Church in a Church An Intentionally Structure Launching Ethnics Communities for Growth.

Church in a Church

An Intentionally Structure LaunchingEthnics Communities for Growth.

CHURCH IN A CHURCH VIDEO

Disclaimer1. It is only one model – there are many other models of

reaching immigrant communities2. It is only one model – there are many other models of

reaching immigrant communities

Demographics• In 2000 Census predicted Hispanic Majority minority by 2010 • Census predicts 2050 Minorities helped by immigration (legal &

illegal) will be Majority• In 2008 they changed the date twice (2047 & 2042)• 17 of the 20 largest cities are majority minority.• Half of all children under 5 years are Ethnic• Since 2000 Hispanics comprise 50% of the growth in population.• 90% of Hispanic Children were born here• Many of largest cities have ethnic majority already• Statistically, demographers generally agreed, the person who pushed

the national population to 300 million was most likely a Hispanic boy in the Southwest.

• Let me show you three pictures

DemographicsPercent Hispanic Counties 2000

Notice the growth going east and northeast

DemographicsThe Blue here represents greater than 100%

Question about why we need a CIC?• Why don’t they just join in our service?

– Language & culture – eventually “they” do…our people were a “they” once• We will do translation for them!

– Have you ever had to sit through a 1 hour translated sermon?– 52 weeks a year?

• Why don’t they just learn English?– Are we trying to save them or assimilate them to America? Decide which first?

• According to studies they are learning English at the same rate as other groups did1

• If we say both we are confused about our mission!

• Paul said ethnic and culture assimilation are subservient to his mission – “To Save”

• Why are they even here?– For us to save them – Acts 17:26-26 - From one man he made every nation of

men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.

1 “Most U.S.-Born Latinos Speak Fluent English” Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, November 30, 2007; Page A14

Why do we need a CIC?• To Win people for Christ• I am a proud American but I make sure I do not equate that

as the foundation of the Biblical Mandate!• My friend Pastor Scott Solberg – “two people came that

got saved that would not have come to the Lord had we not entered into this endeavor.”

• Why do we do this? – Win souls and make disciples!– Win souls/disciple more important that assimilating Americans! This is not a

slam on American law just a statement of priorities.• Paul didn’t let ethnicity or culture get in the way of winning

people to Jesus – he kept the goal in mind!

Though I am an American, I make room for everyone, in order to win as many as possible to the Lord. To the Hispanic I became like a Hispanic, to win the Hispanic. To those recent immigrants I try to distinguish between the Gospel mandates and the cultural extrapolations we have made for our church, so as to win those are new to our country. To those not sure of Anglo Evangelical Culture I try to remember to see the core mission of the church is to win those not having the Gospel. To the lost I became as lost, to win the lost. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 1 Cor 9:19-23

What Distinguishes a CIC from a Renter(Not all of these items are necessary & some people are transitioning to this)

• * Same governance• * One budget• * Doctrinal alignment• * Calendar alignment• * Value/mission Alignment• * Cultural Alignment• * Bilingual Hispanic Pastor – must cast vision both ways• * Same service time as the Anglo service – Helps with children

since most of the children’s ministry are in English• Pastor on staff (executive staff) – possible as group grows• Dedicated space – Helps to feel wanted/welcome• Spanish Name for CIC –

– this really helps as they invite other Hispanics– Think of it as a specialized ABF…but it is a lot more. Don’t over control.– Helps Hispanic Ministries keep in touch and get Spanish material and announcements

to them about opportunities being offered.– It communicates to them release of control

* Required

So Why do THEY need a CIC?• 1st Generation Congregations typically have limited capital• 1st Generation Congregations typically non-English

– Even if they speak English it is not the language of their heart• While they are fierce church planters many lack many

theological, ministerial and practical skills• That is where we can be key partners and extend our reach

through them into a community we know we must reach

Obstacles• Ethnic Economics

– Often have to choose between paying pastor or building• Language

– 1st generation speaks Spanish (or the language of their home country)– 2nd & 3rd Speak English because of school system

• Friends are English speaking

• Lack of Church skill– Pastors often has no formal Bible training– Little missional training/thinking

• Racism– There are people in BOTH churches that harbor racism issues

• Immigration Irritation– There WILL BE IMMIGRATION issues in the Immigrant Church – must have policy or at least

an understanding?– Workshop on Immigration: Author Jenny Hwang World Relief “Welcome the Stranger” -

Biblical considerations for undocumented immigrants. – Thursday 8:30 Room M213

Immigration Compassion WorkshopTomorrow at 8:30 in Room M213

Author of “Welcome the Stanger”

Jenny Hwang – Director of Advocacy For World Relief in Baltimore.

Jenny Hwang is director of advocacy and policy for the Refugee and Immigration Program of World Relief in Baltimore, Maryland.

Churches that are doing it• Fresno EFCA – The Bridge / El Puente 70• Emmanuel in Burbank 100• Southwest Church in CA/ Comunidad Cristiana – 300-350• 1st Free in Austin – Nueva Vida 350 -

– Just planted their first church out of Nueva Vida!• New

– Willmar EFCA - MN– Wethersfield CT– Wayside Chapel TX

• This year I have been invited to three districts to talk This year I have been invited to three districts to talk about the CIC model.about the CIC model.

50 in next 5 years!

Testimonies&

Stories

Key Ingredients • Senior Pastor that champions the CIC

– He must navigate all objections – there will be objections• Money, space, competing ministries…subtle racial issues!• The answer has always got to be… “to win”

• Missional Church – Saving them will save us! It will help us regain our focus on mission!

• Changing Neighborhood (Lots of ethnics around)– They are there, many EFCA churches are shrinking while surrounded.

• Dedicated Space – room for 50-100 with own worship equipment– We must communicate long term commitment…it WILL take time!

• Hispanic Pastor – (Can be volunteer initially)– Often the volunteer can get trained (GATEWAY)– When the church is ready the Lord will provide laborers

Steps• Vision Casting with Pastor & Elders• Vision Casting with Pastors/Missions Committee

– Explore Commonalities– Develop Action Plan

• Vision Casting with Church– Set up Financial Plan

• Training– EFCA Church Planting Boot Camp– EFCA Samaritan Way – With Alvin Sanders

• Form core group • Hire Pastor – before the launch• BUILDING STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS• Impact Study

– See The Bridge sample • Set up GATEWAY

Dangers• Weak CIC - Doing CIC without Training and Mentoring (This is a typical CIC) it is treated

as a caretaker ministry• Financial Dependency– Because Hispanics may leave financial heavy lifting to Anglos, Hispanics must be challenged

for to parity of money but parity of effort.• Failure to listen• Misunderstanding by 2nd & 3rd generation• Since they fit better in English service they feel Spanish not important for any• Concerned about being pigeon holed – all should be allowed to chose • Anglo Domination– Here is the biggest danger.

• Lack of strategic partnership• Lack of respect• Attitude of “Golden Rule” – he who has money makes the rules

• Misalignments– In effort to make it happen people COMPROMISE on alignment

• Doctrine, Mission, Values

Benefits• Partnership

– Strategic and respectful in spite of Hispanics not having all the credentials etc.– Take time to build a relationship– Compañerismo= Partnership “A Compañero is a complementary relationship driven

by a common purpose and sustained by a willingness to learn and grow together in obedience to God.”

• Expansion of our POV (God, Doctrine, Worldview)• Interethnic

– Children Intermingling, Cultural interaction– Develop Double Consciousness - people learn to see from others peoples POV

• Home Mission – Samaria– Impacting the future

• Very Evangelistic– Hispanics want to reach their people

• Very intentional• Wise use or resources

“I have found that it has allowed me to see & savor other parts of God's character then I would have ever have seen if I had remained in a homgenious setting.  It has made my relationship with Christ that much richer and my praise of Him that much more.  Also, I feel I have been changed and enriched as a person because I am challenged to see the world in a different way.”

True partnership is brotherhood.

“last week two people came who got saved that would not have come to the Lord had we

not entered into this CIC endeavor.”

Pastor Scott Solberg