The Fledglings First Big Splashes
We are excited to say we've identified the threads we want to use to begin putting together the tapestry of how greater ethnic diversity might come about among Vineyards across the country.
We have two major initiatives that we have put into place. The first is that as a team, we are planning regional and area training events to equip pastors and leaders with tools to build and lead multi-ethnic churches. Keep your ears open for an event in your area. The second is that we have planned a two-day conference to gather the ethnic minorities already leading in our churches so that they can receive encouragement and equipping. You can read more about this conference at www.vineyardethnicdiversity.org.
While we have focused our efforts, we recognize that ethnic diversity is a wide-ranging and complex topic. We would love to hear your thoughts on the questions and issues you are wrestling with as you navigate the waters of our increasingly multi-ethnic world. And we'd love to hear your thoughts on our current initiatives!
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Comments
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My wife and I attend All Nations Fellowship, Tulsa, OK. We have been in the Vineyard movement since about 1989. Vineyards we have been in before and visited were not exclusive with regards to multi-ethnic members, visitors and interests in those cities but despite the every so often non-white white members and visitors the fact was there was very little people of color. Even in a very large university town and this university had much more diversity not only in American citizens but also in various nationalities (e.g., Asia, South American, Europe, etc.). One could go to one or two Wal-marts and hear a number of languages and only every hear (American) English in a fellowship gathering.
In contrast the All Nations Fellowship in Tulsa is a multi-national fellowship, a multi-national engaged group of people, and church values, mission, and focus - we are about Christ , Community and Cultures. As with Wal-mart who is not specifically multi-cultural but because in a number of American towns (small and large) we are multi-national, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic - American is the World. The World comes to America. In preparing for Easter, I was out doing errands and stopped to get gas (one of two stations I regularly stop at) and spoke to the attendant ( middle eastern) which I new nothing about including his specific ethnicity and had alway assumed (Indian or Pakistani). With out much effort I found a lot out about his life - a single father of two girls with no plans for Easter. We has something in common. I had been a single father of three boys for seven years but as an American did not have his ethnic and cultural struggles as being labeled a foreigner. Our fellowship has strong ties to persons coming and going from a large variety of countries all the time. This is because Tulsa as a International town and the Tulsa University draws hundreds every year to a number of its programs in petroleum, information technology, business and finance education. Friendship, being a good neighbor, friend, someone who just shares are all halmarks of the relationships we have and are building. Inviting a stranger to our country into our homes, lives, community is a God value. Building these relationships have been enriching and has also increased our friendship circle.
I love what Lisa had to say "We had many things in common, especially our desire for living life with intimacy with God, unfettered worship, growing in spiritual gifts." We have found that is the best foundation for diverse cultures being able to come together as a church.
We are very fortunate to have a diverse congregation in a relatively suburban community on the outskirts of Phoenix, AZ. One of the most memorable worship services, for me, was when my husband decided to ask several from our bilingual "family" to come up to the mic during a time of corporate praise and worship God in their native tongue. Our first spoke Portugese, which initially sounds like Spanish (which is prevalent in our community). There was a slight hush when he began as everyone tried to follow what was going on, then when one of our immigrants spoke Russian we all "got it" and the congregation joyfully responded. In all we heard praises in Spanish, Japanese, Navajo, and Swahili, as well as Portugese and Russian. (our American-Korean family was shy that day). It was electrifying!
But, as fun as that was, our primary empahsis is on being the Body of Christ, despite all of our differences. Learning to love and honor one another and be like Jesus.
We planted and pastored a multi-national, multi-ethnic church family in the SF Bay area for over 10 years. We are currently on a sabbatical and on hold, but the life of the family still exists...
At least half of our family were new immigrants, educated, without natural family in the states, so being in a group that's strength was family was very attractive to them. The other half has consistently been the classic version of diversity of ethnicity.
Honestly, when we think "diverse" we don't just think black, hispanic etc... we think international diversity. I am sure everyone has a different pool of people in their area, and our story does not translate for everyone... but I think the core ideas do... loving, honest, sincere devotion to God and each other, growing in the kingdom gifts, and generosity to the community around us does.
We have had this mix since day one of the plant, and continued to have the mix in both leadership and members the entire decade. It was both a challenge and a joy. Challenge due to cultural differences, a joy due to deeper relationship building and honest communication. We have had diverse leaders who led worship, children's ministry, youth, preached, home groups and did set up all along... everyone pitched in. (Have you tried to teach a "tea drinker" from Asia to make good coffee?)
It was not always perfect, some cultures hide their feelings, others don't know they have them ;0) and other than the normal "broken people" issues that anyone deals with... for the most part we really learned to love each other deeply and build our lives together. Brian and I don't know how we could go back to "everyone being the same" without it being boring... ;0) We have become some of the children's American grandparents, complete with dates, Wii competitions, slumber parties, etc...
We had many things in common, especially our desire for living life with intimacy with God, unfettered worship, growing in spiritual gifts are a few of them. Oh, eating is also a big thing! Supporting each other when needs arise... whether hospital visits, cleaning each others houses when one cannot, meals, helping move, finding household goods, basically coming along side in a concrete manner as well as a spiritual one is a powerful thing.
I would say that these are all more adventurous people, willing to get out of their comfort zone of "like with like" and also very responsive to love and honesty. Not your typical mix ...We were not the most "segregated" hour of the week as the saying goes of church on a Sunday morning. You have to be vulnerable, trusting, and curious... oh, and hugger,
We are currently on sabbatical right now, and in transition... but no matter what direction God gives for our next assignment, start back up again or move on... Brian and I are still magnetically drawn to the internationals and they us,,,so we know this is a call of sorts. How wonderful a bonus to us...
That is it, I hope all the Vineyards experience this in their families... not easy, sometimes rocky, but quite a personally growing joy. We thought this would give a helpful, different perspective... bless you guys!
Brian and Lisa White
brinlisa@gmail.com
Vineyard Fremont (on sabbatical, in God's hands)