Multi-Ethnic Church Track
This track is designed for church planters, pastors seeking to revitalize churches in decline, and pastors seeking to transition healthy but otherwise homogeneous churches via the multi-ethnic vision. The interactive sessions will provide the historical and cultural context, as well as, a biblically sound theology upon which to build a healthy multi-ethnic church. We will discuss practical points of application for a wide array of settings and the unique challenges facing those in pursuit of the dream.
During each session, attendees will choose from two issues the emerging Multi-Ethnic ministry is facing. The track will be led by practitioners, authors and educators who have planted multi-ethnic churches or who are currently laboring in the field.
Session Speakers:
• Mark DeYmaz
• Alex Mandes
• Mont Mitchell
• Harry Li
• Amado Lobatos
• Dianne Padilla
• Jay Pankratz
• George Yancey
Session Descriptions:
Session 1 - Beyond Racial Gridlock: A Christian Approach to the Problem of Race and Ethnicity (George Yancey)
If God created our world to be one and Jesus taught us to be one, then why is there so much division? This session will define the historical and cultural context of the racial divide in the United States and why local churches tend to be racially homogeneous.
Session 2 - Immigration Issues in the Multi-Ethnic Church (Dianne Padilla)
Depending on the source there are 7-20 million undocumented people living in the US. One of the most burning issues in our society today as it relates to churches and multi-ethnic outreach is the issue of Immigration. What can a ministry do when faced with the need to minister to undocumented persons? What line must the church not cross?
Session 3 - Choose between 2 options during this session.
Nuts and Bolts of Developing and Ministering in a Multi-Ethnic Setting (Mont Mitchell & Amado Lobatos)
So you are answering God's call to plant a church but even more so to plant a Multi-ethnic church. This session will outline some of the most common do and don'ts as well as some of the hidden do and don'ts of planting and ministering in a Multi-ethnic church.
OR
Runaway Samaritans (Alex Mandes)
Scripture seems to be clear on our need to show compassion to all people regardless of their race and ethnicity. This session will present the Biblical defense for compassion even upon the undocumented immigrant.
Session 4 - Choose between 2 options during this session.
Tools, Assessments, Resources (George Yancey)
Is your church a multi-ethnic church? This session will flood the conferee with information relative to Assessment tools and pertinent resources to assist in developing your ministry and church plant along the line of multi-ethnicity.
OR
Outreach and Growth Strategies for Multicultural Ministry (Jay Pankratz)
Multicultural ministry provides unique challenges and opportunities for outreach. This session will explain growth strategies that are biblically healthy and really work to bring the lost and the unchurched to Christ. In 2008 at Sunrise Church, with no ethnic majority, attendance increased by 696 people per week over the previous year and more than 11,000 attended Easter services. Jay will explain the strategies that facilitated this growth and how they can be used in churches of any size.
Session 5: Obstacles in Pursuit of the Dream (Mark DeYmaz and Harry Li)
This session will focus on the obstacles of multi-ethnic church planting/ development, as well as on ways in which these can be overcome.
