pat loughery

I’m putting out a call to find leaders of multiracial churches who would be willing to guest blog on the topic of leading the intentionally multiracial church.

I’ve just sent email to a handful of friends and acquaintances who I’d love to hear from, but if you or somebody you know has experience in the area and would like guest blog here, comment here or email me. Here’s what I emailed earlier:

I’ve been blogging lately (in between bursts on celtic Christianity, new monasticism, vows and other oddities) about multiracial church. I’m using the book United by Faith by DeYoung, Emerson, Yancey and Kim, which I’m reading for my next class at Bakke Graduate University, as a launching pad.

As I’m working on this topic and its reality, and realizing that I’ve failed miserably in this in our past church plant, I want to hear from you who are doing it well. And not just in private email, but in a public forum.

My belief is that those of you on this email are leading churches which are taking the issue of race seriously, and being intentional about leading churches which are multiracial, multiethnic and/or multicultural. United by Faith defines multiracial churches quite simply: A multiracial church is one in which no one race comprises more than 80% of the congregation.

I’d love to have a series of guest bloggers who have experience leading intentionally multiracial, multiethnic or multicultural churches talk about that experience.

Think of this as similar to what Scot McKnight’s doing on the Jesus Creed right now with a series of Pastor’s Wisdom, asking specific pastors what they would do if they could start all over again, or what Jim Henderson does with Off the Map when he does panel interviews to provide a voice to a wide range of experiences.

Would you consider writing on this topic and letting me publish your thoughts to In the Coracle, at http://patloughery.com/ ? And do you have others that you think I should contact as well (or have them contact me).

I’ll keep it free form, but I’m very interested in things like this:

– Why have you been intentional about leading a multiracial church?

– In your experience, are there practical differences between race, ethnicity and culture

– What decisions or actions have you implemented to pursue this?

– What’s been the biggest blessing in doing this?

– What’s been the most significant challenge?

– What has surprised you the most (for better or worse)?

– What advice would you give to others on the topic?

– What do you wish that you could ask others?

– Talk a bit about your church’s neighborhood context and the church’s flavor in general

– What would you want to say to the white male leaders of churches about the issue

That’s a starting point, but really I’d love to hear your heart and give you a place to share your story. I’m hoping that this guest series will spark some healthy conversation and be a good resource for ongoing dialogue on the topic.