One New People: Models for Developing a Multiethnic Church

If the demographics of your church do not look anything like the ethnic diversity of your neighborhood, Manuel Ortiz's book is a great place to start your educational research. I found this book especially helpful in describing different church models of approaching multi-ethnic outreach.

Manuel Ortiz has written a very practical "why and how to" book on developing multicultural congregations. He provides transcultural and time-tested models for moving a church (change management) culture from monolithic to multicultural. Though dated (and thus the demographics tend to be outdated), the principles and practices are timeless. Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction , Soul Physicians, and Spiritual Friends.

Living in a changing world, in the United States, becoming increasingly more diverse culturally, and ethnically, we need to be prepared as the church body to be on the frontlines of this phenomenon. In One New People Ortiz reminds us of the diversity that existed in the church of the first century, and Jesus Christ's' purpose to reconcile us in Him. "The Community has a kingdom testimony of people from diverse backgrounds being loved and being accepted and then sharing their possessions for the purpose of advancing God's Kingdom. This testimony is uncommon in a society where racial strife is more evident than brotherly love. While it often leads to evangelism and growth in the church, it also provides for healing in the community" (Ortiz 1996:93) Ortiz presents in a very practical way throughout the text, examples of various congregations that have taken the steps to change from a homogeneous church to what he describes to be a multicongregational church or a multiethnical church. A multicongregational church is a church that houses various ethnic groups from the community in one building with different meeting times during the week. A Multiethnic church is a church that includes culturally diverse people who meet together as one congregation, utilizing one language, usually English." He presents the case of the International Bible Church, located in Los Angeles and is composed of "Anglos, American Indians, Asian Indians, Blacks, Chinese, Guatemalans, Filipinos, Koreans, Mexicans, Salvadorians, Russians, Taiwanese, Thais, and Ukrainians." The purpose of this church is to glorify God (Eph 1:5-6, 12,14). The key of this ministry is to focus on Jesus Christ who makes us one and not in our differences. Ortiz encourages us to take serious the plan of God of reconciling people. "This new pattern can be summarized in terms of process, change, evaluation and the body of Christ." (Ortiz 1996:140). He uses as a model 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 and mentions some principles that will help us in the cross cultural process of change: Humility, Centrality of Christ, Honesty, Dependence on God, Confidence in God. "I believe that we limit the greatness of our Lord when we know God only as a local God who speaks our language and understands our condition alone. The multiethnic church provides us with a more comprehensive understanding of the Scriptures. It takes away our haughtiness-our belief that we are more important and more knowledgeable than anyone else. It teaches us to learn the world in more depth because the insight of others helps us to see things that our blinders shut out before. It tells us that we need each other (1 Cor 12:12-27) and another part cannot tell another, I have no need of you." (Ortiz 1996:12) We can learn about some steps and models from a Biblical perspective towards a reconciled Church the way Christ intended it to be.

Summary: Ortiz argues that the mission of the church is to reach people with the gospel. To be faithful to its mission, the church must be reaching the people who live in the United States as well as the thousands of people who immigrate here each year. The church, in order to be honoring to its Lord and obedient to His Word, must ultimately become multiethnic or at least be moving in that direction. Ortiz first summarizes the immigration data and identifies the various groups coming to this country. He then argues that an adequate definition of multiethnic church must include both quantitative and qualitative dimensions. There must be more than a mere smattering of another race within a church before it can claim to be multiethnic. Furthermore, a true multiethnic church is more than a variety of cultures meeting together under one roof. The life of the church and the organization of its ministry must genuinely reflect the diversity of the membership. There must be authentic reconciliation between the various groups. This is unnatural. Therefore, it will take time, hard work, and the Grace of God to achieve. Ortiz argues for a multiethnic church but admits that language barriers may make the multi-congregational church the best option. The multi-congregational church forms an umbrella church and ministers to several different ethnic groups clustered in multiple congregations beneath it, each composed of a specific ethnic group. In most cases the congregations share facilities but do not fully integrate with one another. This distinction as a separate, autonomous congregation is usually for language reasons but can also be for racial or ethnic reasons. Following his discussion of the multi-congregational church, Ortiz returns to his thesis that only a true multiethnic church honors God adequately. He argues that the key to developing a true multiethnic church is leadership. Ortiz argues that this normally means the senior pastor must receive the vision, cast the vision, and stick it out until it is realized. Most successful pastors are formally trained, have a strong commitment to the authority of Scripture, and have a burning commitment to missions. They are also deeply committed to spiritual formation and rely heavily on prayer and fasting. The church's task is to neither destroy nor maintain ethnic identities. The church's task is to replace all former identities with a new identity in Christ. Therefore, the church of Christ must move toward developing a new humanity in Christ, a humanity that will express itself in the multiethnic church. Outstanding Strengths: Ortiz is obviously a gentle and humble man. His research is extensive and his conclusions valid. Ortiz distills the principles of true biblical reconciliation and then illustrates them with real-life examples. Outstanding Weaknesses: The structure and flow of the book could be improved. It moves back and forth between ideas instead of presenting them in a clear, logical

Ortiz has written a useful little book in helping to develop multi-ethnic churches. Through a chapter about demographics he shows the necessity of multi-cultural churches today. Then he takes the reader through two main models for multi-ethnic/cultural churches. He first describes the "multi-congregational" model, which is, in essence, when two or more groups meet under the same roof but have limited interaction. The "multiethnic" church, his second model, allows for greater cooperation (and struggles) between the different groups. In the following chapters he develops how best to transition from a mono-cultural to a multi-cultural church with very practical advice and several examples from actual multi-cultural churches. He ends with a theological study on becoming a "new humanity" that gives his theological basis for encouraging the multi-cultural/ethnic church. Pros In chapter one he gives an overview of the chapters with certain questions one should ask while reading them. These are very helpful and practical. Gives good practical advice throughout Cons Does not discuss the possibilities of multi-lingual worship services. Unfortunately because this book was written over 10 years ago, the demographics are a bit out of date. Although anyone living in a multi-ethnic setting could benefit from this book, his primary target seems to be church leaders. Anyone looking to work in an urban area would be well served by reading Ortiz's work.