Transition: Stage One
I’ve spent the last few weeks investigating what the situation is at Bethel University. You see…my friend Luke will be leading worship during chapel services this coming Fall and Spring.
Bethel University is trying to move into a multicultural worship setting, but has struggled to do so.
(Bethel University is in Saint Paul, Minnesota, which is quite diverse, the students attending the school are primarily Caucasian. The staff there is diverse, however.)
Accessing the situation…
So far, I’ve asked specific questions about who will help lead worship this coming school year, what kind of music they are used to, and what they’re planning to do to cast the vision.
This means I’ve spent some time talking with my friend Luke and the campus pastor of worship. And this is a necessarily step, as you need to understand the heart of as many people involved in the process.
The plan so far…
Because the student body primarily listens to Contemporary Christian Music we will begin with that style of music. Luke has chosen 10 songs that are familiar to them.
Interestingly enough, Spanish is spoken widely amongst the staff. And there is a group of Hmong students attending the University as well.
So, from those 10 songs both Luke and I will split up the work and do song translations in both Spanish and Hmong.
Why start with familiar songs?
A lot of churches that want to transition into multicultural want to make the big step of being totally authentic.
Even at my church, Cross Cultural Evangelical, we needed to take baby steps. I think I can safely say that most of our congregation members were primarily familiar with Contemporary Christian Music and the hymns when we first started.
Luke will have the opportunity to lead 40 times during the school, which is quite a lot for a student. This will give him an opportunity to get the students used to the idea of multicultural worship with language. And as the school year progresses we can make stylistic changes too.
Lesson…
Whether you’re starting a church that’s intentionally multicultural or transitioning into one – everybody has adjustment period they need to go through. So, don’t necessarily think in terms of weeks or months, but think in terms of 5 years or more. And remember to do as much research with people before you get started.
After all, the plan is to reach the people in the neighborhood/campus and worship with them.
Share your story and your life…
Sincerely,
Peter Park
Blogger/Worship Leader/Speaker
peterpark@redemptionboulevard.com
(800) 453-3284
© 2010, Peter Park. All rights reserved.
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Cool!
One dynamic that may be interesting as you plan for Bethel, is that Vespers does attract students from several different campuses. Both Hamline and Macalester have sizable unofficial groups that go over, and I suspect other campuses do as well.
I’d be interested in how this project goes.
Richard Daley
July 13, 2010
I’ll will keep everyone updated about this. Keep praying for Bethel Richard.
Peter Park
July 13, 2010
I think that something Hmong would be awesome. I went to NWC just down the read and the Hmong population there was substantial.
Just a thought,
Nate
Nathaniel Thomas
July 22, 2010
We’ve been singing songs in Hmong at our church for some time, so it’ll be good to take that to Bethel University as well.
Peter Park
July 22, 2010