In his new book, "One Body One Spirit", Dr. George Yancey lists seven general priciples for building multiracial churches.
Associate Professor of sociology at the University of North Texas, and supported in this research by a grant from the Lilly Endowment, Dr. Yancey gives these principles:
1. inclusive worship
2. diverse leadership
3. an overarching goal
4. intentionality
5. personal skills
6. location
7. adaptability
Dr. Yancey's research suggests that these principles are operative in the successful multiracial churches his research identified. (He uses the word "multiracial" rather than "multicultural" for definitiuonal reasons explained in the book, but his research is appropriate for multicultural contexts as well.)
You can order the book through the condev bookstore, or by ordering it from your local bookseller.
Do you want free access to some of the best congregational development studies undertaken in recent years? Are you interested in some of the best resources on: Church Leadership, Outreach, Faith Development, and more?
Want to see what the Lilly Endowment is funding these days?
Here's web site that " seeks to assist leaders and participants in Christian communities, scholars and other interested publics in better understanding the impact, trends and trajectories of Christianity in American society. By providing both information and reflection on selected projects funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc., it offers a unique vantage point for discerning the character and contributions of this tradition within American religion and culture."
OK, they could use a little editing, but the information is GREAT. Take a look:
This from Barna research: "The United States has four very distinct [ethnic] cultures living in the same territory – and the differences in the faith behaviors and beliefs of those four segments are perhaps the most distinctive gaps among them." How does this affect evangelism in our multicultural society?
For the full article CLICK HERE
"By 2025, the population of the Bay Area will reach 8.2 million people -- an increase of 1.4 million from its present level"...
This projection, from the Association of Bay Area Governments and published in the August 1, 2004 San Francisco Chronicle Magazine, raises again the question of evangelism and church growth. How will we meet, welcome and share the Good News these newcomers to the counties of our Diocese?