1. MULTIRACIAL CONGREGATIONS

2. The Changing Racial Landscape in the USA 1960—less than 15% of population was not of European descent. 1960—less than 15% of population was not of European descent. 2000—non-Europeans population grew to 31% of the total population. 2000—non-Europeans population grew to 31% of the total population. 2050—Caucasians will comprise less than 50% of the total population. 2050—Caucasians will comprise less than 50% of the total population.

3. Religious Congregations in the USA Have Been Racially Segregated A multiracial congregation is one in which no one racial group is 80% or more of the congregation (DeYoung, United by Faith, 2) A multiracial congregation is one in which no one racial group is 80% or more of the congregation (DeYoung, United by Faith, 2) Today, 7.5% of the over 300,000 religious congregations are racially mixed Today, 7.5% of the over 300,000 religious congregations are racially mixed For Christians (comprising 90% of all congregations), the figure is 5.5% For Christians (comprising 90% of all congregations), the figure is 5.5%

4. Levels of Intimacy in Interracial Interaction (Paris, 14) Causal—in everyday public transactions little segregation is experienced. Causal—in everyday public transactions little segregation is experienced. Intermediate—in our workplace little segregation is experienced. Intermediate—in our workplace little segregation is experienced. Intimate—in neighborhoods, marriages, schools, and churches—much segregation is experienced. Intimate—in neighborhoods, marriages, schools, and churches—much segregation is experienced. Consider: “The eleven o’clock hour on Sunday mornings is the most racially segregated time in America” (DeYoung, 113). Consider: “The eleven o’clock hour on Sunday mornings is the most racially segregated time in America” (DeYoung, 113).

5. Pragmatic Pragmatic According to McGavran and Wagner and their “Homogeneous Church Growth Approach,” racial separation is practically easier because people want to stay with their own kind, both racially and culturally. According to McGavran and Wagner and their “Homogeneous Church Growth Approach,” racial separation is practically easier because people want to stay with their own kind, both racially and culturally. Evangelism is most effective when done within specific groups. This is especially true for immigrant churches, trying to recruit new arrivals to the U.S. Evangelism is most effective when done within specific groups. This is especially true for immigrant churches, trying to recruit new arrivals to the U.S. While uniracial churches are sociologically more comfortable, it is not ordained by God. According to Gen. 1:26-27, God created one race. While uniracial churches are sociologically more comfortable, it is not ordained by God. According to Gen. 1:26-27, God created one race. The NT churches were multicultural and multiracial. The NT churches were multicultural and multiracial. Racial separation in the U.S. is a socially constructed phenomenon. The church reflects a social reality rather than a theological vision. Racial separation in the U.S. is a socially constructed phenomenon. The church reflects a social reality rather than a theological vision. Just because something is pragmatic does not mean that it is the right thing to do. Just because something is pragmatic does not mean that it is the right thing to do.

6. Theological Racism in the church denies that God’s image is imprinted on each human being. The pervasiveness of racism in the U.S. means that racially separate congregations for persons of color are important places to affirm their humanity. Racism in the church denies that God’s image is imprinted on each human being. The pervasiveness of racism in the U.S. means that racially separate congregations for persons of color are important places to affirm their humanity. In addition, versions of Christian faith in racially separate contexts might not be compatible with white churches or with each other. In addition, versions of Christian faith in racially separate contexts might not be compatible with white churches or with each other. The multitude of expressions of Christian faith that have developed during the era of racial separation in the U.S. will need to be synthesized so as to gain a greater balance or perspective on our understanding of God. The multitude of expressions of Christian faith that have developed during the era of racial separation in the U.S. will need to be synthesized so as to gain a greater balance or perspective on our understanding of God. There is a single meaning in the text but it is so rich that we need the help of a variety of insights and cultural perspectives to do full justice to it. The single correct meaning may only come to light through multicultural interpretation (Vanhoozer, “That is Your Interpretation,” 21-28 ). There is a single meaning in the text but it is so rich that we need the help of a variety of insights and cultural perspectives to do full justice to it. The single correct meaning may only come to light through multicultural interpretation (Vanhoozer, “That is Your Interpretation,” 21-28 ).

7. Activist Multiracial congregations should encourage an activist faith in order to struggle against racism and injustice. This is witnessed in various forms of liberation theology. Multiracial congregations should encourage an activist faith in order to struggle against racism and injustice. This is witnessed in various forms of liberation theology. Often social and political leaders of resistance against racism come from communities of faith, such as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr. Often social and political leaders of resistance against racism come from communities of faith, such as Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr. Multiracial congregations must continue the important role of these uniracial congregations by calling for accountability on issues of racial injustice. Multiracial congregations must continue the important role of these uniracial congregations by calling for accountability on issues of racial injustice. The multiracial church can create and open opportunities for effective evangelism. The multiracial church can create and open opportunities for effective evangelism. Bruce Fong writes, “I believe that pursuing a strict homogeneous unit approach blinds us to how an incredibly diverse Christian fellowship that is united around Christ can stimulate the curiosity of unconvinced persons.” Bruce Fong writes, “I believe that pursuing a strict homogeneous unit approach blinds us to how an incredibly diverse Christian fellowship that is united around Christ can stimulate the curiosity of unconvinced persons.”

8. Cultural Racially separate congregations provide a place to embrace, preserve, and nurture one’s culture. Racially separate congregations provide a place to embrace, preserve, and nurture one’s culture. Certainly, one’s style or form of worship needs to be expressed through relevant culture. Certainly, one’s style or form of worship needs to be expressed through relevant culture. Cultures are always changing when there is the slightest interaction with another culture. It is unrealistic to believe that we can preserve a racial culture. Cultures are always changing when there is the slightest interaction with another culture. It is unrealistic to believe that we can preserve a racial culture. The issue is not whether culture can be preserved—it cannot; the real question is whether change to one’s culture is positive or negative (Rom. 12:1-2). The issue is not whether culture can be preserved—it cannot; the real question is whether change to one’s culture is positive or negative (Rom. 12:1-2).

9. Sociological People of color have developed “parallel” communities in response to white-dominated society. These little areas serve as “havens” for ethnic people to call their own. People of color have developed “parallel” communities in response to white-dominated society. These little areas serve as “havens” for ethnic people to call their own. The church is one such haven, where people of color need a space in which they can be part of the majority group and where they can express Christianity in a way that is most relevant for them. The church is one such haven, where people of color need a space in which they can be part of the majority group and where they can express Christianity in a way that is most relevant for them. In fact, many uniracial congregations serve as community centers in their ethnic neighborhoods In fact, many uniracial congregations serve as community centers in their ethnic neighborhoods Multiracial congregations can also become “parallel” communities. For example, there are a number of Asian- language-based small groups established in large congregations. This phenomenon is almost like a “church within a church.” Multiracial congregations can also become “parallel” communities. For example, there are a number of Asian- language-based small groups established in large congregations. This phenomenon is almost like a “church within a church.” The advantage is that multiracial churches can also offer opportunities for greater interaction and cooperation across ethnic lines. The advantage is that multiracial churches can also offer opportunities for greater interaction and cooperation across ethnic lines. Another important need that multiracial congregations can address is the growing rate of racially mixed marriages and families Another important need that multiracial congregations can address is the growing rate of racially mixed marriages and families

10. Tentative Conclusions 1. There is no single path for all congregations to pursue. 2. Every congregation should welcome people of any ethnic group and should help its members be agents of racial reconciliation. 3. Different congregations may have different callings, and may well create particular contextualized worship cultures in pursuit of those callings—worship cultures which, for purely cultural reasons, may be more appealing and helpful to members of some ethnic groups than others. That is, I do not believe congregations which are largely comprised of one ethnic group should be assumed to be morally wrong.

11. 4. While I do not believe ethnically or racially homogeneous congregations are necessarily the result of sinful racism, it is historically true that many churches have maintained separate worship out of sinful racism. 5. This means that the witness of a Christian community comprised primarily of racially homogeneous churches faces major credibility problems. 6. Furthermore, if an ethnically diverse America is comprised primarily of racially homogeneous congregations, this contributes to the racialization of our society.

12. 7. If Christians are socialized to deep sensibilities which are themselves ethnocentrically attuned primarily to the culture of their own group, then when they leave church and go into an ethnically diverse and racialized society, they will be poorly prepared to constructively engage ethnic and racial others. 8. That is, racially homogeneous congregations are a weak base from which to try to address the problems of our racialized society. 9. Therefore, we need increasing numbers of churches which will make the commitments necessary to become appropriately “multiracial.”

13. 10. In the process, such churches will provide a clear witness to the unity found in Christ, while also nurturing intercultural and “interracial” skills and understandings in a new generation growing up in such churches, a generation which will help lead the way for other Christians, churches, and fellow citizens. 11. Uniracial churches may be a “transitional” phase to multiracial ones (DeYoung, 127).