastors and worship leaders of all kinds. It addresses an urgent need in the church today: as our communities become increasingly diverse, how can we offer worship that is authentic and engaging for all of God’s people, including longtime church members? The authors offer an empathetic, step-by-step approach, providing readers with knowledge, skills, and strategies to successfully introduce inclusive, multicultural worship in any setting. Davis and Lerner are expert practitioners and pioneers who invite us to break new ground with them, making worship that more closely reflects God’s kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. “Multicultural is more than a buzzword. It is God’s desire for the church. Davis and Lerner’s practical approach shows us how to truly reflect God’s multicultural kingdom in worship.”—Rosario Picardo, Executive Pastor of New Church Development, Ginghamsburg Church, Tipp City, OH “This is an essential and practical guide that every worship leader, pastor, and church leader needs to read, learn, digest, and practice.” —James R. Hart, President, Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies, Orange Park, FL “Lerner and Davis’s superb book is a practical resource for connection and community-building in any environment.” —Lance Winkler, Director of Contemporary Worship, The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, KS “Worship Together in Your Church as in Heaven offers a wealth of good theology, encouraging case studies, life-tested models, and strategies for developing multicultural worship in all kinds of communities. We’ve been waiting a long time for this book!” —Robin P. Harris, President, International Council of Ethnodoxologists; Director, Center for Excellence in World Arts “Worship Together in Your Church as in Heaven will help you identify the critical questions, take intentional steps, and promote a spirit of inclusion in your church. Your worship will reflect God’s love for all people, not just one kind of people, in an increasingly diverse society.” —Mark DeYmaz, Lead Pastor, Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas; author of Leading a Healthy Multi-Ethnic Church




The Elusive Dream


Book Description

'The Elusive Dream' demonstrates, through nuanced analysis and in-depth study, that interracial churches in fact help to perpetuate the very racial inequality they aim to abolish. The text raises provocative questions about the ongoing problem of race in the national culture.




One New People


Book Description

Manuel Ortiz urges us not just to put aside our differences but to celebrate and embrace them--to use them in a way that draws us closer to each other and closer to God.