Successfully Building Multi-ethnic Church

'Successfully Building Multi-ethnic Church' was a day conference providing theological and practical input, based on doctoral research around local church where people of many ethnicities are genuinely engaged. Below are the main sessions delivered through the day.

There is a recognition that many churches are committed to becoming multi-ethnic but struggle in the process. This is not surprising, building multi -ethnic churches is a complex and challenging undertaking. The aim of the conference was to provide church leaders with theological and practical support based on recent doctoral research by some of the conference contributors. The conference drew together practitioners and academics, experienced in the field of multi-ethnic church. Contributors included Rosemarie Davidson-Gotobed, Wale Hudson-Roberts, Dr Usha Reifsnider, Dr Israel Olofinjana, Dr David Wise, Dr Arthur Brown, Sharon Shek and Sarah-Jane Nii-Adjei. 

Usha Reifsnider outlined a theology of multi-ethnic church drawing on her research into the experience of Guajarati Christians in the UK. David Wise presented some of the findings from his research into the transition from an all-White British to a genuinely multi-ethnic congregation that took place in Greenford Baptist Church in West London. His four main headings were; Thinking that Enabled Transition: De-Centring Whiteness, Attitudes that Enabled Transition: Hospitable and Vulnerable, Structures that Enabled Transition: Sundays and Training and Leadership that Enabled Transition: Learning and Serving. Israel Olofinjana, drawing on his research, presented some of the Intercultural Challenges within the African Diaspora. Arthur Brown talked about his experience of being involved in the establishment of a multi-ethnic church in Lebanon and Sharon Shek talked about the current experiences of some of those who have newly migrated to the UK from Hong Kong. 

There was very positive feedback from those who attended the conference. The main ‘criticism’ was that one day was too short to discuss these issues. So, planning for follow on conferences later this year is already under way with Birmingham and Yorkshire being likely locations. 

David Wise’s paper from the conference is available on request dwise@waverleyabbeycollege.ac.uk

 
Intercultural Congregations presentation by Dr David Wise

Intercultural Challenges within the African Diaspora by Dr Israel Olofinjana

A theology of multi-ethnic church by Dr Usha Reifsnider

Successfully Building Multi-ethnic Church - panel conversation with Sarah-Jane Nii-Adjei