Exploring Cross-Racial and Cross-Cultural Ministry Workshops
Join the 2021 GNJ Cross-Racial Cross-Cultural Workshop on July 24th for insightful sessions led by Rev. Enger Muteteke and Rev. Juel Nelson. Learn about respectful communication, CRCC appointments, and racial diversity in religious groups in the US. Discover how the UMC compares to the US population in terms of diversity. Engage in breakout sessions and explore the significance of cultural diversity in ministry.
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2021 GNJ Cross-Racial Cross-Cultural Workshop Saturday, July 24, 2021 9 AM 1 PM
Welcome Rev. Enger Muteteke, GNJ Resourcing Director
Respectful Guidelines for Communication R R take Responsibility for what you say and feel without blaming others E E use Empathetic listening S S be Sensitive to differences in communication/cultural styles P P Ponder what you hear and feel before you speak E E Examine your own assumptions and perceptions C C keep Confidentiality T T Tolerate ambiguity because we are not here to debate
Introductions In Breakout groups: Introduce yourself and share your favorite food.
CRCC Ministry Rev. Juel Nelson, GNJ Director of Leadership Development
What are Cross-Racial/Cross-Cultural Appointments? Book of Discipline 2012 para. 425.4 CRCC appointments are made as a creative response to increasing racial and ethnic diversity in the church and its leadership. CRCC appointments are appointments of clergypersons to congregations in which the majority of their constituencies are different from the clergyperson s own racial/ethnic and cultural background. Journey of Hope Legislation Continue to train clergy and congregational leaders for cross racial and cultural appointments
Racially Diverse Religious Groups in the US Adult Population -Pew Research 2014, https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/07/27/the-most-and-least-racially-diverse-u-s- religious-groups/ Most Diverse Least Diverse Seventh-day Adventists Muslim Jehovah Witness Buddhist Catholic Assembles of God Church of God Christ of Christ American Baptist USA Jewish Episcopal Hindu The United Methodist Church African Methodist Episcopal Church Lutherans National Baptist Convention
US Adult Population Vs The UMC US Population The United Methodist Church White - 66% Asian - 4% Latino - 15% Other - 4% Black - 12% White - 94% Other - 6%
Membership In the UMC The United Methodist Church Greater New Jersey White - 94% Other - 6% Asian - 9% Black - 9% Latino - 2% Native Ameircan < 1% Pacific Islander < 1% White - 78% Mulitracial - 1%
Ministry in Snap Shot In the state of New Jersey, nearly 45% of the population, 8.9 million residents, are people of color. Therefore, most congregations engaged in mission and ministry in communities where there is some racial diversity represented. (Agudosi, 2021)
Culture the customs, arts, social institutions, and achievements of a particular nation, people, or other social group. the attitudes and behavior characteristic of a particular social group.
Congregational Culture Language: Use of Father God / Inclusive language for God ie. Lord, Mother, Father, Creator, Parent Customs: Back to School Sunday, Community Vacation Bible School, Pastor Appreciation Sunday Rituals: Yearly Women s Retreat, Confirmation Celebration Behaviors: Confrontational / Non- confrontational, Committees members work collaboratively or independently, Food: Importance of Fellowship Hour, Roast Beef Dinner, Mission Food Collection, Potlucks
Appointments GNJ has 125 cross racial-cross cultural appointments. This is roughly 23% of its churches In 2021, roughly 68 appointments 25%, or 18 appointments were CRCC appointments. These appointments occurred in each region of GNJ and included pastors from various backgrounds.
A CRCC Appointment Breakout group discussion questions: 1. What word resonates with you from this passage? 2. What does this say about a CRCC ministry?
A CRCC Appointment Genesis 12:1-5 The LORD had said to Abram, Go from your country, your people and your father s household to the land I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
A CRCC Appointment Genesis 12:1-5 4So Abram went, as the LORD had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. 5He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Harran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.
A CRCC Appointment Breakout group discussion questions: 1. What word resonates with you from this passage? 2. What does this say about a CRCC ministry?
Panel Testimonies Rev. Dr. Tiffany Murphy, Pastor at Zion UMC in Clarksboro Rev. Stephen Yun, Pastor at Succasunna UMC Rev. Enger Muteteke, GNJ Resourcing Director
Breakout Group Discussion Question What are your 2 takeaways from the panel testimonies given?
Learning from Stranger: A GCORR Resource Christ the Stranger The Stranger as Teacher It Takes a Stranger Christians as Strangers to Each Other
Learning from Stranger: A GCORR Resource Race: a social category that was invented in the 17th century as justification for colonial capitalism and slavery (p. 6) Culture: a learned set of beliefs, practices, values, and norms that emerge from the material, loved experience of groups of people and their ancestors (p. 6)
Learning from Stranger: A GCORR Resource Differing skin color doesn t always mean that a cross-cultural appointment exists; cross-cultural and cross-racial don t mean the same thing. (p. 6-7) Any appointment is potentially cross- cultural because of the many differences between groups and people, even of the same race (p. 7).
Joys & Rewards of CRCC Ministries Congregations could be exposed to new experiences of God. Congregations could become more relevant in their neighborhood, reaching new people. Clergy persons could be stretched to learn new skills. Old prejudices & institutional segregations could be challenged. Congregation could become more energized and creative. (p. 9)
The Cost of Discipleship: Challenges of CRCC Ministry Some members of congregation or systems are either subtly or overtly racist. Power sharing vs. Top-down authority The conference or district doesn t seem to understand the particular issues and needs related to CRCC ministry or to my own ethnicity. Loneliness and isolation experienced by clergy Some people complain that they cannot understand my sermons because of my accent. (p. 11)
Other Motivations for Resistance to CRCC Ministry Fear of the unknown Nostalgia for the past Loss of identity Expectations based on stereotypes Fear of economic insecurity Belief that Black is bad (p. 15-16)
Ministering in the midst of Racism Summary advice of two pastors in CRCC appointments when confronted with racism and xenophobia: Patience Non-judgmentalism Tolerance Teaching (p. 19-20) **The above is not justthe pastor s role. It is also the role and responsibility of laity as disciples of Jesus.
Counsel for Laity Ministry of a Christian congregation is the ministry of the congregation not merely of its pastor. (p. 35) A Shared Responsibility Facilitator of building relationships (SPRC) Interpreting/Naming social norms and unspoken expectations of congregation Being authentic and sharing the burden of change
Counsel for Laity But relationships are never one-sided, so the burden of change should not be the responsibility of one person alone. Both the burden and the privilege of learning and adjusting should be shared. Recall the scripture discussed in chapter 1: it is through meeting the stranger, and being shown new and different aspects of God, that spiritual growth occurs. (p. 40)
Final Counsel for Laity Take the new pastor around to small groups, so that they can get to know everyone, right from the beginning. And learn about your new pastor and their experiences. Be a facilitator of relationships. (p. 36) Encourage others to see your pastor as another child of God whose life experiences and pastoral training will benefit you. (p. 36) Role of pastor AND church leaders: LISTEN to the church, DISCERN what God is doing, then CLEAR the path to MOVE in God s direction!
Final Breakout Group Discussion Question What struck you the most from the Learning From Stranger resource?
Wrap-Up and Next Steps List of resources for CRCC ministry will be available on the registration page on GNJ website Breakthrough sermon series ( I See You )
Closing Prayer Transforming God, open our eyes to see the hurts and needs of those around us. Our faith does not remove us from pain and suffering but propels us into the pain and suffering of others that together we might encounter the depth of your healing presence. Give us the eyes to truly see all the people we are called to reach. Amen. From How to have a Courageous Conversation: Racism, umcdiscipleship.org
2021 GNJ Cross-Racial Cross-Cultural Workshop
