A major barrier that impedes growth in multicultural, multiracial churches is known as “ethnocentrism,” the tendency to view the norms and values of one’s own culture as absolute and to use them as a standard against which to judge and measure all other cultures. Many times this tendency is cloaked under the attitude that “they don’t do it like us.”
5 Guidelines for Building a Racially and Culturally Diverse Church Staff
April 19, 2023 by
One of the best ways to communicate a goal of racial and cultural diversity is to have a diversified staff. Actions do speak louder than words.
Connections 03.13.2022: The Last Will Be First
March 6, 2022 by
A consistent theme of Jesus’ earthly ministry was inverting cultural expectations and standards. Think of how many times he met with the lowest classes of his society.
Formations 10.27.2019: Making Amends
October 20, 2019 by
Recently, higher education representatives from across the country met in Cincinnati for a conference exploring racial inequalities in higher education.
Formations 02.18.2018: Run the Race
February 11, 2018 by
For the writer of Hebrews, rest best describes the promise given to Abraham and subsequent generations. So the vision for Israelite society in the promised land rested in sabbath. Likewise, Christian communities would be guided by a commitment to rest. But this writer also understood that the promise did not come into fullness immediately.
Cultivating Cross-cultural, Cross-racial Relationships
August 17, 2017 by
I recently attended a basketball game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Washington Wizards. The Mavericks’s home arena was packed to capacity. People from many cultures and races attended the game. They were smiling at each other, cheering together, and even sharing popcorn.
Formations 08.14.2016: Singing the Blues
August 7, 2016 by
In a recent article in the Chicago Tribune, Ted Slowik explained how, as a white kid growing up in the suburbs, his views about race were shaped in part by exposure to blues music.
Formations 12.27.2015: Only the Beginning
December 20, 2015 by
This December, we reach the 150-year anniversary of when the United States officially ratified and adopted the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution.