7 Habits of Racially Mixed Churches
How to achieve ethnic diversity—and die (to self) trying.
Reviewed by Douglas R. Sharp | posted 8/01/2004 12:00AM
Usually books on multiracial churches approach the challenge from a theological, historical, or biblical angle. But in this highly readable and eminently useful work, George Yancey views multiracial ministry through a sociological lens.
In a research project funded by the Lilly Endowment, Yancey (with researchers Michael Emerson and Karen Chai) studied dynamics peculiar to multiracial congregations and identified principles to help church leaders who want to start or maintain them. In a straightforward way, this book is a resource for multiracial church growth.
Ministry leaders now move across cultural boundaries as never before, and resources and training for multicultural ministry are more easily available. Believers are mining both Scripture and tradition for insights into reaching across cultures. These signs reflect a desire to bring the gospel of reconciliation and demonstrate a commitment to live out our unity in Christ. Yancey, a sociology professor at the University of North Texas, grounds his argument for multicultural churches in key gospel themes: witness to Christ, inclusiveness, unity, reconciliation, and obedience.
He first addresses obstacles to such ministry: alienation, animosity, interracial mistrust, and social distance between groups. Most of the book describes seven principles for overcoming these barriers. He bases the principles on his analysis of successful multiracial churches.
The first two principles are inclusive worship and diverse leadership. Worship is not only cultural, but Yancey emphasizes that minorities' worship styles—not just mere token expressions thereof—must be integrated fully into the worship of the dominant group. That may mean singing in different languages. Among other suggestions, Yancey notes that balance is crucial for warding off the inevitable power struggle over worship styles. Likewise, diversity in both clergy and lay leadership, he says, is key to assuring respect for each culture's needs, concerns, and perspectives.
Getting to the core
The next two principles have to do with objectives and strategies. Multiracial ministry is more likely to bear fruit if related to a larger vision and purpose, such as witness and service. As for strategies, churches made up of primarily one racial group will not become diverse by accident. Rather, there must be willingness, motivation, and commitment.
The last three principles get to the core of becoming or maintaining a multiracial congregation. One deals with fostering skills for relating across cultures. Another looks at the effect of local demographics—whether the surrounding community is racially homogenous, in transition, or already integrated. How should a church aim for ethnic integration if there is no diversity in its surrounding community?
Yancey found that one church decided not to move from an increasingly mixed-race neighborhood because it was committed to multiracial ministry. Another church opted to move from its suburban white location to the inner city.
"Obviously, most churches do not value having a multiracial congregation enough to make such a radical decision," he writes. Those that do should move, but that is not the only option. Yancey found a few multiracial churches in segregated neighborhoods, though they had to work harder. And as the United States becomes increasingly diverse, he notes, Christian churches may increasingly find themselves in integrated neighborhoods.
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