Multicultural Mission in a Non Church Attending Society
Multi-cultural mission in a non-church attending society
report
12th February 2011 St Matthias Church Centre
Hosted by Hope for the Nations
Introduction
Approximately 60 people representing many nationalities, networks, mission agencies and age groups gathered for a consultation addressing the issue of “Multi-cultural mission in a non-church attending society”
After the initial welcome Paul reminded everyone of the vision of Hope for the Nations which is to work together as different nationalities in order to reach the nations represented here in Leeds. A short extract from a DVD “Why Europe Why Now? was shown which highlighted the issues and the challenges we were about to discuss.
Each topic was then introduced:
Who are the least reached people groups in Leeds and how can we prioritise reaching out to them? Linda Harding
How can young people be inspired and mobilised in international mission in Leeds? Ben Jones
Are we as the church really coming to terms with international mission in Leeds?
Paul Lancaster
Everyone was divided into groups and after half an hour moved to the next topic so there was an opportunity to engage with each subject. Please find outlined below a collation of the discussions in each of the areas. Each topic covers issues, challenges and outcomes.
“Who are the least reached people groups in Leeds and how can we prioritise reaching out to them?”
Discussion led by Linda Harding (International Director of Kairos)
Issues and challenges
- In general there seemed to be a lack of awareness of least reached people groups in the city and not many were looking to work intentionally with them
- One of the groups identified some of the LRP’s, including Mirpuris, Sylhetis Somalis, Bangladeshi, white working class and post-modern youth. A question was raised as to how we can reconcile focus on LRP from overseas and post- Christian Europeans.
- 2 courses were mentioned which equip people for this kind of work Kairos and Crossing Cultures. Both these courses help apply the lessons of “frontier missions” to work in a city such as Leeds
- Barriers to reaching such groups were identified in terms of language culture, geography( how to engage if they are living in a different part of Leeds to where we live) and being able to reach women
- Some of these people have to pay a big price to convert to the Christian faith
- Our churches may not be culturally accessible
Outcomes
- The need for people to network together who have a passion or similar interest in reaching particular people groups. In the world mission scene organisations have had to work together with resources –now the same is needed here.
- Inter- church prayer groups with specific focus together with prayer walking identifiable areas.
- Encouragement for people to adopt a LRP
- Many people are alongside LRP’s in their work and everyday life but need equipping, empowering and encouragement to know how to be a blessing to them. Recognising that those in this position are frontline. Kairos and Crossing Cultures courses are ideal for this.
- Encouragement to get involved in teaching English. There is still a great need for women to get alongside women in their homes.
- Identifying and supporting those who are the best people to reach LRP’s
e.g. those from similar cultural background
- It was recognised that this is too big a challenge for any one church so there is a need for church leaders to have a vision for this in order to encourage people from different congregations to work together collaboratively.
- COSI ( Collaboration of Strategic Initiative) was presented as one possible framework that could be helpful.
- To understand Ummah(An Arabic term)-the concept of community
- To not be afraid to enter into their community life
- Learn Arabic or Asian language-even using a little can have an impact showing you care for them.
- It is important to meet the material needs alongside the sharing of the gospel
- Do the small things showing love for your neighbour
- To be available but know your limits
“How can young people be inspired and mobilised in international mission in Leeds ?”
Discussion led by Ben Jones (Leeds Youth Cell Network)
Issues and challenges
- There was some discussion about existing activities amongst young people
e.g .Joint youth initiative in Armley, Youth Alpha, choir, dance groups, homework clubs, football, concerts
Doug (YWAM) spoke about art based projects, graffiti club, video production, pinhole photography, hip-hop, dance etc youth leadership training
The work of Friends International (Rhian) was outlined –a ministry amongst
International students- Global Café, small groups working with local
churches.
Youth Cell Network- Worship, Word, Witness being key components in
each cell and the vision for Christ –centred youth work within walking
distance of their home
- The biggest challenge seemed to be how these activities can become more cross-cultural in their reach.
- Other issues mentioned were fear of failure in working multi-culturally,
the fear of being rejected by different ethnicities, a lack of order, challenge of peer mentoring. Is all this going to produce a lot more work?
Outcomes
- The need to draw young people into the decision making process
- The need for more vibrant youth leaders
- To encourage young people in schools to reach out to others cross-culturally
- Encouraging small local groups of young people to work together more.
- Networking with other churches and events
- The importance of the Hope 11 initiative this summer was emphasised as a great opportunity to work together cross-culturally and to see more cross cultural cells emerge. The Youth event is called “ The Hub which will be a fun-filled, five day residential for young people aged 14-21years. A chance for young people to put their faith into action, be equipped, discipled and sent out to mission centres.”
Are we as the church really coming to terms with international mission in Leeds?
Discussion led by Paul Lancaster ( Hope for the Nations)
Issues and challenges
- Over 94% of population not attending church at all- most who do attend are over the age of 50 and in the south of Leeds over 50% who attend church are of African origin
- Are we spending too much time maintaining our structures and meetings? Do we continue to focus on church as it is or do we go wider in mission?
- Multi-cultural churches are experiencing some growth –mono cultural not seeing same growth.
- Africans are wanting to integrate more with whites in mission but this proves to be difficult so find themselves just working within their own culture.
- The challenge” to get off our high horses” and accept each other.
- Should we be reaching out to different cultures in order to invite them in to our congregations or should we be thinking more about just reaching them where they are and looking at new shapes of “church”?
- WEC beginning to feel the challenge of the church’s task here in multi-cultural mission rather than just concentrating overseas.
Outcomes
- To find ways of praying alongside particular mission strategies
- There should be no cultural restrictions in working together as long as we keep to common ground in mission
- There is a need for a holistic approach in mission not just monochrome
- There is a need for a variety of approaches using multi-cultural resources
- The need to develop flexible, small missional groups
- A wider geographic focus is needed- not just around the city centre e.g Arab population in North Leeds area.
- To support those whose work gives them a lot of mission opportunity
- To find ways of working together more inter-dependently outside existing church structures and not let denominational allegiance get in the way
- The importance of focus on particular geographies as well as being able to use the wider multi-cultural resources within Leeds
- The need to adapt our church culture to a more thorough going mission culture
Conclusion
Many people commented on how useful the day had been and how important it was to keep engaging with the issues that were discussed. There was an enthusiasm and a real willingness to consider new ways in order to meet the challenge of multi-cultural mission in Leeds.
The time together helped to raise an awareness of issues such as least reached people groups, youth and student outreach. These three aspects in particular made people consider how they can work together outside the “church constructs”
The issue of working together in local areas as well as being able to tap into multi-cultural resources from across the city was appreciated. The outcomes need to be thought about and worked through in different contexts but there was clarity about how we can move forward together. Obviously this cannot be centrally organised but Hope for the Nations could be a reference point and a resource in helping in the process. The Kairos course and “Crossing Cultures” course are excellent tools for equipping people in cross-cultural mission and it has been encouraging to see many nationalities from within Leeds doing the course.
Prayer was seen to be key to all mission activity and that this needs to be encouraged
a lot more especially in the various mission contexts
A group of us will meet together to reflect on the issues and outcomes raised and to suggest further ways forward. If you feel there has been anything significant missed out of this report –please let us know.
Finally a huge thank you to all who came but especially those who helped in any way – Linda and Ben for leading the discussions, Rhoda, Jean and Jackie for recording the discussions, Peter for handling the technical aspects of the day, the worship team from Living Hope and Meeting Point who catered for us.
Paul Lancaster (On behalf of the planning team)
