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Round Table Explores Accelerating Ethnic Advances
MUNDELEIN, IL (March 6, 2004) - A recent round table exploring ways to advance
ethnic ministry in the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) celebrated how
far the denomination has come in a relatively short period of time,
while at the same time recognizing how far the church has yet to go.
Sixty-five participants gathered for fours days of evaluation and
planning at St. Mary's By the Lake Conference Center in Mundelein. The
event was convened under the auspices of the ECC Executive Board and
involved 34 ethnic and 31 Caucasian leaders, included the Council of
Administrators and the Council of Superintendents.
Ethnic ministries in the Covenant have tripled during the last decade,
having grown in attendance by 151 percent in that period, compared to 52
percent for ministries in the ECC as a whole. Nineteen percent of all
ECC congregations are ethnic or multi-ethnic, making the ECC one of the
most diverse denominations in the United States and Canada.
"What has happened in the past several years is very significant", said
event co-coordinator Gary Walter, head of the Department of Church
Growth and Evangelism. "And this event was designed to help us do even
more to reach our potential," said co-coordinator Harold Spooner,
director of Outreach Ministries for Covenant Ministries of Benevolence.
Both agree that the motivation to move forward is two-fold. The first is
mission. For the ECC to reach the entirety of the mission field of the
U.S. and Canada, the ECC must address the diversity of the mission
field. The second is the nature of the Kingdom of God. The future
kingdom is characterized by unity across ethnic, class and gender. The
Church is richer here on earth as it lives in light of that future reality.
The round table was organized around what has become known as the
"Five-fold Test" adopted by the Executive Board as one way to monitor
progress and complete additional planning. The five parts of the test are:
- Population: Is the ECC reaching more people in more populations?
- Participation: How are we sharing life together in Christ at the
denominational, conference and local levels?
- Power: How are positions and structures influenced by the
perspective and gifts of diverse populations?
- Pace-setting: With additional gifts, burdens, and expertise in our
midst, what ministries are we now able to undertake and strengthen?
- Purposeful narrative: How do the stories of new backgrounds become
incorporated into our overarching history? How do all of these streams
flow together into one story moving forward?
Randy Furushima, one of the pastors of Wellspring Covenant Church in
Hawaii, served as facilitator. Each test area contained two parts. The
first was a presentation of evaluative material. "Much of the data was
encouraging," Walter said. "It showed the progress we have made. But
other of the data showed we still have along way to go."
The second part of each test area involved a planning process. Ideas
were generated under each category. Some 150 ideas in all were
catalogued. Furushima then led the group through a consensus process
that isolated the top five recommendations in each area.
Twenty-five specific recommendations were drafted for presentation at
the next Executive Board meeting March 12-14. Recommendations range from
long-term ideas such as implementing a young leader development program
to short-term ideas such as commissioning a multi-ethnic history of the ECC.
The recommendations will be presented to the Executive Board, which will
make assignments for action or further study. Regular reports will be
made to the Executive Board. The Ethnic Commission will also be involved
in follow-up and reporting. Round table participants will gather at
Midwinter to hear an update.
In addition to the five-fold test, the event included worship and Bible
studies. Participants roomed cross-racially. They also went as a group
to see The Passion of the Christ film on opening night. "It
wasn't just head stuff," said Spooner. " This isn't about the mechanics
of multi-ethnicity. It's about sharing our life together in Christ."
"Not many, if any, historically Caucasian denominations have
transitioned to becoming multi-ethnic," Walter observed. "We have the
opportunity to lead the way and encourage others to follow."
"We are positioned to do it," concluded Spooner. "If we can trust God
and trust each other, just maybe we'll experience what the world says
can't be done."
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