A Future for the Latino Church: Models for Multilingual, Multigenerational Hispanic Congregations

by Daniel A. Rodriguez, Daniel A. Rodriguez

Many assume that Hispanic ministry in North America still necessarily focuses on Spanish-language congregations. But over 60 percent of all American Latinos were born in the United States and are now English dominant. Daniel Rodriguez argues that effective Latino ministry and church planting are now centered in second-generation, English-dominant leadership and congregations. Based on his observation of dozens of cutting-edge Latino churches across the country, Rodriguez reports on how innovative congregations are ministering creatively to the next generations of Latinos. In-depth case studies reveal how gifted leaders are reaching beyond their own demographics to have lasting impact on their wider communities. The future of the Latino church is multilingual, multigenerational and multiethnic. Those who "live in the hyphen" between Latino and American can become all things to all Latinos, sharing the gospel in ways that language is no barrier.

Genres: Theology, Ecclesiology

200 pages, Paperback

First published May 4, 2011

Reviews

[Antonio Rivera · Rating 4 out of 5]

This basic reality - that (Protestant) mission to Hispanic people cannot be limited to ministry to first-generation to immigrants in the Spanish language - should be more obvious to the American church than it is.

If I could make every influential evangelical in this country read this book, I would.

[Byron Fike · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a challenge to Spanish speaking church leaders to make changes in order to reach the children and grandchildren of immigrants to the U.S. While not a member of the target audience, I benefited from gaining a better understanding of what it means to live as children of immigrants. The phrase "living in the hyphen" describes those who feel out of place in both the hispanic church of their parents and/or grandparents and the english speaking church of anglos. While there are significant changes Spanish speaking churches can make, I also was able to make application for my own context in helping to create a welcoming environment.

[Cole Shiflet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este libro era demasiado pragmático y estaba lleno de estudios de casos de iglesias fuera de mi tradición teológica. Fue muy repetitivo, pero el mensaje general ha estado en mente recientemente.

Rodríguez argumenta que el ministerio entre los latinos no puede limitarse a las iglesias inmigrantes de primera generación a hispanohablantes. En cambio, las iglesias deben explorar formas creativas de involucrar a los inmigrantes de segunda y tercera generación con el evangelio.

[Alina Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met Daniel Rodriguez after his keynote at the SCJ Conference this year. He was inspiring to listen to, and I knew I needed to read his book. This is a go-to book if you want to learn more about what the Latino church currently looks like and how it is changing. In my opinion, the #1 lesson of this book is learning how to identify/understand generational differences and how to adjust accordingly.

Each church story that is shared one after another is inspiring. Rodriguez wanted to share how the gospel is at work in America in a Luke-like fashion, and he certainly succeeded.

If you’re looking for a good bibliography on this subject, Rodriguez has provided that, too.

[Arnoldo Robledo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paisano

A 5 Star because the book is much more than a good read it is an excellent source of factual and real life examples of what once was mostly a Spanish speaking group of bible believers that has evolved into a diverse group.

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was required for a Hispanic Ministries course. It is a good place to start, but it reflects the sola scriptura, evangelical model in which I was raised and eventually left. The book contains only evangelical churches and perpetuates prejudice and misunderstanding of Catholicism.

[Ricky Beckett · Rating 4 out of 5]

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[Joshua Booher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for a Latino/a Competency Course. For me personally, it's positions are a bit extreme and I question some of their reasons for selecting the churches they emphasize.

[Victor Chininin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book that set itself to show an orderly account of the Latino church in the early 21st century. Rodríguez does that very well and with great care. The only aspect I wish the book would have addressed more was the role of the church in crushing the idolatry of the fear of men that seems to be at the root of a lot of what Rodríguez has described. With that aside, the work is call to action to reach out to multiple generations in multiple languages to the glory of God.

[Julia Matallana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thought provoking read on the status and future of the latino church in our country. I could easily relate to much of what Rodriquez discusses. He defines his terms well and writes in a culturally sensitive way for a vast audience. This book is both adequately academic and satisfyingly practical. (A few typos that were distracting but also honest...given ESL).