Discipleship in a Multicultural Society (audio)

Scripture tells us to go to all nations, yet the church often struggles at the intersection of different cultures. From the center city to the suburbs, cities in North America are increasingly multicultural. While international migration is transforming neighborhoods, individuals are now connected to the larger global world at the push of a button, and shifts in religious belonging are having a profound impact on outreach of the local church.

Hosted by Jared Looney, this pathway took place in ACU’s Onstead-Packer Biblical Studies Building on Tuesday, September 17, 2019.

Sessions

Crossing Cultures by Crossing the Street (Jared Looney)

Most major cities in North America are undergoing enormous demographic changes, both through an influx of international migrants and through shifting perspectives on religion and spirituality. This session addresses the major trends impacting ministry and discusses strategic questions to ask in order to better reach our cities.

Ministering Cross-Culturally to a Primarily Anglo Congregation (Emmanuel Dominguez)

Many churches that have existed as predominantly homogenous congregations are in the process of trying to diversify their ministry staff. This session addresses the various learning and skills required to successfully navigate this transition, and provides insights into how churches can prepare and care for hires from outside their dominant culture

Discipleship in a Post-Everything Culture (Seth Bouchelle)

Post-Christendom, Post-Modernism, Post-Colonialism. How are these forces manifesting themselves in ministry and what are some principles to help churches respond? This session discusses various skills and lessons learned for effective ministry during a time of societal change.

Mobilizing Churches for Ministry in a Multicultural City (Jared Looney and Seth Bouchelle)

What are viable action steps leaders might take to begin a strategic discernment and outreach with their own congregations? This session offers methods for “stepping-out” toward new ministries for equipping and sending church members as disciple-makers in their cities.

Reflections on Discipleship in a Multicultural Society (Jared Looney, Seth Bouchelle and Emmanuel Dominguez)

A panel discusses practical challenges and opportunities for nurturing discipleship in a multicultural society. Includes a Q&A with the audience. This session was not recorded.

Speakers

SETH BOUCHELLE

Seth Bouchelle graduated from Abilene Christian University in 2013, where he completed degrees in mission studies and biblical text. He is now completing a graduate degree in Christian spirituality from Fordham University in NYC. Seth has been serving as a missionary catalyst with Global City Mission Initiative in NYC since 2014, focusing primarily on multiethnic, secular, and “post-Christian” communities in Manhattan and the Bronx. He serves as NYC team leader and is heavily involved in training churches, missionaries, and others in initiating spiritual conversations. Seth hosts the Global City Mission podcast and is the co-author of Mosaic: A Ministry Handbook for a Globalizing World.

EMMANUEL DOMINGUEZ

Emmanuel Dominguez surrendered his life to Jesus Christ as a 13-year-old in Manhattan. He has been involved in ministry and youth leadership since he was 14. As a freshman in high school, he started a youth group that would gather every Wednesday night in his mother’s living room, which eventually grew to 50+ people on a consistent basis. Emmanuel is the co-founder of a dance company in New York City called Brave Movement. This company exists to create a quality dance experience that promotes authentic community, self-expression, and intentional living. Emmanuel currently serves as a youth minister with The Hills Church in Dallas-Ft. Worth.

JARED LOONEY

Jared Looney grew up in the Rio Grande Valley. He attended Abilene Christian University from 1991 to 1996, completing an undergraduate degree in missions. While serving in a multiethnic community with Impact Houston Church of Christ, Jared completed a graduate degree in theological studies with Houston Graduate School of Theology. He later completed a Doctor of Missiology from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2010. He served as an urban missionary in The Bronx (New York City) for 15 years and is the founding director of Global City Mission Initiative. He is the author of Crossroads of the Nations: Diaspora, Globalization, & Evangelism, named a top 15 mission studies text of 2015, and co-author of Mosaic: A Ministry Handbook for a Globalizing World. Jared also teaches as an adjunct professor and is often called upon to address global trends facing the church and missions issues. He currently lives in Tampa, Florida, with his wife and daughter.