Unveiling the Transcultural Kingdom 2015 Conference with Pastors Leonce Crump, Reid Monaghan, Doug Logan Part 2 of 2
Last month, I went to Kainos 2015 and I've been posting my notes from the strong collection of pastors, nonprofit leaders, authors, and sociologists who prophetically spoke into our segregated American culture. I also went to the Unveiling the Transcultural Kingdom conference a few days after Kainos, and the Lord continued to speak on the beauty of His redemptive plan. Here is my first post from my notes:
Unveiling the Transcultural Kingdom 2015 Conference
Part 1 of 2 with Pastor Leonce Crump
Our prayer,
hope, and striving is that Emmaus City will be a transcultural and
multi-ethnic church in Worcester, of Worcester, and for Worcester. As we
move forward, we will continue to have much to gain from those like Pastors Leonce Crump, Reid Monaghan, and Doug Logan who have gone before us and lead the way in seeking first God's Transcultural Kingdom in Jesus' name.
Part 2 | The Winsome Mission of a Transcultural Community
Pastor Leonce Crump
Pastor of Renovation Church, Atlanta, GA
Jesus unites us first and foremost. Don't cut grace off at what it does for you. See what grace does through you.
Our community ethics should reveal what the gospel can do in showcasing how Christ destroyed the dividing wall of hostility at the cross between people from different cultures and ethnicities.
In understanding why people are friends that have pursued each other across different socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, what would it be like for people in our cities to discover that it's only because of Jesus? We have seen throughout history that it makes them ask, "Who is this Christ?"
Our community ethics should reveal what the gospel can do in showcasing how Christ destroyed the dividing wall of hostility at the cross between people from different cultures and ethnicities.
In understanding why people are friends that have pursued each other across different socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, what would it be like for people in our cities to discover that it's only because of Jesus? We have seen throughout history that it makes them ask, "Who is this Christ?"
For example, in Acts 13, when people in Antioch saw Jews and Gentiles, Barbarians, Scythians, and Greeks, gathering together and giving to each other and those in other cities, they could give them no other name but, "Christian" (Acts 11:20-30). Like Christ. Make those in your context ask, "What is this? How can these people come together?"
Relationships that are so unlikely and so unpredictable can happen when the same wounds are healed by the same gospel – that's the power of Jesus and His Church.
The A side of the gospel reconciliation record God is singing is vertical: Ephesians 2:1-10
The B side of the gospel reconciliation record God is singing is horizontal: Ephesians 2:11-22
All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) – Ephesians 2:4-5
In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. – Ephesians 2:12-16
We cannot say we understand God's vertical reconciling grace if we do not live out his horizontal reconciling grace across culture, ethnicity, and economics. Jesus said this and lived this (Mark 12:29-31). One of His closest friends and apostles, John, said this and lived this (1 John 2:7-11; 1 John 4:7-21). And now Paul continues the message. Despite our best efforts to isolate and segregate from God and each other ... But God ... But now through Christ ... Together as one body ... our hostility toward each other was put to death. How? Jesus is our peace. He broke our destruction down in His body to make us one. He killed death in His death. He took our divided cultures to the cross and weaved together God's reconciliation effort between God and humanity, majority and minority, and the entire family of God.
We are a new humanity, a new ethnos with a new ethos. If so, can we call ourselves missional if we're not being transcultural in our obedience to God's mission?
The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” – Genesis 12:1-3
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20
Are we being contextually faithful with the gospel in our city if the local church does not look like people gathered together from across our city?
I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer. I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations. – Isaiah 56:7
Jesus said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” – Mark 11:17
Do we say the house of God is for all people, but make it only good for some people? It's involving making others feel welcomed across ethnicities, cultures, and economics. Not every church can be multicultural in their context – for example, don't forsake ministry of place for ministry of race – but no church can be against being multicultural either based on the gospel.
How are we reaching those not like us and being reconciled to them through the work of Jesus?
(1) Don't launch until your core team is a multi-ethnic reality
(2) Make multicultural life and worship a non-negotiable
(3) Share your leadership with leaders Jesus provides across cultures
(4) Submit to minority leaders' authority with generosity and grace
(5) Continue to have patience as you launch
(6) Provide cultural and racial learning as you go along in order to become stronger family and better missionaries
(7) Be intentional in who you invite to join you
(8) As you grow, continue to be intentional in your friendships across cultures
(9) Commit to one another in love through the inevitable hardships
(10) Majority culture needs to reject a paternalistic attitude
(11) Don't criticize or deny other cultures
(12) Be and equip understanding and faithful Gospel leaders
(1) Establish a sense of urgency through the Scriptures and the Gospel
(2) Gather a team united and committed to the vision
(3) Develop a holistic strategy for change
(4) Communicate and repeat the vision for change in all ministry settings
(5) Empower broad-based action to implement change
(6) Generate short-term wins and celebrate
(7) Consolidate gains that will inspire and produce more development and change
(8) Anchor in new approaches to multicultural ministry by connecting people across cultures in their homes, service to the city, gatherings for worship, etc.
Whether Planting a Multicultural Church, or Leading Change into Becoming a Multicultural Church, Keep These in Mind:
(1) Keep Jesus as the hero
(2) Address the racial challenge from the beginning
(3) Aim for diversity and authenticity in multi-ethnicity
The A side of the gospel reconciliation record God is singing is vertical: Ephesians 2:1-10
The B side of the gospel reconciliation record God is singing is horizontal: Ephesians 2:11-22
All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) – Ephesians 2:4-5
In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ. For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death. – Ephesians 2:12-16
We cannot say we understand God's vertical reconciling grace if we do not live out his horizontal reconciling grace across culture, ethnicity, and economics. Jesus said this and lived this (Mark 12:29-31). One of His closest friends and apostles, John, said this and lived this (1 John 2:7-11; 1 John 4:7-21). And now Paul continues the message. Despite our best efforts to isolate and segregate from God and each other ... But God ... But now through Christ ... Together as one body ... our hostility toward each other was put to death. How? Jesus is our peace. He broke our destruction down in His body to make us one. He killed death in His death. He took our divided cultures to the cross and weaved together God's reconciliation effort between God and humanity, majority and minority, and the entire family of God.
We are a new humanity, a new ethnos with a new ethos. If so, can we call ourselves missional if we're not being transcultural in our obedience to God's mission?
The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” – Genesis 12:1-3
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20
Are we being contextually faithful with the gospel in our city if the local church does not look like people gathered together from across our city?
I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer. I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices, because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations. – Isaiah 56:7
Jesus said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.” – Mark 11:17
Do we say the house of God is for all people, but make it only good for some people? It's involving making others feel welcomed across ethnicities, cultures, and economics. Not every church can be multicultural in their context – for example, don't forsake ministry of place for ministry of race – but no church can be against being multicultural either based on the gospel.
How are we reaching those not like us and being reconciled to them through the work of Jesus?
Breakout | Planting and Leading Jesus' Multicultural Church
Pastor Doug Logan
Pastor of Epiphany Camden, Camden, NJ
Planting a MultiCultural Church
(1) Don't launch until your core team is a multi-ethnic reality
(2) Make multicultural life and worship a non-negotiable
(3) Share your leadership with leaders Jesus provides across cultures
(4) Submit to minority leaders' authority with generosity and grace
(5) Continue to have patience as you launch
(6) Provide cultural and racial learning as you go along in order to become stronger family and better missionaries
(7) Be intentional in who you invite to join you
(8) As you grow, continue to be intentional in your friendships across cultures
(9) Commit to one another in love through the inevitable hardships
(10) Majority culture needs to reject a paternalistic attitude
(11) Don't criticize or deny other cultures
(12) Be and equip understanding and faithful Gospel leaders
Pastor Reid Monaghan
Pastor of Jacob's Well, North Brunswick, NJLeading a Church Through the Change of Becoming Multicultural
(1) Establish a sense of urgency through the Scriptures and the Gospel
(2) Gather a team united and committed to the vision
(3) Develop a holistic strategy for change
(4) Communicate and repeat the vision for change in all ministry settings
(5) Empower broad-based action to implement change
(6) Generate short-term wins and celebrate
(7) Consolidate gains that will inspire and produce more development and change
(8) Anchor in new approaches to multicultural ministry by connecting people across cultures in their homes, service to the city, gatherings for worship, etc.
Whether Planting a Multicultural Church, or Leading Change into Becoming a Multicultural Church, Keep These in Mind:
(1) Keep Jesus as the hero
(2) Address the racial challenge from the beginning
(3) Aim for diversity and authenticity in multi-ethnicity
(4) Show up and bleed with people like Jesus did
(5) Seek to satisfy God's desire in the midst of all the pressure of satisfying individual desires
(6) Be culturally thoughtful, but not a multicultural dictator; patiently walk with others to help them see how this has been God's plan all along as seen throughout the Scriptures
Next post: Transculturalism in the Bible: God's Beautiful Vision for Reconciling His Multi-Ethnic Family Part 1 of 2
– Sully
Next post: Transculturalism in the Bible: God's Beautiful Vision for Reconciling His Multi-Ethnic Family Part 1 of 2
– Sully
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