A Special Message for First Time Visitors
Developing the next generation of multiethnic worshipers is the mission of Redemption Boulevard, Inc.
eBook
Stepping into multicultural worship is an overwhelming process, especially when you first get started. I know that’s how I felt. But, don’t feel like you have to do it on your own. I leaned on the help of many multicultural worship leaders as I began my journey and I still do.
My eBook, Experiencing Multicultural Worship, was written to help you explore specific ideas as you plant a multiethnic church or are transitioning into one.
The lessons I’ve learned through years of trial and error are all in this book. You’ll also get advice and insight from several experienced multicultural worship leaders. Grab your copy today.
The purpose of the blog posts you read here is to help encourage you to talk about many of the issues/challenges you’ll face on your journey. Nobody claims to be an expert about multicultural worship/church, and that’s why it’s so important to lean on one another.
I encourage you to share your insights and wisdom by commenting on our blog posts or emailing me directly at peterpark@redemptionboulevard.com
Original music in multiple languages:
As the global worship movement continues to grow the need for new songs is great, especially songs that relate well to many cultures.
Redemption Boulevard, Inc is honored to bring you original music that’s been translated into multiple languages. Not only will you be able to purchase our song project online, but you’ll also be able to find lyrics/phonetics on our website for FREE by clicking on the following link: Lyrics/Music.
Join our group on Facebook for more in-depth discussions, updates, events, and more:
Redemption Boulevard, Inc.
Proskuneo Multicultural Worship Conference 2010. Register Today!
And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.”
Revelation 5:9,10
Proskuneo Ministries invites Worshippers, Worship leaders, Worship artists, Pastors of multicultural churches & anyone interested in multicultural worship to our 2010 Proskuneo Multicultural Worship Conference “One Kingdom”, February 19-20, at Clarkston International Bible Church, Clarkston, GA – USA.
We hope to glorify GOD and promote unity in the Body of Christ through plenary sessions for multicultural multi-lingual worship, worship resources at the bookstore, connecting people with people, training in worship-related topics in small group (hands-on) breakout sessions, worship art gallery, and much more.
Here are some responses from our last Proskuneo Ministries conference attendees:
“I was so encouraged to run the race GOD has for me to run and to encourage others to run the race God has for them (and not the one I think they should run)”
CHECK OUT Proskuneo Multicultural Worship Conference www.pmwc.info TO REGISTER TODAY!
“This has met a need for multicultural worship resources and experience.”
“It was amazing to see different types of people here. It touched my heart to see people from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the US all in the same small space worshipping together. I know GOD looked upon us and smiled.”
If you have any questions, email Proskuneo Ministries at info@proskuneo.info or call 941.539.1175.
Will I ever be authentic enough?
Last night I saw a documentary called Blacking up: Hip-Hop’s Remix. Basically, it was about how “white” people can never really identify themselves with “black” culture.
Terms like wanna be were used to describe “white” rappers and those who liked hip-hop music. Even Vanilla Ice realized that he was being exploited in this music genre to put a “white” face to hip-hop music. This is part of the reason why he’s not in mainstream anymore.
All this begs the question: Will I ever be authentic enough?
Over the past year I’ve heard of several churches bring a “black” person on staff because they wanted an authentic gospel sound. It’s the fine line of trying to be authentic and maybe even racist.
Sometimes when people mimic other cultures it’s because they’re fascinated with those cultures and want to learn more about it. Yes, there are people who make fun of other cultures, but I don’t even try to pay attention to those people.
So, the other question I have to ask is: How can I honor someone else’s culture even though I’m from another “race”?
The answer is in relationships and immersion and….practice, practice, practice. For example, if I wanted to incorporate country music in our service I would do a few things:
1. Go to country music concerts in the area.
2. Find someone, locally/regionally/nationally, who loves country music.
3. Visit some places where the cities are identified with country music.
4. Ask the people who love country music if I’m doing it “right”?
The fact is there’s always going to be critics. But keep your eyes on Christ and ask Him to help you find ways that will honor other culture and style of other people…while at the same time allowing it to be part of you too.
Share your story and your life…
Sincerely,
Peter Park
Blogger/Worship Leader/Speaker
peterpark@redemptionboulevard.com
(800) 453-3284
Hiring/recruiting versus training your own team?
Is it better to hire/recruit people to bring diversity or is it better to train your own team? Peter Park explains why it’s better to take the “slower” path.
Buying into the vision and the leader
Yesterday morning I had a meeting with two churches: Compass Covenant and Cross Cultural Evangelical Free Church. We had gotten together because I felt like God was asking these two churches to reach the neighborhood together. The pastors of both churches were present as well as the worship leader of Compass Covenant.
Both churches are multicultural. Both churches are trying to reach the same people. Both churches have strong pastors. BUT NOW….both churches are planning to work together.
Our meeting went differently than I imagined, but better than I thought it would. We were able to piece together different ideas drawing from our past experiences. It was fun to put the puzzle pieces together and see how we might reach people for Christ with an outreach/music event.
But is it enough to have a good cause/vision?
I believe good leaders enjoy a good challenge. And when you get a vision for something that’s bigger than you can handle yourself, especially if it’s in an area that you’re passionate about, it’s easy to get excited. You almost feel compelled to see this idea come about.
Even though I’m passionate about multicultural worship/art, I’m starting to realize that I’m really passionate about unity. It’s an area where I feel like I can be creative and use my gifts. But it also means leaning on the gifts/strengths of other people…something I’m not used to, even now, yet I’m starting to see the value in.
But having a good idea/cause isn’t enough for people to follow you. People need to trust you as a leader too.
John C. Maxwell writes in his book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership:
1. When people don’t buy into the leader or the vision…they get another leader.
2. When people don’t buy into the leader, but they buy into the vision…they get another leader.
3. When people buy into the leader, but they don’t buy into the vision…they get another vision.
4. BUT when people buy into the leader and the vision…they’ll get behind the leader.
You may need to read those four sentences over and over again. But you’ll slowly begin to understand how important it is for you to be a good leader and have big vision. It’s the only way we’re going to make progress in the multicultural church, worship, and the arts.
Share your story and your life…
Sincerely,
Peter Park
Blogger/Worship Leader/Speaker
peterpark@redemptionboulevard.com
(800) 453-3284
Is the Kingdom of Heaven segregated?
My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
John 17:20-23
Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
News of this reached the ears of the church at Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he arrived and saw the evidence of the grace of God, he was glad and encouraged them all to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts. He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith, and a great number of people were brought to the Lord.
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people. The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.
Acts 11:19-26
In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul.
Acts 13:1
Colorblind vs. Racial Reconciliation
The colorblind approach assumes that all believers have their primary identity as Christians; therefore, no concession needs to be made for cultural differences. Since we are all believers, our cultural differences should not matter.
~ The Next Evangelicalism by Soong-Chan Rah
The racial reconciliation approach asserts that significant sins have been committed related to the issue of race. These sins cannot be avoided or swept under the rug. These historical and social sins need to be dealt with when bringing the range of different races and ethnicities together as a worshiping community.
~ The Next Evangelicalism by Soong-Chan Rah
If you look at the core values of the church I attend then you will see that we emphasize being cultural inclusive as a small part of the whole picture. For me, this is concerning.
Do I love our church? Yes. Will I continue to attend it? Absolutely.
I just feel that we need to emphasize the cultural elements of our congregation and our neighborhood a little more. When I’ve made suggestions for this it’s been seen as being rebellious or that I don’t trust the leadership at our church. My intentions are far from that.
My prayer for the future is that our church begins to confess the sins of previous churches that have come and gone. I hope that we will be able to develop solid relationships with people of different ethnicities and ask for forgiveness on behalf of one’s race.
I’m not trying to be overly critical, seriously. My wife says that I’m at a point in my relationship with the church where I see our flaws…kind of like we do in our friendships/relationships. So, communication and prayer is going to be important.
Have you tried to make friends with someone and felt an immediate barrier? Could this person have some sort of past hurt that’s come from your ethnic or racial group? Would you feel comfortable asking for forgiveness, on behalf of your culture, even though you may not have had a direct reason for that hurt?
Related Blog Post(s):
Soup or salad or buffet?
Share your story and your life…
Sincerely,
Peter Park
Blogger/Worship Leader/Speaker
peterpark@redemptionboulevard.com
(800) 453-3284