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- Slide 1
- Michael K. Wilson www.facetofacintercultural.com.au
- Slide 2
- The Range of Models Key Propositions Dominant Host Models
Bridging Models Multiethnic Models
- Slide 3
- Dominant Host Models Back to The Range of Models
Assimilationist Benefactor-Beneficiary Landlord-Tenant
- Slide 4
- Bridging Models Back to The Range of Models Translation Model
(bi-lingual or multi-lingual) Overlap Model (separate congregations
with partially shared worship)
- Slide 5
- Multi-Ethnic Models Back to The Range of Models
Uni-Congregational Multi-Ethnic Model (one ethnically diverse
church community composed of one congregation) Multi-Congregational
Multi-Ethnic Model (one ethnically diverse church community
composed of separate, but integrated congregations) Some
multi-congregational multi-ethnic churches include one or more
uni-congregational multi-ethnic congregations.
- Slide 6
- Key Propositions All Christians are already united in
ChristUnity is a spiritual not a structural realityUnity is
violated by isolationist churches There is no right or ideal model
on earth More ResourcesBack to The Range of Models
- Slide 7
- Already United Back to Key Propositions 1 Corinthians 12:12-26
Ephesians 4:3-5
- Slide 8
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 12 Just as a body, though one, has many
parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.
13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one
bodywhether Jews or Gentiles, slave or freeand we were all given
the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one
part but of many. 15 Now if the foot should say, Because I am not a
hand, I do not belong to the body, it would not for that reason
stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, Because
I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body, it would not for that
reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an
eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an
ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has
placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted
them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be?
20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body. Continuation
- Slide 9
- 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, I
dont need you! And the head cannot say to the feet, I dont need
you! 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be
weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less
honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are
unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our
presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the
body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25
so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts
should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers,
every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part
rejoices with it. Back to Already United
- Slide 10
- Ephesians 4:3-5 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the
Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one
Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5
one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who
is over all and through all and in all. Back to Already United
- Slide 11
- Unity is a Spiritual Not a Structural Reality Biblical unity
involves keeping the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:3). The
oneness for which Jesus prayed is oneness in the Father and Son
(John 17:21). Unity is expressed through loving use of Spirit-given
gifts for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:1-14:1). Oneness in
Christ does not dissolve essential distinctions. Unity is the focal
concern, diversity is assumed. Back to Key Propositions
- Slide 12
- Unity is the Focal Concern, Diversity is Assumed Many a
Christian church and many a Christian parachurch organization
devotes more attention to promoting its diversity than to fostering
godly unity, even though in the Bible the diversity is not so much
commanded as presupposed, while the unity is a desirable goal. Don
Carson, The Intolerance of Tolerance. Back to Unity is a Spiritual
Not a Structural Reality
- Slide 13
- Oneness in Christ does not Dissolve Essential Distinctions
Colossians 3:11 Colossians 3:18-4:1 Here there is no Gentile or
Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or
free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 18 Wives, submit yourselves
to your husbands... 19 Husbands, love your wives 20 Children, obey
your parents 21 Fathers, do not embitter your children 22 Slaves,
obey your earthly masters in everything 4 1 Masters, provide your
slaves with what is right and fair Back to Unity is a Spiritual Not
a Structural Reality
- Slide 14
- Churches or Congregations that Isolate themselves Violate Unity
Back to Key Propositions Romans 15:25-27; cf. 2 Corinthians 8-9John
17:20-23Ephesians 6:18 Any church or congregation that remains in
isolation cannot reflect the universality and diversity of the Body
of Christ. Back to Implications of a ND Mindset
- Slide 15
- Romans 15:25-27 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in
the service of the Lords people there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia
were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lords
people in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they
owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews
spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them
their material blessings. Back to Unity is Violated by Isolationist
Churches Christ-honouring unity involves practical expressions of
love between churches. This was displayed when the churches of
Macedonia and Achaia pooled funds to assist famine-stricken
believers in Jerusalem.
- Slide 16
- John 17:20-23 My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for
those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of
them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May
they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent
me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may
be one as we are one 23 I in them and you in meso that they may be
brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent
me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Back to Unity is
Violated by Isolationist Churches Denial of unity undermines
Christ-honouring witness to the world.
- Slide 17
- Ephesians 6:18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all
kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and
always keep on praying for all the Lords people. We are to care for
all believers wherever they may be through our prayers. Back to
Unity is Violated by Isolationist Churches
- Slide 18
- No Right or Ideal Church Model There is no prescribed or
normative model presented in the New Testament. A
non-discriminatory (including multi-ethnic) mindset IS mandated but
the multiethnic church is not mandated as THE right or ideal church
model. The Multi-Ethnic Church is not THE right or ideal church
model Back to Key Propositions
- Slide 19
- The Multiethnic Church is Not THE Right or Ideal Church Model
1.Though not mandated, multiethnic churches powerfully point to the
wonder of the new humanity created by Christ. 2.ALL churches must
welcome ALL people. John 17:20-23 does not mandate the multiethnic
church. Back to No Right or Ideal Church Model Ephesians 2:14-18
does not mandate the multiethnic church. Revelation 7:9 does not
mandate the multiethnic church.
- Slide 20
- John 17:20-23 My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for
those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of
them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May
they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent
me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may
be one as we are one 23 I in them and you in meso that they may be
brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent
me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Back to
Multiethnic Church is Not THE Right or Ideal Model Jesus does not
say HOW this unity should be expressed in church life.
- Slide 21
- Ephesians 2:14-18 For he himself is our peace, who has made the
two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of
hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its
commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one
new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body
to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put
to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who
were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him
we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Back to
Multiethnic Church is Not THE Right or Ideal Model Paul does not
say HOW this unity should be expressed in church life.
- Slide 22
- Revelation 7:9 After this I looked, and there before me was a
great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe,
people and language, standing before the throne and before the
Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches
in their hands. 1.Insofar as the multiethnic church foreshadows
this eschatological reality it is most emphatically a GOOD model.
2.This is visionary language, not a photograph. Christians will not
spend the rest of eternity gathered together in a giant stadium.
3.Be careful how you apply this vision to present-day church life.
We look and there before us in the new creation are no married
people (Matthew 22:30). Is celibacy mandated for Christians? Back
to Multiethnic Church is Not THE Right or Ideal Model
- Slide 23
- ALL Churches Must Welcome ALL People Acts 10:28 James 2:1, 8-9
Implications Reality: Mindset and Model must be distinguished. Back
to Multiethnic Church is Not THE Right or Ideal Model
- Slide 24
- Implications of a Non- Discriminatory Mindset A
non-discriminatory (including multiethnic) mindset IS mandated; the
multiethnic church model is not. Churches that are isolationist and
exclusive violate Scripture. Idolatrous elements of culture which
fly in the face of such a non-discriminatory gospel-driven approach
must be challenged. Back to All Churches Must Welcome ALL
People
- Slide 25
- Challenge Opposing Idolatrous Elements of Culture we endure
anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of
Christ (1 Cor 9:12b; ESV). Some people reject the gospel not
because they perceive it to be false, but because they perceive it
to be alien (John Stott). does the gospel we proclaim present
people with other threats that are unnecessary, because it calls
for the abolition of harmless customs or appears destructive of
national art, architecture, music, and festivals, or because we who
share it are culture-proud and culture-blind? (John Stott). Back to
Implications of a Non-Discriminatory Mindset
- Slide 26
- Acts 10:28 And [Peter] said to [Cornelius and company], You
yourselves know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with or
to visit anyone of another nation, but God has shown me that I
should not call any person common or unclean (Acts 10:28). Back to
ALL Churches Must Welcome ALL People
- Slide 27
- James 2:1, 8-9 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the
faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory If you really
fulfil the royal law according to the Scripture, You shall love
your neighbour as yourself, you are doing well. But if you show
partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as
transgressors. Back to ALL Churches Must Welcome ALL People
- Slide 28
- Mindset and Model Must Be Distinguished Even assuming a
non-discriminatory mindset, the development of a church
representative of people from all soci0-economic, linguistic and
ethnic backgrounds will depend on such factors as: Local
demographics Times of church services and other activities Language
barriers Reactions to legitimate expressions of local culture, e.g.
differences in dress, male-female interactions, etc. Back to ALL
Churches Must Welcome ALL People
- Slide 29
- Assimilationist Model Dominant culture controls leadership
Token changes made for cultural differences Attitude: Become like
us or dont come (can be graciously expressed) Suitability for
congregations or ministries with a legitimately limited focus
Exclusivism and isolationism are unacceptable Reality: all models
(including the multi- ethnic model) expect some degree of
assimilation Back to Dominant Host Models
- Slide 30
- Congregations or Ministries with a Legitimate Limited Focus
Those focusing on first generation migrants with limited English
Those whose focus is limited by demographic realities, e.g. dont
expect a church in Tokyo to change because of one expatriate member
Those seeking to reach a particular range of people
evangelistically, whether existing or church planting initiatives
Back to Assimilationist Model
- Slide 31
- Slide 32
- Assimilation: Navajo Back to Assimilationist Model
- Slide 33
- The Borg The Borg are a fictional army of cybernetic organisms
who live in the Star Trek universe. They function as drones
forcibly absorbing other species into their hive, connecting them
to the hive mind in an act called assimilation, involving
injections of cybernetic implants. Back to Assimilationist
Model
- Slide 34
- Benefactor-Beneficiary & Landlord-Tenant Models Guest
congregation pays rent (Landlord- Tenant) or uses church property
rent-free (Benefactor-Beneficiary) The host and guest congregations
are autonomous and largely independent of each other Interaction is
largely token and superficial Essentials: Avoidance of impulsive
action Written agreement Good communication Back to Dominant Host
Models
- Slide 35
- Tenancy Agreement Back to Benefactory-Beneficiary &
Landlord-Tenant Models
- Slide 36
- Sumo Wrestler Back to Benefactory-Beneficiary &
Landlord-Tenant Models
- Slide 37
- Translation Model (Bi- or Multi-Lingual) Different languages
with translation used in same church gathering Main advantage:
enables Christians with different first languages to fellowship
together Main disadvantages Back to Bridging Models
- Slide 38
- Main Disadvantages of the Translation Model Often much more
time-consuming. Translations are an inadequate substitute for
direct communication in heart language. Does not usually address
the language-for-singing issue. The style or ethos is usually that
of the dominant host culture. Back to Translation Model
- Slide 39
- Interpreter Back to Translation Model
- Slide 40
- Simultaneous Translation Back to Translation Model
- Slide 41
- Overlap Model All initially gather together irrespective of
ethnicity (often translation required) After some time the two
groups separate to meet in separate areas Questions: Is one group
being treated like Sunday School children? Is one group accepting
this model out of obligation? Back to Bridging Models
- Slide 42
- Two Groups Back to Overlap Model
- Slide 43
- Uni-Congregational Multi-Ethnic Model One ethnically diverse
church community composed of one congregation No ethnic group
composes 80% or more of the congregation (Emerson) In Australia
English is the medium The leadership of the church reflects the
multi-ethnic character of the church Church services reflect ethnic
diversity BUT often particularly reflect the style of the majority
culture Not congenial to many with limited English or particularly
strong dependence on their cultural roots Some members may lose
their ability to reach others from their own ethnic group Back to
Multi-Ethnic Models
- Slide 44
- Multi-ethnic group Back to Uni-Congregational Multi-Ethnic
Church
- Slide 45
- Multi-Congregational Multi-Ethnic Church One ethnically diverse
church community composed of separate, but integrated ethnic
congregations Possibly multiple meeting-places; usually one central
site Integration of leadership Some pooling of money received Some
combined activities Back to Multi-Ethnic Models
- Slide 46
- Multi-Congregations Back to Multi-Congregational Multi-Ethnic
Model
- Slide 47
- More Resources www.facetofaceintercultural.com.au Back to The
Range of Models