Many Colors Cultural Intelligence for a Changing Church

by Rah, Soong-Chan

• ISBN13: 9780802450487
• ISBN10: 0802450482
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-09-01
• Publisher: Moody Publishers

Summary

The United States is currently undergoing the most rapid demographic shift in its history. By 2050, white Americans will no longer comprise a majority of the population. Instead, they'll be the largest minority group in a country made up entirely of minorities, followed by Hispanic Americans, African Americans, and Asian Americans. Past shifts in America's demographics always reshaped the county's religious landscape. This shift will be no different.Soong-Chan Rah's book is intended to equip evangelicals for ministry and outreach in our changing nation. Borrowing from the business concept of "cultural intelligence," he explores how God's people can become more multiculturally adept. From discussions about cultural and racial histories, to reviews of case-study churches and Christian groups that are succeeding in bridging ethnic divides, Rah provides a practical and hopeful guidebook for Christians wanting to minister more effectively in diverse settings. Without guilt trips or browbeating, the book will spur individuals, churches, and parachurch ministries toward more effectively bearing witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Good News for people of every racial and cultural background. Its message is positive; its potential impact, transformative.

Author Biography

SOONG-CHAN RAH is Milton B. Engebretson Associate Professor of Church Growth and Evangelism at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL. He is the author of The Next Evangelicalism (IVP Books, 2009). Prior to coming to North Park, Soong-Chan was the founding and senior pastor of Cambridge Community Fellowship Church, a multi-ethnic, urban church in Cambridge, MA. Soong-Chan has a B.A. from Columbia University, a M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a Th.M. from Harvard University, and a D.Min. from Gordon-Conwell. Soong-Chan serves on the boards of Sojourners, the Christian Community Development Association, World Vision, and the Catalyst Leadership Center. He lives in Chicago with his wife Sue, a special educator and his two children, Annah and Elijah.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 9
Understanding Culture
What Is Culture?	p. 19
Understanding Our History	p. 41
Church and Culture	p. 61
A Constructive Cultural Paradigm
A Multicultural Worldview	p. 83
Enhanced Connections	p. 101
Power Dynamics	p. 113
Cultural Intelligence in Action
Tell Me a Story	p. 129
Journeying Together: You've Got to Be There	p. 147
Embracing the Other: Facets of True Hospitality	p. 165
The Challenge of Systems Thinking and Organizational Change	p. 183
A Final Word of Encouragement	p. 195
Notes	p. 199
Acknowledgments	p. 205
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