Mark DeYmaz's Blog, page 4

Mosaix Global Network 2011 In Review

Dear Friends and Fellow Pioneers in the Movement,

First, let me wholeheartedly thank you for your personal and professional encouragement throughout the past twelve months! Indeed, your own investment locally and together with me via Mosaix continues to pay huge dividends in advancing our collective vision: namely, the establishment of multi-ethnic local churches for the sake of the Gospel in an increasingly diverse and cynical society.

With this in mind, and by way of review, here are the Top 10 Highlights of our collective efforts via Mosaix in 2011:

In January, with proceeds from our first National Conference in 2010, we launched two new websites: one public and one private (for members only). Our public website now provides a more credible presentation of who we are and why and in many ways frames the advancing movement. Our private website (with more than 114 members currently engaged) now provides real-time connection to like-minded ministry leaders, as well as greater opportunity for peer learning through open source resource/information sharing related to multi-ethnic local church growth and development.
Likewise in January, we purchased a weekly Internet radio show and throughout the year produced 36 episodes now available as podcasts on iTunes. Featuring Multi-ethnic Church Movement leaders such as Dr. Michael Emerson, Efrem Smith, Soong Chan Rah, Scott Williams, Dr. Paul Louis Metzger, Derwin Gray, Tommy "Urban D." Kyllonen, and a host of others, these shows not only provide insight but a historical glimpse into the movement halfway through the "Pioneer Stage." The shows can be accessed through the "Live Radio Show" link on our website.
In April, we helped to redefine the pre-conference strategy for the Exponential Conference by hosting the first Multi-ethnic Church Planting Conference @ Exponential. In doing so, we enlisted eleven speakers and four sponsors (Vineyard USA, Alpha USA, the Church Multiplication Network and Meet the Need) to provide some 15 hours of content to (as best we can tell) some 250 people. Due to the event's success, we have been asked by Exponential to host this event again in 2012, and we have agreed to do so.
In June, Mosaix self-published its first book entitled, Should Pastors Accept or Reject the Homogeneous Unit Principle? by Mark DeYmaz. This groundbreaking e-book challenges long-held, erroneous, assumptions concerning the Homogeneous Unit Principle. Far from bashing the it, however, the book shows how the principle more accurately and biblically applies to church planting, growth and development today. The book is available through our online store.
In September, we hosted a National Retreat in Chicago, IL, for members only and their invited guests. In all, 50 people from 20 states and 13 denominations attended! By all accounts, it was a very encouraging and constructive time of personal and organizational advance. As such, we plan to host a similar gathering again in 2012!
In November, and in direct response to a group challenge flowing out of the retreat, we empowered our first staff team comprised of four individuals who will begin assisting me in development of the work beginning in January 2012. Included in this team are Bobby Minor from Fort Worth, TX (Communications/Member Services), Robert Upton from Grand Rapids, MI (Conference Planning/Denominational Representative), Bob Sprinkle from Atlanta, GA (Coaching/Volunteer Leadership Coordinator) and Rick Harrison (Strategic Planning/CFO).
In December, we partnered with Leadership Network to launch a Learning Community specifically focused on multi-ethnic church development. This is the first one of its kind ever sponsored by Leadership Network. In all, some 30 individuals from 12 churches throughout the USA and even one from Canada participated. The group will gather three more times through June of 2013 in advance of future groups we expect to form and launch that year, as well. The validation of the movement as well as the commitment of staff and resources by Leadership Network represents another significant milestone in the life of the movement, one that together with Linda Stanley I have pursued for nearly four years.
All such things have led to an increasing number of requests from Denominations, Networks and local churches, alike, to represent Mosaix/the Multi-ethnic Church Movement throughout the country. In total, I represented our collective voice and cause at more than 20 events in 2011. To review the year in this regard, click the "Speaking" link on our website.
Through all such things we have also seen a surge in membership. Today, some 85 individuals and churches are official members of the network including people from Canada, England, Belgium and New Zealand! Given the coming efforts of our staff, we expect to add many more to membership in 2012! Membership packages and benefits are outlined on our website.
Finally, as if to validate our efforts to date and to cap off another great year of Movement growth and development, ChurchExecutive.com published an article in late December by Sam Rainer (also published by ChurchLeaders.com) entitled 10 (Unexpected) Church Trends to Surface by 2020. Number one on the list was the Heterogeneous (Multi-ethnic) Church Explodes! In part he writes, "The diverse church will explode in growth over the next ten years … Get on board with this trend not because it will grow your church, but rather because it was God's plan for his church from the beginning." Sounds like something many of us have been saying all along:-)

Next week, I will write to outline plans for further development of Mosaix and the Multi-ethnic Church Movement in 2012, and beyond. In the meantime, I trust you will join me in celebrating the accomplishments of our collective faith, courage and sacrifice in 2011, as outlined above, to the glory of God for the sake of the Gospel!

One in Christ with you,

M-

 

Join Me at The Nines!

The third annual NINES conference happens next Tuesday, September 27.  The NINES is a way for pastors and church leaders from across the world to meet together and learn from each other.  The conference is totally online (no need for travel!) and will feature 99 church leaders from all over the country.

Actually... the list of speaker is pretty impressive... people like Craig Groeschel, Mark Driscoll, Ed Stetzer, Matt Carter, Jenni Catron, Dave Ferguson, Larry Osborne, Rick McKinley, Miles Mcpherson, Jud Wilhite, Margaret Feinberg, Perry Noble ... and me, too:-)

I hope you'll join me at The NINES.  Registration is free ... but you have to let them know you're coming!  You can do so by doing a quick RSVP at http://thenines.tv.

I hope to see YOU at the NINES!

The Help: How Should the Church Respond?

Mosaic Church invites you to join us in further consideration of this powerful movie. Here's two great opportunities to do so ...

LISTEN

Blacks and Whites discuss the movie and its message through the grid of their own life experiences on The Multiethnic Church with Mark DeYmaz. Listen to or download the podcast here.

READ

Join the discussion facilitated by Carla Hendricks, wife of Pastor Anthony Hendricks, on her blog, Sojourner of Truth.

 

Clergy Banned from the 9/11 Memorial Dedication

Re. my concerns re. the banning of clergy from involvement at the 9/11 Memorial Dedication ceremony as chronicled in this article by Jaweed Kaleem posted today by the Huffington Post, a friend replied:

"Having its focus on victims & their families with time dedicated to personal prayer in one's own tradition seems very appropriate to me."

Here's my response ...

Perhaps; but to my knowledge at no other time in American history has the faith community been intentionally shut out of a national event of such magnitude or historic significance. Indeed, for government to mandate such a ban of the faith community at this time seems an ironic violation of the principle of separation of church and state. If they can ban the spiritual voice in this instance, in what other situations will they soon attempt to do so, as well?

Like it or not, this country was founded on Judeo/Christian principles. Nevertheless, I am in no way against the inclusion of other faith traditions, or the right of all faiths to freely worship, in the diverse fabric of the America we enjoy today. My problem is with the historic exclusion (dare I say censorship?) of the spiritual voice by government at this time which, in my view, should not be allowed in any way, shape or form.

My friend (who is a member of the clergy) next replied ...

"When I am invited to attend a commemoration, but not asked to speak, I am not offended. Nor do I choose to interpret the event as a rejection. Clergy have not been excluded. They simply have not been invited to speak.

It is worth noting that no one, NO ONE, has been invited to address the gathered. Names will be read, some of them by clergy. Readings selected ahead of time by planners will be shared. Again, this sounds entirely appropriate to me. I will pray for all those gathered to seek to dwell in unity as kin."

Then I concluded ...

Please understand, I am not talking about people (clergy) being offended, but precedent (in my view, a bad one) being set by the decision of government to ban clergy from this event (as you note, any and all clergy), i.e., from allowing them to do what they do best (and from a historical perspective, what they have always done); namely to offer prayers for hope and healing on behalf of the fallen, their families, and the nation. The decision to "invite" clergy simply to read names, etc., apart from allowing them to offer prayers to a power higher than ourselves is like inviting doctors to an accident scene and asking them only to fill out insurance forms, but not to practice medicine on those who have been injured. Having said this, it is not my intention to denigrate your thoughts or feelings on the matter; I do indeed thank you for your comments.

So, what say you?

Discover the D.Min @ Western Seminary

Download Western Discover DMin brochureB

Thinking about a way to renew your passion for ministry, stretch your mind, reinforce your convictions, and expand your vision? If so, we would like to invite you to consider a Doctor of Ministry degree, beginning with a sampler seminar this Fall. We bring in the best practitioners from around the nation to mentor you through intensive seminars, each aimed to build leadership, communication and preaching skills. This four day course is designed to introduce you to the program and discover if it is right for you.

    Day 1 - Dr. Mark DeYmaz (Ministry in a Multicutural Context)
    Day 2 - Dan Kimball (Leadership in an Emerging Culture)
    Day 3 - Dr. John Johnson (Building a Necessary Theology for Doing Pastoral Work)
    Day 4 - Dr. Randy Roberts (Spiritual Formation for the Battles Ahead)

Seminar Details

Dates: October 24-27, 2011

Location: Mount Hermon Retreat and Conference Center, Mount Hermon, CA. This is one of the premier Christian conference ministries, nestled in the Santa Cruz mountains east of San Jose, CA. An ideal place to rest and reflect!

Cost: Registration, individual room and meals - $594 (bring your spouse for only $124 more); registration, share a room and meals - $434

Registration: To register, email Chris Comp at Western Seminary before October 1st to register.

 

Should Pastors Accept or Reject the HUP?

What did Donald McGavran really teach and believe?

According to the latest research, 92.5% of churches in the United States are racially segregated.1 In fact churches today are ten times more segregated than the neighborhoods in which they sit, and twenty times more segregated than nearby public schools. Does this concern you?

Such evidence, then, confirms what simple human observation indicates: local churches in the United States are systemically segregated; or, to put it more bluntly, institutional racism has become a presumptive reality in the local church today—an unintended consequence of the widespread propagation of what is known as the Homogeneous Unit Principle (HUP). According to the principle's progenitor, Donald McGavran, the HUP recognizes that "[People] like to become Christians without crossing racial, linguistic or class barriers." But for decades, this principle has been promoted as something more: the modus operandi for those who would plant, grow or develop a successful church. The question we should ask, however, is this: Is the Homogeneous Unit Principle biblical?

So what are the unintended consequences of homogeneous churches? According to sociologist Michael Emerson, author of the book, Divided By Faith, homogeneous churches:

Reproduce inequality;
Encourage oppression;
Strengthen racial division, and
Heighten political separation.

Think not? Consider just one example to support these claims, that churches with a median income of more than $60,000 a year grew by 17.6% between 2000 and 2009 while churches with a median income of under $30,000 declined by 4.3%.

What may surprise you, however, is what Donald McGavran himself had to say about the HUP: "It is primarily a missionary and an evangelistic principle." And in an apparently prophetic admonition, McGavran also warned that with any misunderstanding or application of the HUP, "there is a danger that congregations…become exclusive, arrogant, and racist. That danger must be resolutely combated." Such quotes from within the context of his life and ministry clearly reveal McGavran's understanding of the HUP: what it is and what it is not. More importantly, McGavran's words reveal his expectation that a healthy local church will reflect God's heart for all people in ways that go beyond mere mission statements and the race and class distinctions of this world that so often and otherwise divide.

In my new highly innovative eBook, Should Pastors Accept or Reject the Homogeneous Unit Principle?, you will learn that the HUP was never intended by McGavran as a strategy for drawing more believers into church or for growing a church in the sense of how most are taught to think of it today. Rather, the HUP was originally mined and refined as "a strategy to reach unbelievers—a missionary principle" according to Donald McGavran, himself. Yet from its introduction in the United States, the HUP has played right into our natural, all-too-American, desire to become real big, real fast: and it works. In other words, to grow a big church, you simply target a specific people group: give them the music they want, the facilities they desire, in the neighborhoods where they live, and "they" will come…whoever "they" are

Undeniably, churches do grow fastest when they're homogeneous. Still the question remains: Is this God's will and best for the church?

My Prayer for the Arkansas State Senate

This afternoon, I offered the opening prayer at the start of the legislative session for the Arkansas State Senate at the Capitol. Several weeks ago I was asked to do so by Arkansas State Senator Joyce Elliot (D), a member of the Mosaic Church of Central Arkansas and current Majority Whip. It was an honor to be introduced by Senator Elliot as one who left a "cushy" job to establish a church for all people, in an impoverished area of the city of Little Rock, and as one not content to build bridges to the community, but to become the community; as one seeking to right the concern of Dr. Martin Luther King that eleven o'clock on Sunday morning is the most segrgeated hour of the week.

Here's, then, is what I prayed today for our state's leaders: 

"God in heaven, sovereign Lord and Spirit, Creator of all things, and of every nation, tribe, people and tongue upon the earth, we bless you this day.  

"On behalf of these chosen men and women of the senate, your servants and ours, I humbly request Your divine guidance and wisdom this day as they seek to lead the people of the Great State of Arkansas according to Your will, and the will of the people: toward prosperity and out of poverty; from sickness into health; from injustice, to justice; illiteracy to education; from homelessness to housing; from joblessness to employment; from racism to gracism; and from the life we know to a better one in and through which all people in this state are blessed.

"We thank you for your past favor upon our state, your present favor in the midst of hard times and pray that soon in the future, these conditions will end with the hope of full recovery and the promise of provision. As they serve, may they not so much look out for their own interests, but also for the interests of others; and like Solomon of old, discern wisely.

"With these things in mind, I pray 'The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.' Amen."

From the Midst of Suffering in Christchurch, NZ

                

Twice, in the past three years, I have traveled to Australia and New Zealand advancing the cause of the multi-ethnic church throughout the region. In fact, in 2008, I spoke at Christchurch Chinese Church, a vibrant multi-ethnic church in Christchurch and conducted a seminar at the Bible College of New Zealand (now called Laidlaw College). Then in 2009, I returned to Christchurch with Kiwis Max Palmer (Mosaix' representative in the country, 3rd from the left in picture above) and David Boyd (3rd from the right in picture above) to speak at the first Multi-ethnic Church Conference in New Zealand, sponsored by Mosaix.

New Zealand is a beautiful country with beautiful people from many nations living and working there, making it ripe for building healthy multi-ethnic churches for the sake of the Gospel. And pastors, my friends there, are doing just that ... which is why, for this reason and many more, I am asking you to join me in prayerful support of our multi-ethnic brothers and sisters in Christchurch at this time. They are now confronting a tragic loss of life and devestation. Just a day ago, Max Palmer, himself, told me that the 6.3 earthquake that rocked Christchurch is the "biggest natural, peacetime, disaster ever to hit the country." The people there are in shock, grieving the loss of life and sacred space (i.e., Christchurch Cathedral, an icon of the country).

As of this writing, I am working to connect via Skype with pastors from Christchurch tomorrow (Thursday, February 24) on my radio show, beginning at 1p Eastertn, 10a Pacific. Please tune in live to show your support and learn more from these multi-ethnic church pastors ministering on the ground in Christchurch.

Dr. Mark DeYmaz is the founding pastor of Mosaic Church in Little Rock and Executive Director of the Mosaix Global Network. A recognized leader in the multi-ethnic church movement, Mark is the author of two books: Building a Healthy Multi-ethnic Church, and Ethnic Blends: Mixing Diversity Into Your Local Church. He is a contributing editor for Leadership and also for Outreach Magazine in which his column, Ethnic Blends, appears in each issue.

Can You Say, Correlation?

Recently I was asked to comment on whether or not the American Church is prepared to reach the global village. My response? "We're not yet able, nor even willing, to reach diverse people living right here at home across the street!" It's sad, but true.

Consider just a few of the facts:

92.5% of churches in the United States are racially segregated; i.e., 80% or more of individual membership in these churches represents a single (homogenous) people group;1


Churches in the United States are ten times more segregated than the neighborhoods in which they are located and twenty times more segregated than the public schools in their neighborhood, as well;2


Between 1990 and 2007, church attendance in the United States increased by 446,540 people though the population in general increased by 56,819,471.3

Can you say, correlation?

Surely it breaks the heart of God that so many churches are segregated along ethnic and economic lines and that little has changed in the more than one hundred years since it was first observed that eleven o'clock on Sunday morning is the most segregated hour of the week. Christ-followers, particularly, should take note: for an increasingly diverse and cynical society will no longer find credible the message of God's love for all people when it's proclaimed from segregated pulpits and pews.

More than this, the segregation of the local church unintentionally perpetuates systemic racism in society according to the research of sociologists Michael Emerson and Christian Smith and painfully revealed in their groundbreaking book, Divided By Faith (Oxford University Press, 2001).

Why? Because, ultimately, racism is a spiritual problem. As such, it is best dealt with not by educators or legislators but by spiritual leaders serving in houses of faith through which diverse men and women can learn to walk, work and worship God together as one. Indeed, we can educate and legislate our way beyond the past; and well we should. But in the end, unless individual hearts are reconciled to an eternal God who loves all men and women equally, who considers them His own, there will be no authentic motivation to love those who are different than us; consequently, there will be no peace on earth or goodwill toward men.

________________

1From the research of sociologists Michael O. Emerson and Christian Smith originally published in the groundbreaking book, Divided By Faith. Oxford University Press, 2001.

2Ibid., the same study having been updated in 2007

3Dave T. Olson: The American Church in Crisis. Zondervan, 2008

Multi-what?

In a recent message to his congregation (the downtown campus of Willow Creek), pastor Jon Klinepeter addressed "The Future of Willow Creek," It caught my attention because of the following remarks:

" ... we will declare that this church is defined as a multi-cultural church. Not simply a multi-ethnic church where we want you to bring your ethnicity, but leave your culture at the door. We will not be a community that wants the color of your skin, but won't acknowledge the cultural realities that accompany that color."

Now, I certainly appreciate the heart and passion of this pastor, as well as the direction in which he is seeking to lead his community of Christ-centered faith. Nevertheless his words beg the question, "What term best describes the diverse churches we are seeking to establish in these days for the sake of the gospel?" 

Over the past ten years of planting, pastoring, writing and speaking about the growing movement toward what I call "multi-ethnic" churches, I have found this to be true: the terms we use are not as important as are the definitions. In other words, the issue is not so much trying to get everyone to agree on a single term as it is expecting everyone to clearly define the terms they use. More than that, we should speak with humility and avoid the presumption that our term is the "right" term for everyone, and will be understood as we intend it in every situation. 

For example when I use the term "multi-ethnic church," I mean exactly what Jon means when he speaks of his church as "multi-cultural church" - at Mosaic, we ask no one to check their culture at the door and practice the principle of accommodation (not assimilation) as I have written about on many occasions. In addition, my use of the term "multi-ethnic church" implies the intentional pursuit of economic diversity as well, as (again) I frequently make clear. Personally, I do not describe such churches as "multi-cultural" so as to avoid any confusion with the tenets of multiculturalism (the doctrine of religious or social tolerance, etc.) espoused on most college and universtity campuses today. Nor do I employ the term "multi-racial church;" for as a theologian, I recognize that there is only one race - the human race - comprised, as the Bible says, of many ethnicities (Gr. ethnos, ethne; see Acts 17:26).

On the other hand, my friends in Christ-centered, sociological circles typically use the term "multi-racial church" when addressing the subject in order to address perceptions and, more specifically, the historic division of Black and White in the United States. And in Canada the term "multi-cultural church" means exactly what it does for Pastor Jon whereas, in both instances, the term "multi-ethnic church" implies color in the pew but does not "acknowledge the cultural realities that accompany color." Still others will speak of a "transethnic church," or even an "ethnically-reflective church." Once the terms are defined, however, I have found that in almost every case the vision is the same. Like our churches, then, even our terminology is unified and diverse!

With such things in mind, let us continue to speak boldly and with clarity of local churches on earth that reflect the love of God for all people as it is in heaven. And let us speak with one mind, one spirit and one purpose ... even if one term does not adequately serve us all.