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One New People: Models for Developing a Multiethnic Church
God created us with diverse cultural and individual backgrounds. He intended those differences for our corporate delight and blessing. But too often we let differences separate us from each other. In One New People Manuel Ortiz persuades us of the benefits in fellowship and outreach that we can experience by crossing racial, ethnic and cultural lines. He urges us not just to put aside our differences but to celebrate them and to embrace them--to use them in a way that draws us closer to each other and closer to God. To that end, he offers a variety of models for creating and sustaining a multiethnic church. You'll explore new possibilities by reading stories of those who have already reaped the benefits of multiethnic approaches to community and ministry. And you'll sort out which options are best for your situation by working through the questions for thought and discussion that are included throughout the book. Finally, you'll find here ideas and principles to guide you through the process of change and improving communication, managing conflict, encouraging and training new leaders, and much more. Here is inspiration, guidance and time-tested models for broadening the ministry of your church to reflect the power of God not only to overcome our differences, but also to transform them into a source of strength and joy.
158 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1996
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 21, 2019
I am in the process of reading all I can about what is called the "multi-ethnic church (MEC)." I don't really like this label but I can't think of a better one!
This book lacks depth and unity. It is more a collection of thoughts and data than it is a unified and biblically argued approach. The author refers to many individuals, books, and dissertations. This is where the book is most helpful--it's a launching point to other resources. For example he quotes from a personal conversation with Paul Hiebert, "The church's task is neither to destroy nor to maintain ethnic identities but to replace them with a new identity in Christ that is more foundational than earthly identities (130)." This is a great summary statement of the church or MEC. Our ethnic and cultural identities are superseded by Christ, gospel identities. Therefore, it seems to me, the churches of Jesus should not be organized around race, ethnicity, or economic strata. When it comes to ethnicity it is not uncommon to see a church _named_ for its ethnic identity, "1st Baptist Korean" or "Chinese Bible Church." It is my view that this is not the way it should be. Part of God's plan is for our ethnic and cultural diversities to be absorbed into the monocultural gospel of Christ. An individual congregation should, therefore, reflect the diversity of the community breaking down all cultural, ethnic, economic, and most challenging of all--language barriers. The composition of the church should make a statement about the gospel and reconciliation, not about people who would naturally get together for dinner or recreation.
Ortiz summarizes a dissertation by Pastor Mark Oh: (1) The great commission calls everyone to reach out to "all ethnics." Matt 28:19-20 (2) Galatians 3:28 calls for congregations of diverse cultures to meet in one sanctuary with a common language. (3) We are all Abraham's offspring. This should motivate Christians for a MEC. (4) The church abolishes ethnocentrism because the NT defines the church as a "new man" or "new humanity: in Ephesians and Colossians. (5)The New Man or church is "Christ culture." See p 131 ff.
Ortiz makes the interesting observation "Many urban pastors attempting mutiethnic ministries comment that crossing socioeconomic barriers can be even more difficult than crossing racial or ethnic lines (39).
Again Ortiz writes, "We live in an . . ethnocentric society that wants us to ignore our neighbors, especially if they are different from us, and believe that in some way or another that our culture is superior (42)."
"In our ministries and local churches we have learned to fear those who are non-white, nonaffluent and non-English speaking. We think of them as inferior and potentially violent. Thus we have come to discredit the gospel and the Lord of the gospel (121)."
This book lacks depth and unity. It is more a collection of thoughts and data than it is a unified and biblically argued approach. The author refers to many individuals, books, and dissertations. This is where the book is most helpful--it's a launching point to other resources. For example he quotes from a personal conversation with Paul Hiebert, "The church's task is neither to destroy nor to maintain ethnic identities but to replace them with a new identity in Christ that is more foundational than earthly identities (130)." This is a great summary statement of the church or MEC. Our ethnic and cultural identities are superseded by Christ, gospel identities. Therefore, it seems to me, the churches of Jesus should not be organized around race, ethnicity, or economic strata. When it comes to ethnicity it is not uncommon to see a church _named_ for its ethnic identity, "1st Baptist Korean" or "Chinese Bible Church." It is my view that this is not the way it should be. Part of God's plan is for our ethnic and cultural diversities to be absorbed into the monocultural gospel of Christ. An individual congregation should, therefore, reflect the diversity of the community breaking down all cultural, ethnic, economic, and most challenging of all--language barriers. The composition of the church should make a statement about the gospel and reconciliation, not about people who would naturally get together for dinner or recreation.
Ortiz summarizes a dissertation by Pastor Mark Oh: (1) The great commission calls everyone to reach out to "all ethnics." Matt 28:19-20 (2) Galatians 3:28 calls for congregations of diverse cultures to meet in one sanctuary with a common language. (3) We are all Abraham's offspring. This should motivate Christians for a MEC. (4) The church abolishes ethnocentrism because the NT defines the church as a "new man" or "new humanity: in Ephesians and Colossians. (5)The New Man or church is "Christ culture." See p 131 ff.
Ortiz makes the interesting observation "Many urban pastors attempting mutiethnic ministries comment that crossing socioeconomic barriers can be even more difficult than crossing racial or ethnic lines (39).
Again Ortiz writes, "We live in an . . ethnocentric society that wants us to ignore our neighbors, especially if they are different from us, and believe that in some way or another that our culture is superior (42)."
"In our ministries and local churches we have learned to fear those who are non-white, nonaffluent and non-English speaking. We think of them as inferior and potentially violent. Thus we have come to discredit the gospel and the Lord of the gospel (121)."
May 8, 2013
3 1/2 stars - some good information overall.
March 23, 2015
good for those who are starting a church
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews