What Color Is Your God?: Multi Cultural Education in the Church

Rating:
Summary: a brief overview...
Review: A breif overview of how different ethnic groups approcah the Church and it's activities, but mostly focused on logistical concerns and not on worship style, faith, male vs. female perspectives, etc. within the different churches (ethnic groups). However, goo dfor group discussion.

Rating:
Summary: Great Ministry Tool for 21st Century
Review: I bought a copy of this book used a few years back. It was perhaps the best book I ever found in a discount bin.
I work in cross-cultural ministry, mostly with Asian Americans. This book was very helpful to me in the work that I do. It covers most of the races that are currenly in America and covers the strengths and faults that are in each of them. This book also tells what must be done to present the gospel to each of them without changing their ethnic culture. I think this feature of the book is excellent because far too often white America thinks that when minority races get saved, they must adopt "White Values." Not true! Each ethnic group in the world that has Christians celebrate Jesus in a way that is unique to their own culture. When we evangelize other groups outside of our own culture, when should remember this.
I'd call this book a must for all pastors, evangelists, and other Christian leaders of all levels in America.

Rating:
Summary: Great Ministry Tool for 21st Century
Review: I bought a copy of this book used a few years back. It was perhaps the best book I ever found in a discount bin.
I work in cross-cultural ministry, mostly with Asian Americans. This book was very helpful to me in the work that I do. It covers most of the races that are currenly in America and covers the strengths and faults that are in each of them. This book also tells what must be done to present the gospel to each of them without changing their ethnic culture. I think this feature of the book is excellent because far too often white America thinks that when minority races get saved, they must adopt "White Values." Not true! Each ethnic group in the world that has Christians celebrate Jesus in a way that is unique to their own culture. When we evangelize other groups outside of our own culture, when should remember this.
I'd call this book a must for all pastors, evangelists, and other Christian leaders of all levels in America.

Rating:
Summary: Valuable Material, But Not Leisurely Reading.
Review: James & Lillian Breckenridge attempt to enlighten believers on the task of taking the Gospel to the "melting pot" (A term that the authors would probably eschew) of humanity we define as "cultures" while putting our own cultural expectations in perspective. Though "culture" can be defined in many different ways, the Breckenridges not only merely shed light on communicating Biblical truth, but rather "spot light" the people the message is to be taken to. The objective being to widen our understanding and sensitivity.

To their credit, they manage to bring a myriad of social science terminology giving the reader/non-expert a firm handle on how to make use of their expertise as to obey the commission of the Lord Jesus Christ of preaching the Gospel to the ends of a diversified world.

If you're like me, the social sciences can come across as abstract because of the blizzard of jargon used by experts. Seriously, none of us pragmatically apply, relate or communicate to people generally in scientific terms so this material like this can understandly have a scholarly feel. Unless your either trained in or you have an interest in these disciplines, parts of the book may read more like text book material. However, taking the time to understand what the Breckenridges' are communicating offer a foundation of importance in grasping their concepts which unfold and build as you progress.

As a side note, two of the more important questions asked by the authors is "How do we arrive at our own self-understanding as Christians?" and "How do we interface with the culture of those who come from different worlds?" In practical terms, these questions address that there is an Anglo perspective of church in general, but it ISN'T the only perspective. Ultimately it is incumbent on us as believers to be listerners in addition to being proclaimers.

Though there the face of America is multi-cultural, the book specifically features Hispanic-Americans, African-Americans, Native-Americans and Asian-American. The authors offer a clear definition of how these groups are "defined" in the context of the material. The groups are magnified to examine and understand social characteristics; from background to dynamics but putting a "general" focus on people in a sensitive manner.

I use the term "general" with much trepidation because you simply can't generalize a group or people for that matter. Case in point, "studies" (however you want to define scientific research) can show tendencies of a given group lets say in the area of "education" as a whole, but there are sure to be exceptions because of personality differences. Rather than accusing this book of furthering the distaste for the "politically correct" mentality or trite sensitivity, I say upfront that this isn't what this material is about or intended to do. Sensitivity is very much a part of what this book represents but this isn't written in an idealistic manner where you're encouraged to be all things to everyone (which is impossible), but to be understanding of the people we take the salvation message to and still be within your personality.

Though the Gospel is the theme of our proclaimation, the Brekenridges offer the purpose, reason and method of coming to terms with a multicultural society. Making the Gospel the message unto itself, and not to be molded solely from the Anglo prespective. As mentioned in the book and perhaps depending on the person, faith (theological knowledge and trust through relationship) in the correct Biblical perspective governs our reason (how we as believer's function in our world day to day) but in addition to theological knowledge, having an understanding of where people are at or where they come from, can help us communicate the Good News effectively and personably.

A quick review through the Gospels demonstrates that Christ Himself being very personable. He was always interested where people were "at" so to speak AND where they came from. Ultimately, those factors shaped their circumstances and "made" them who they were when they met Christ. Christ said things that spoke into their very circumstances, demonstrating the importance of reaching the person, in fact Jesus didn't babble the same scripted lines from one person to the next. Today as well meaning as we may be, it can be easy to get focused on the "American-way-of-life Church Checklist" and have higher regard for the system and not the people. Please, don't misread. We need a structered system of some kind, I understand that, but there is a underlying theme of balance not directly stated in the book. The clay is to be molded, but God DIRECTS the molding, not us per se although we have a hand in it as His church.

One brief thing comment about the book. If a revision is ever in the works, lightening the terminology and overall mood would be good. A better part of the book can sound like a text book, but given the subject that's probably inevitable. Unfortunately, as valid and valuable as the material is, this isn't necessarily a compliment.

I don't doubt that most of you can understand the information, but this material would be a benefit to anyone and I fear that the reading style would discourage many from maintaining interest. This objective of this material is too valuable