The Diversity Project by Rocky Kidd and Allan Howe

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AEC2000

The Diversity Project

Stories and Practical Learnings about the Origins of Multicultural Urban Churches

Rocky Kidd and Allan Howe
February 7, 2000

Sponsored by the Commission on Home Ministries, the Mennonite Board of Missions, and the Evangelism Fund of the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary.

If you want to grow something to last a season –
Plant flowers.

If you want to grow something to last a lifetime –
Plant trees.

If you want to grow something to last through eternity –
Plant churches.

—Anonymous Trinity Evangelical Divinity School student, 1999

This paper was presented to the Anabaptist Evangelism Council for discussion and feedback.
It should be seen as a work-in-progress rather than a conclusive study.

Introduction

Summary of findings

The urban and denominational context

	The browning urbanization of the U.S.: Snapshot of a nation amid rapid urbanizing and diversifying
	The expanding urban mission work of Mennonite denominations

Stories of multicultural churches: varied origins

Earlier Mennonite efforts (mid-twentieth century)

Voluntary Service-related congregations

The urban missionaries

Recent Mennonite efforts (categories from The Church Planter’s Tool Kit)

Revitalizing: Congregations which transform themselves

Branching: A group "hives off" to realize a vision

Pioneering: A church planter with wider support

Partnering: The joining of monocultural congregations

Multicultural congregations in other denominations

Southern Baptist

United Methodist

Presbyterian Church (USA)

Evangelical Covenant (Portland, Louisiana)

Evangelical Lutheran Church of America

Salvation Army

Evangelical Free (Rock of Our Salvation in Chicago)

Independent multicultural congregations

Developing multicultural churches

Multicultural churches: challenges and creative responses

Language

Communication

Religious expectations

Cultural misunderstandings

Personality, class, etc.

Religious immaturity and woundedness

Public image and staffing

Power and funding

Self-awareness

Appendix: Principles for Growing Multicultural Churches

Bibliography

For further information or feedback on this study, contact Rocky Kidd, 4331 Carey, East Chicago, IN 46312, 219-677-4112 (RockyKidd@usa.net) or Allan Howe, 723 Seward St., Evanston, IL 60202, 847-475-5041 (AHHowe@aol.com)

Taken from A New Humanity: Anabaptist Ministry Among Many Peoples (© 2000 New Life Ministries). Permission to reproduce for local church use only is granted. Provided by New Life Ministries, 6404 S Calhoun St, Fort Wayne, IN 46807, through its web site at www.NewLifeMinistries-NLM.org
This and all presentations from the council meeting, along with a record of the proceedings, are available in booklet form for $10.00. Use the online order form (product code AEC00).

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The browning urbani

The Diversity Project

Stories and Practical Learnings about the Origins of Multicultural Urban Churches

Contents

Stories of multicultural churches: varied origins

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