Though many churches in the area have a tremendous testimony for being multi-cultural and deserve to be commended, I would like to take aim at the groups that I will call the "ethnic exclusive churches". Be they Korean, Spanish, Chinese, Indian, Russian, Greek, African, Armenian, and sometimes all white (Caucasian) or all black (African-American) congregations. They represent every denomination and flavor of Christianity out there. They are exclusive to the particular culture of their native homelands. It is my intention in this article to state that I DO NOT believe they have a scriptural right to exist!
Granted, many of them gather together (exclusively) for intensely practical reasons. They may not speak English or they may be new to the U.S. and need the support of their countrymen to get better acclimated here. Knowing human nature, I would guess that for the most part it is just more familiar and more comfortable. This would be fine if we are talking about some social club or civic cultural support group but we are dealing with the ekklesia of Jesus Christ here. I believe gathering as a local church in this ethnic exclusive way betrays God's intention to establish communities of The One New Man in cities all over our world.
The New Man is one aspect of the mystery of Christ or of God's eternal purpose that The Church is called to display. As the firstborn from the dead, Jesus Christ has established a new creation on our planet. Having been installed with His (zoe) uncreated life, we have received a new way of being human that was never before imagined. It is a new species, a new race, a new mankind if you will - a corporate organism. A distinguishing mark of this new humanity is its oneness. Oneness with its head Jesus Christ. Oneness with each other. Oneness of vision, purpose, and expression. All of the divisions, distinctions, and separations have been eradicated by the cross.
"For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity." (Eph. 2:14-16 NASB)
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male or female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:28 NASB)
"A renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or freeman, but Christ is all, and in all." (Col. 3:11 NASB)
Frank Viola writes, "The church is a new species. All earthly distinctions are annihilated and erased within her walls... Thus the church of the living God is a new social reality. It's a counter-cultural community that lives by a different set of instincts than do natural men and women." (God's Ultimate Passion; 2006 Present Testimony Ministry; pg. 251).
The Church as established by Jesus Christ is radically inclusive. The Lord is gathering His elect from the four winds of the Earth - those from every people, tribe, nation, and tongue - as many as He will call and as many as will respond. But we have been gathered to Christ to be reduced to Christ. To become one people. A people whose culture is none other than the person of Jesus - who is filling all things with Himself.
It is God's enemy that desired the divisions and distinctions but Christ has purchased a new humanity with His own shed blood. A new people who have oneness of spirit. It matters not now whether we are black, white, red, or yellow. Whether we are rich, middle class, or poor. Whether we are beautiful, plain, or ugly. Whether we are strong or weak. Whether we are smart or illiterate. Whether we are male or female. If we are in Christ then "from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh;" (2 Cor. 5:16). We are one in spirit with Christ and each other and have been knit together as the One New Man. The old creation has passed away and the new has come! The spiritual life is the true reality for us now. In our present time, with war and ethnic tension constantly abuzz in the media, it is important to understand the sobering truth that only Jesus Christ can unify humanity. Only He can destroy hostility in the heart. Only He can heal iniquity. Only He can provide justice. All attempts at reconciliation that do not include Christ as the source will ultimately disentegrate and dissapoint.
Our view of local church life must be conformed to the Lord's view. If our practice is not compatible with God's purpose and intention regarding the New Man, then we are in need of much adjustment aren't we? If our church expressions are actually reinforcing the enemy's divisive stronghold then how are we helping the Lord's testimony? It is in the very nature of The Church as the New Man to be a body that is diverse, multi-cultural, and full of variety, especially in the melting pot that is the United States. It is in the DNA! If the ekklesia is properly birthed, fed, and fully-functioning then she will display the unique evidence of being diverse and yet one in spirit. If we do not have this characteristic then we are something other than the church of Jesus Christ. We are man-made and cultural. We are exclusive and not inclusive. We are in effect, not spiritual! If this is our condition, regardless of our motives (which are usually pure), then the necessary changes demand our immediate attention. We should grieve the fact that we are in danger of misrepresenting the Lord.
I have actually carried the burden of this message for about ten years now. I pray that the Lord will be able to create opportunities for this message to be shared with these groups soon. I fully understand that implementing the changes that I am suggesting will not be convenient or comfortable. They will take great effort, courage, and faith. They will be met with obstacle and resistance. But, I am advocating the ethnic exclusive churches to disband and to then seek to join themselves with people who are making a stand for the inclusive nature of the One New Man. I know that this will take great sacrifice but isn't the Lord's desire and satisfaction worth it? Isn't the testimony of The Church worth it? The Lord is looking for such a people who will abandon themselves to His purpose, regardless of how uncommon it is. Will you be counted among them? May the Lord supply grace and faith to those who will have a fresh sighting of and who will take a stand for, the restoration of the One New Man in glorious visible expression. This will lead to nothing short of "the healing of the nations" (Rev. 22:2).
- Jon K. Slusser
Note: For practical help and advice on transitioning from an ethnic exclusive group to one that is inclusively standing for the One New Man in an organic church life expression, you can contact the author through this blog site or through info@amcrex.com.
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