"Americans are creating new forms of religious experience and expression that are replacing the common approach (i.e., attending events and programs at a congregational form of a local church). During the last couple of years, in particular, there has been an explosion of activity in new forms of faith activity, such as the house church, marketplace ministries, and cyberchurch participation."
This intro, from the Barna group, leads into their conclusion that a "Rapid Increase in Alternative Forms of The Church" is "Changing the Religious Landscape." For more info: www.barna.org
We are blessed in living and ministering in an area with people from all over the world, representing many ethnicities, languages, and traditions. The Bay Area was one of the first regions in the country to become a place where no one group is the majority.
Nonetheless, the church has a long way to go before it reflects our community. Too often we think of multicultural mission as something that is only specifically directed “toward” a group – rather than embracing the good news that the membership of each of our congregations can – and should – reflect the multiple cultures of our communities.
If you would like to read more about the possibilities and challenges of multicultural congregational mission and evangelism, here are a few books to read. Each also has a bibliography for further reading:
Introducing Latino/a Theologies by Miguel De La Torre & Edwin Aponte, Orbis, 2001
Faithful Generations: Race and New Asian American Churches by Russell Jeung, Rutgers, 2004
One Body, One Spirit: Principles of Successful Multiracial Churches, by George A. Yancey, Intervarsity Press, 2003
High-Impact African-American Churches, by George Barna & Harry Jackson, Regal Books, 2004