'A practical resource for pastors developing an intercultural congregation'
A new book that aims to equip Baptist ministers to preach in an intercultural congregation has been published
Intercultural Preaching consists of a series of essays in which scholars and practitioners, ministers, and lay people, all of whom are preachers, share their insights on the joys and challenges of preaching in diverse contexts. It also includes sample sermons preached in multicultural contexts.
The book was edited by Anthony G. Reddie, Director of the Oxford Centre for Religion and Culture in Regent’s Park College, Seidel Abel Boanerges, Lecturer in Christian Mission and Theology at Spurgeon’s College, and Pamela Searle, minister of Sutton Baptist Church in London. It has been published by the Centre for Baptist Studies at Regent’s Park College, Oxford, while Dr Joel Edwards has contributed the foreword.
The idea came from Wale Hudson-Roberts, Justice Enabler of the Baptist Union of Great Britain five years ago.
‘This book would not have been developed were it not for his commitment and vision,’ wrote Anthony and Seidel at the book's outset. ‘Wale has long argued for the need for resources that will enable ministers serving culturally diverse congregations to preach more effectively to them; enabling them to engage more effectively with the people they serve.’
Pamela has authored the introductory chapter. ‘This book is intended to be a practical resource for those concerned with developing responsive, spirit-filled preaching that speaks to the increasingly diverse and culturally varied congregations across the UK,’ she explained.
‘We hope that the book has something for everyone and will inspire many of us to think about our preaching. What can we change? What needs to change? How is God challenging me to see God’s word and God’s people differently?’
The book’s contents are drawn from a series of Multicultural Preaching Listening Days organised by Baptists Together between 2017 and 2019. Hosted by Spurgeon’s College, Regent’s Park College and Northern Baptist College, with the support of the College of Preachers, the listening events discerned the support Baptist preachers need in order to enable them to preach in culturally diverse congregations. The chapters in the book are a development of the themes explored during these events.
Contributors include Dr Amutha Devaraj, minister at Ashurst Drive Baptist Church, London; Clare Hooper, the Children, Youth and Families Missional Developer for Southern Counties Baptist Association; Eleasah Phoenix Louis, a member of All Nations Baptist Church (Clapham Park) who is completing her PhD in Theology and Religious Studies at Canterbury Christ Church University; Richard Reddie, the Director of Justice and Inclusion for Churches Together in Britain and Ireland; Stephen Roe, minister at Walderslade Baptist Church; Dr Keir Shreeves, an Anglican priest and Diocesan Director of Ordinands in the Diocese of Chichester; and David Wise, a Baptist minister who served in churches in and around London for 37 years.
Baptist minister Israel Oluwole Olofinjana, Director of One People Commission, Evangelical Alliance, has recommended the book to 'any church and pastor who is wrestling with developing a multicultural congregation.’
‘Intercultural Preaching interrogates the art and science of preaching and how we exegete the biblical text,’ he said. ‘It critiques the traditional mode of interpreting and communicating the Gospel and offers us fresh and new perspectives that are very timely. Now that we have so many multicultural congregations dotted around the UK how should that affect our preaching/teaching? This book seeks to answer that question.’
The College of Preachers has organised a webinar on 4 May to explore intercultural preaching. More details can be found here, and book here (the password when prompted is Preach405)
Baptist Times, 21/04/2021