The Lord’s Day
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| Evangelism is the sharing of the good news to all as stated in Christ’s Great Commission, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:19). As the demographics of the United States shift, the multicultural church is becoming more popular as a model that heals, reconciles, and bridges generational, cultural, and gender differences. In 2000, the PC(USA) had one hundred congregations identifying themselves as multicultural. Today, there are more than four hundred, and the number is growing. Each year through its mission grant office the office of Evangelism and Witness’s New Church Development receives ever more applications from congregations using the multicultural church approach. For the last four years, more multicultural leadership training opportunities have been provided by the General Assembly Council through its office of Evangelism and Racial/Cultural Diversity. In 2005 over one thousand participants attended a multicultural conference in New York City. A Multicultural Church Institute has been founded at Ghost Ranch, and in April 2004 the Presbyterian Multicultural Network was founded and a covenant agreement was established between it and National Ministries. Two more networks will be organized to support and provide evangelistic witness to multicultural congregations.
The multicultural church, as defined by our denomination as a ministry that intentionally recognizes, celebrates, and incorporates diverse membership in worship, leadership, and power sharing, is both a necessity for the survival of congregations and what we are called to do. —Rev. Raafat Shehata Girgis, associate for evangelism and Racial/Cultural Diversity, Evangelism and Witness, National Ministries |
 Prov. 31:10–31 With Grateful Hearts Our Faith Professing PH 497 O Happy Home, Where Thou Art Loved HB 455 Ps. 1 PPCS 1 James 3:13–4:3, 7–8a Come Down, O Love Divine PH 313 O Grant Us Light HB 335 Mark 9:30–37 O for a World PH 386 I Bind My Heart This Tide HB 286 |
 Gracious God, help us to be the church you intended it to be, a house of prayer for all, welcoming, affirming, and serving to all. Give us wisdom, courage, and faith to overcome the barriers of race, class, gender, and culture. Deliver us from the xenophobia that hinders us from reaching the alien and the stranger in our land. In Jesus’ name. Amen. |
