From Many Nations, One Church
A LEADERSHIP Forum with Glen Kehrein, Henry Kwan, Russell Rosser, and Raleigh Washington
January 1, 1995
Nearly two decades ago, the "homogeneous unit principle" of church growth entered the vocabulary of the American church. Its disarmingly simple premise: like attracts like. Therefore, Christians will best reach other people who share their essential racial, social, and economic traits.
Countering that idea are those who emphasize the gospel's mandate for reconciliation, not simply growth. Therefore, they urge, people must go beyond racial, economic, and social barriers and learn to worship and fellowship with one another as Christians.
The discussion affects all church leaders, because America is growing ever more diverse. Already, according to Time magazine, "More than 100 languages are spoken in the school systems of New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Fairfax County, Virginia." Time predicts that within sixty years, "the descendants of white Europeans … are likely to slip into minority status."
America is also, to many observers, growing more tense over racial and ethnic issues. How should church leaders respond? Can people from many nations form one church?
LEADERSHIP editors Kevin Miller and Bob Moeller invited four leaders of multi-ethnic churches to talk candidly about ministry in a diverse world.
Russell Rosser and Henry Kwan serve First Baptist Church in Flushing, New York. The church is located not far from Shea Stadium in a neighborhood that matches Time's description of having more than 100 languages spoken.
Raleigh Washington and Glen Kehrein are co-authors of the award-winning Breaking Down the Walls. They serve The Rock of Our Salvation Evangelical Free Church on the west side of Chicago. The makeup of their church is approximately 70 percent black and 30 percent white, with a growing Asian component as ...
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