The subject of multiculturalism is pertinent in churches and society, particularly in North America. In this postmodern era, we are challenged to engage the subject from an intergenerational as well as denominational perspective. Much has been written in recent times as churches and communities seek to address this issue and how it applies in their church’s context. If the church is missional, then it has to be multicultural and inclusive.

It is important that we have a concise understanding of what it means to be Multicultural. The Wikipedia free encyclopedia states: “Multiculturalism is the appreciation, acceptance or promotion of multiple cultures, applied to the demographic make-up of a specific place, usually at the organizational level, e.g. schools, businesses, neighborhoods, cities or nations.” In this sense multiculturalism approximates respect for ethnic diversity.

Multiculturalism is not just a program or social ministry. It is more than a philosophy; it is a fact of life and today reflects the DNA of all urban cities. In particular, urban churches should reflect the socio-cultural makeup of their communities. Some congregations believe they can be classed as multicultural because they have a few ethnic families among them; however, I beg to differ. Being multicultural is not based on numbers or ethnicity but on one’s identity and philosophy of ministry. It is woven in all aspects of the church’s ministry, programming, and the lifestyle of its members. I believe that many churches are divinely placed in specific locations and social settings to meet the needs of their communities. Throughout history, we have observed churches that have avoided the demands of changing communities, especially in the urban context, by moving to the suburbs where they can exist in their comfort zones and maintain their status quo.

The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) illustrates how easy it is for Christians to ignore the need to cross cultural and social barriers to meet the needs of our neighbors and go beyond the normal constraints of social barriers. The Priest and the Levite failed to seize the opportunity to go beyond all forms of social, cultural, and racial barriers to demonstrate what it is to be Christian, exercise compassion, and fulfill the will of God to their neighbor. Being multicultural incorporates the command to love thy neighbor as thyself.

A multicultural church is a biblical community of disciples who: (1) recognize, embrace, and affirm a diversity of peoples; (2) are committed to racial reconciliation; (3) are working out administrative structures that assure the continuation of both unity and diversity.¹ Many churches are engaged in living out such a definition. The Church of the Nazarene in Canada and USA is actively seeking to become a multi-cultural denomination and has provided resources through its “Mission Support” department. In some Districts, the church has a diversity of peoples and is committed to advocating and promoting racial reconciliation. Each church has its own “culture” – “the predominant attitudes and behaviors that characterize the functioning of a group or organization.” The Church of the Nazarene in Ontario (Canada Central District) is such an example. We are multicultural in nature and structure, especially in our urban cities.

It is a blessing to serve on this District and to be involved in multicultural ministry. Our church, LFCN (London First is Church of the Nazarene, in London, Ontario) has 27 different nationalities worshiping and dwelling together. We celebrate diversity in unity. We are multicultural to the core. We are a community of disciples that is intergenerational, and where people of all classes, ethnicities and economic status worship as one body. We have six families and interracial marriages that represent different cultures and regions of the world. As Pastor, I strongly promote the philosophy that being different does not mean we are deficient. We recognize, embrace, and affirm diversity of peoples. We are committed to racial reconciliation.

LFCN’s unique church culture is not a typical homogeneous church.

“At least four types of people do not fit into traditional homogeneous churches: interracial couples and families; ethnic people who prefer speaking English; urbanites who “appreciate living, working and ministering in the midst of ethnic diversity”; and Generation Xers who often despise racial separatism.² LFCN church culture reflects this. We are:

English Speaking
Urban/downtown (yet small city – 350,000)
Multicultural/interethnic
Multi-generational
Mixed social classes

Not everyone who visits our church continues to attend. Most of those who remain would be described as having a low “ethnic consciousness.” Fifteen years ago when my wife and I accepted the called to London, we found a church that was basically a typical status quo, Anglo Saxon, Canadian church that would not be classed as multi-cultural. It was an aging congregation with one church board member of Ethnic origin and eight different nationalities in the congregation. Today, most urban Canadian churches are inclusive of people from other cultures and ethnicities, and it is not uncommon to find churches that are predominantly white with an ethnic minister.

Our call to this church was not based on a desire to form a multi-cultural or intergenerational ministry. The demographics of London were changing, and the church needed to experience transformation in order to be geared for the times. It is stated that some people are born great, some have greatness thrus upon them, and others learn how to become great. London First was not multicultural in origin and did not have multiculturalism forced upon them. I believe by the divine will of God and an openness to minister to the needs of its community, it naturally became a multicultural church. Having Pastors from a different ethnicity most likely contributed to this development. Our church became an open door to people from all classes of society, from any culture and generation, who chose to make it their church home. The church has experienced healthy growth over the past 15 years. We had an influx of Hispanic people in our community, and we chose to respond to the need. This resulted in the formation of a Spanish congregation that is independent of the Mother congregation. Some of the Spanish families decided to remain in our English congregation preferring our ethnic diversity.

Being Multicultural has its joys as well as its challenges. Once a month we have “Friendship Sundays” when we celebrate our diversity and share a meal together with food from all our ethnic cultures. It is common to have songs and scripture read in different languages, etc. It is like a foretaste of heaven where people of all cultures, ethnicities, generations, and classes will dwell together as one.

References:

1. Adapted from Davis, p. 115.
2. Davis quoting from A Guide for Planting Multicultural Churches