The Missing Multiracial Congregation

By Joelle Kopacz

On January 16, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a visionary leader who promoted racial integration and reconciliation. A pastor himself, Dr. King commented on the ironic and discouraging lack of diversity in churches in 1963: “At 11:00 on Sunday morning when we stand and sing and Christ has no east or west, we stand at the most segregated hour in this nation.”

Data from the U.S. Congregational Life Survey indicates that a vast majority of congregations still lack much racial and ethnic diversity. We consider congregations to be racially-ethnically diverse if they have 80% or fewer worshipers in any one racial-ethnic category. In 2001, 9% of congregations participating in the survey modeled diversity, with no significant change by 2008/2009 (7%).

Although there is still much to be done before U.S. congregations achieve greater racial-ethnic unity, many worshipers and congregations are striving to make this hope a reality. Visit these links for ideas and information about multicultural ministry:

• An article on Gerardo Marti, a sociologist who has studied multicultural congregations.
• A list of resources for multicultural ministry from blogger DJ Chuang.
• A review of Jacqueline Lewis’s book, The Power of Stories: A Guide for Leading Multi-Racial and Multi-Cultural Congregations.

 

Comments

[Praxishabitus]

More resources ~
Mosaic of Believers http://amzn.com/0253203430
Hollywood Faith http://amzn.com/0813543495
Worship across the Racial Divide http://amzn.com/0195392973

[Gerardo Marti]

Another helpful resource: New Book ~ Worship across the Racial Divide: Religious Music and the Multiracial Congregation ~ A Response from Three Practitioners

http://unityinchristmagazine.com/worship-arts/worship-across-the-racial-divide-religious-music-and-the-multiracial-congregation-a-response-by-three-practitioners/