(Release from March 29, 2008)
INDIANAPOLIS – A recent Consultation on “Becoming a Multicultural and Inclusive Church” held at the Fatima Retreat House in Indianapolis on March 27-29, 2008, called upon Disciples of Christ to welcome diversity as a strength to reach out in witness to our society and world; to embrace difference as a mark of our unity in Christ; and, to become the church God wants us to be as a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-racial and inclusive community that reflects Christ's love for all persons.
Thirty-five persons participated in the Consultation, including equal representation from each of our church’s constituency groups – African American Disciples (the National Convocation); European-American (White) Disciples; Hispanic Disciples; and North American Pacific Asian Disciples (NAPAD) – along with two Haitian pastors from new congregation starts. The four major presenters were Carmelo Alvarez, Raymond Brown, Tim Lee, and Newell Williams. Bible studies and worship were led by Timothy James, Huberto Pimentel, Geunhee Yu, and Sharon Watkins. The agenda included times of presentation and discussion about the histories of each constituency group and their understandings on how each constituency views Christian unity for the 21st century.
The goals for the Consultation were to address the issue of becoming/being a multi-cultural and inclusive church; to help new church pastors and congregations have resources to understand our identity as Disciples of Christ today, especially as we claim to be a “movement for wholeness in a fragmented world”; and, to offer specific recommendations to the church to enable the Disciples to become a more multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-racial and inclusive church.
Reflecting on the event, Yowanda Bowens, a seminarian at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio, stated that, “What has inspired me in the consultation was the openness and honesty that was shared, prayed about and intentionality to make a difference and seek changes in self and others.”
Vy Nguyen, a recent graduate from the University of Chicago Divinity School, shared, “We all want a church that is inclusive and multicultural, no doubt about it. But we have not taken the time to listen to the different stories from our ethnic brothers and sisters and how they have been shaped and filled with the Holy Spirit, and how their history is also a part of our history. This consultation was the beginning of just that—of listening and embracing each other's history in a way that is truly inclusive!”
David Shirey, a new church pastor in Phoenix, AZ, stated, “My being a part of our New Church efforts over the past six years has opened my eyes and heart to the new Pentecost with which the Spirit is blessing Disciples--diverse folks of many nations, races, and tongues witnessing together to the mighty works of God. My prayer is that we may truly become what we already are: one Church.”
Similarly, Dan Henley, pastor of a new church in Memphis, Tennessee, wrote, “I believe that the sky is the limit for what we can be and accomplish as a church family if we continue! This journey will take some time; however, I believe that the Lord has given us a blank sheet of paper and we can write our own story.”
Carmelo Alvarez, summarized the event in saying, “This was an intensive and valuable meeting as we dealt with biblical, theological and spiritual dimensions of our different traditions and ethnicities, trying to become an inclusive and multicultural church. I hope and pray that we look at the future searching for a new vision, in the power of the Spirit, to become a truly inclusive and multicultural church, respecting our diversities and strengthening our unity as Disciples of Christ.”
At the closing session of the event, a draft report from the Consultation was developed that set forth a future agenda marked by both accountability and hope. A follow-up team from among the participants will be named to do the work of translating the suggestions into reality and action.
This Consultation was convened by the Council on Christian Unity in partnership with the Disciples racial ethnic ministries (NAPAD, the National Convocation, and the Central Pastoral Office of Hispanic Ministries) and the General New Church Ministry Team.
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