More on multi-racial churches

I noted earlier a set of principles that had been outlined for healthy multi-cultural churches. Here’s a different set — which has some similarities — but I appreciate the more explicit attention to racism in this list:

7 principles for success

• 1. An institutional commitment to racial equity, clearly stated, such as in a mission or vision statement.
• 2. Leaders who are personally deeply committed to racial equity.
• 3. A common purpose that supersedes racial equity. (Often, as in Wilcrest Baptist's case, multiracial worship is a means toward the larger end of living out a common faith.)
• 4. Structures to foster racial equity within the church, "to ensure that outsiders feel like insiders."
• 5. Internal forums and classes about race issues.
• 6. Willingness to make adjustments. Dr. Emerson uses the metaphor of a disc jockey for a party, saying some top leader must "constantly adjust the volume, bass level, and treble level" to make the church work for a diverse membership.
• 7. Recognize that people are at different places on race issues and help them move forward one step at a time.</blockquote>