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Publication Date
6-1-2019
Abstract
Multiethnic ministry in the North American context is often a binary issue between black and white congregations. In the parlance of Asian-American multiethnic ecclesiology, Filipino-American ministry is hardly mentioned. This study is about this lacuna and uses Charisma Life Church, a Filipino-American congregation as a case study of multiethnic ministry. An existential crisis has occurred the last two years as it is losing its members, but also an opportunity has opened, as new attendees are coming from different ethnicities.
The senior pastor, staff and core leaders have all approved that the church needs to transition to become a multiethnic church. The transition is in its earlier phase and responses have been wide-ranging from reluctance, eagerness, and to some sheer unfamiliarity of the direction it is pursuing. Research on Filipino-American churches becoming multi-ethnic churches is nonexistent. In lieu of this, a comparative approach with other races, cultures and ethnicities that went through this transition were used in order to achieve the purpose of establishing a multiethnic congregation. This research hopes to produce a training course for the church leaders teaching them the process of transitioning to a multiethnic church through sociology, theology, ecclesiology and qualitative survey.
The paper will cover three important sections. The first part is assessing the ministry context of the church from its historical, cultural, and social setting and how this is connected to the church’s hesitancy towards transition. The second part of the paper covers theological reflection from scriptures and literary sources that are engaged in transitioning towards multi-ethnic churches. A distinctive literature review is focused on research from other multiethnic churches, leaders, and research engaging in this specific area of ministry. The last part of the paper provides theological, practical steps and principles which are designed to equip leaders towards this ecclesiastical shift.
Degree Name
Doctor of Ministry (DMin)
First Advisor
Lee, Cindy S.
Document Type
Project
Language
English
Keywords
Filipino, Filipino-American, Multiethnic Church, Immigrant Church, Charisma Life Church, Church and minorities, Ethnicity
Disciplines
Asian American Studies | Ethnic Studies | Practical Theology
Upload File
wf_yes
Date Uploaded
11-27-2019
Collection Number
DMin125
File Name
DMin125-0400
Rights
Material is subject to copyright.
Recommended Citation
Dionson, Alan, "Charisma Life Church: An Integrative Approach Towards Being a Multiethnic Church" (2019). Doctor of Ministry Projects. 395.
https://digitalcommons.fuller.edu/dmin/395
Embargo Period
11-27-2019
Comments
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