MarkDeYmaz.com

A Bright Light in the Public Square

The growing movement toward multi-ethnic churches must not be fueled by a desire to grow a church numerically. Nor should we embrace the vision simply in light of changing times and neighborhoods or because it is somehow “cool” or politically correct. The movement and the healthy multi-ethnic church must be built instead on the fi rm foundation of the Word of God and a desire to lead individuals to Christ.

We should recognize that the unity of diverse believers walking together as one in and through the local church provides for us the most effective means for reaching the world with the Gospel in the twenty-first century. Such unity was envisioned by Christ, described for us (by Luke) at Antioch, and prescribed by Paul in his letter to the Ephesians. In other words, we must embrace the vision because it is “spiritually correct” and, while not necessarily easy, a right and noble pursuit. Yes, the multi-ethnic church is the church of our past and our future! Likewise, the goal is not to become multi-ethnic simply for diversity’s sake. Rather, the goal of a healthy multi-ethnic church, once established, is to turn the power and pleasure of God, as displayed uniquely in such settings, outward in order to (1) bless the city, (2) lead people to Christ, (3) encourage the greater body, and (4) fulfill the Great Commission.

Excerpt from the book, Building a Healthy Multi-ethnic Church by Mark DeYmaz (Jossey-Bass/Leadership Network, 2007).

Building a Healthy Multi-ethnic Church

My new book from Jossey-Bass / Leadership Network is scheduled for release in October 2007. Building a Healthy Multi-ethnic Church presents the biblical (New Testament) mandate for the multi-ethnic church and the seven core commitments required to bring it about. In addition, three chapters are focused specifically on the practical application of these commitments and have been provided for those who are either planting a multi-ethnic church, revitalizing a dead or dying church or transforming a healthy but otherwise homogeneous church around the multi-ethnic vision. And each chapter features a personal story of life-change involving the people and the passion of Mosaic. This book was written to articulate the theology of the emerging Multi-ethnic Chruch Movement and to provide practitioners with the understanding they'll need to turn the vision into reality. Please join me in helping to create some pre-release momentum and, in time, let me know what you think.