Intercultural Congregation

[Derek Mathers]

Greetings all,

I am seeking connection with a leader or group of leaders who's congregation is in revitalization located in a similar glocal situation to our congregation.

Our congregation is located in a city of 4 million people (Toronto, Ontario). We have 9000+ people living within 1 Km of our building and 245,000 within 5 Km. While the ethnic origins of the congregation are German, the community has changed dramatically in the past 50 years. 24% of our 5 Km community is Chinese in origin, 18% Korean, and the remainder is a total mix. In 2009 it is expected that the city of Toronto will be 51% new comer to Canada (Immigrants).

We are an island church, meaning that only 4 families could possible walk to our church and the rest drive 15-30 minutes. We have between 100-130 people total attending both our 9 & 11 am worship services.

Our challenge is to build bridges into our community which is very diverse in culture. Our dream is to become a truly "intercultural congregation." Part of our vision is to personally engage 700 individuals in our neighbourhood through the various activities of our congregation by 2011.

We have gathered together potential leader individuals already connected to our congregation from Korea, Philippines, Guyana, Taiwan, Slovika, and India. We meet monthly to explore how to build bridges with each of these cultural groups in our community.

Please, it would be a great blessing to share, support, reflect and bounce ideas off leaders in a similar mission situation.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Derek

[Terry Tieman]

Derek:

Are you in a Learning Community right now? Have you had a consultation? Do you have a coach? It seems like I know you from somewhere, but I can't recall where. If you can, refresh my memory!

Blessings,

Terry

[Derek Mathers]

Hey Terry,

I am in a learning community with two laypeople, a SMP vicar, a retired pastor serving the congregational vacancy which the two laypeople attend, and our English District mission exec is our group leader. Our congregation has had a consultantion in November 2007, the perscriptions being accepted by our congregation in January 2008. I do have a coach and it was at his suggestion that I reach out via TCN to pastors whom I might reflect with.

I am not sure if we have personally met but I have heard about you. Does this help?

Christmas blessings,

Derek

[Travis Guse]

Derek,

Thanks for your message. My name is Travis Guse and I've a pastor out in Newbury Park, CA and I've had a great deal of experience with outreach to diverse communities, especially Chinese. My first experience with this kind of ministry was out in Vancouver, BC heading up a Chinese outreach back in 1992. If you would like to talk further you can contact me at [e-mail]. Blessings and have a wonderful day in the Lord!

In His Peace,

Travis

[Jeff Thormodson]

An excellent resource student's read before their cross cultural module is "Embracing Diversity: Leadership in Multicultural congregations" by Charles R. Foster. Very helpful for those in racially and culturally diverse settings. I would also recommend a second book, which I found by reading Foster's book, "The Wolf shall dwell with the Lamb: A Spirituality for Leadership in a Multicultural Community" by Eric H. F. Law. Written by an Episcopal priest from Asia, whose has some important insights on cross cultural dynamics withing the English speaking/American context. For example, he clearly demonstrates why the white, English-speaking members almost always sets the agenda; how the voter's meeting is a huge obstacle in cross cultural ministry, etc. There are at least one or two instances which gave me pause, since it might not pass doctrinal review (such as a sermon on Exodus, where members are not compared to the Hebrews, but as Pharaohs army), but it is very stimulating regarding institutional dynamics. I would recommend both books for your situation.