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Would it be multi-cultural if roughly 45 percent of the congregation is not a white person born in America? How about if they come from Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, India, Nigeria, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and Taiwan?
While it is hard to quantify the percentages of the diverse peoples, here is a rough estimate (All immigrated to the United States):
Brazilian — 1%
West African — 32%
Canadian — 5% (including some of Japanese descent)
Indian — 1%
Northern Irish — 2%
Scottish — 1%
South Africa — 2%
Taiwanese — 1%
Anglo — 55%
Does it count that every Sunday morning, hotel maids and nursing home aides worship side-by-side with high-tech professionals, physicians and college professors?
What about theological, musical and generational diversity? At Harford Street Church there are theological conservatives and liberals who co-exist remarkably well. Music in worship includes congregational hymns, praise songs, classical music, a traditional choir, a Cameroonian choir, a mixed quartet (three African Americans + one white woman) and anything else we’re inspired to do. (Have you ever heard Duke Ellington played as an offertory?) Ages range from newborn to nearly 100-years-old.
By any definition, I think you would have to agree that Hartford Street Presbyterian Church in Natick, Mass., with an active membership of 110, is a remarkably diverse — and multicultural — Presbyterian congregation. Why has this church — located in a wealthy, predominantly Jewish, Catholic and Anglo community — been so successful at diversifying its membership? Let me offer a few observations:
- First, let me say that we don’t spend time plotting tactics to lure people of any culture to the church. Our signage needs improvement, but we maintain a website which we think accurately portrays the people and programs at Hartford Street Church. We also commissioned some amazing murals by artist Bryn Gillette for the front of the church to signify that our simple building is indeed a church (and not a post office)! When those murals are lighted at night, our building is downright beautiful.
- We go out of our way to make everyone feel welcome from the moment they cross the threshold. There is no official program for this, but no guest leaves the church feeling unwelcome or ignored. In other words, everyone takes responsibility — every Sunday.
A few years ago, Agnes Tifu, an octogenarian from Cameroon, showed up one Sunday with a letter of reference from her pastor in Cameroon. Agnes was the first Cameroonian to attend our church. Through her influence (as matriarch) and our intentional respect for their cultural distinctives, we now have as many as 35 Cameroonian immigrants worshipping with us on Sunday.
- We are willing to change. I won’t say this has been easy for everyone, but the new young families particularly love the color and vibrancy brought to the service by the Cameroonian choir. What kinds of changes, you ask? In the past three years —
- A Cameroonian choir was formed and sings from amidst the congregation every Sunday. The church even purchased a conga drum for them to use. The membership of the choir changes weekly, but they have taken complete responsibility for the group. How often do you see a white baby dancing in the arms of a black woman who is singing and dancing her praises to her Lord? I tell you, we were loving it! (One caution — when the performances got longer and longer, we did have to ask the choir to limit the number of songs they sang at one time. After all, Americans have a limited attention span.)
- Our music director made the effort to transcribe some of the congregation’s favorite West African songs and now integrates them into the worship services. I can no longer imagine our communion service without “Living Bread” and “Living Water” being sung by the congregation.
- Periodically, we include special celebrations in our worship services, so the West Africans can celebrate a healing (which the church has been praying for) or remember the faith of a loved one on the anniversary of their death. This always includes a special offering brought to the pastor by a line of dancing and singing people in their best traditional finery. It’s one of my favorite times!
- This introverted pastor’s wife (and sometimes the pastor) actually wears the traditional clothing given to her as gifts — particularly World Communion Sunday. In some cultures, great respect is given to the pastor and his wife. I want to be careful to respect that, despite my American reticence to play the role of “pastor’s wife”. My one concession is that I always tailor the outfits (which are always huge) to fit my size and reflect more of my style. Their broad smiles tell me they don’t mind.
- The pastor makes an effort to discern and encourage the use of spiritual gifts in the whole congregation. In practical terms, this means that our session is now 25 percent African American or West African, and the deaconate is now one-third Brazilian and West African. It means Brazilians and West Africans have been invited to speak from the pulpit. (Experience with the latter has taught us we need to reconsider this when someone’s accent hinders the whole congregation from understanding what is said.)
- We genuinely love and respect each other. This is a real tribute to our congregation, since so many churches say they are accepting, but fail to “walk the talk.” The immigrant community would sense immediately if they were not respected. In fact, that would be the quickest way to squelch diversity of culture in any church. As the newcomers become more and more secure in their acceptance, you can actually see the confidence blossom and flourish as they take part more fully in the function of the Body.
- Certain members of the congregation have adopted the immigrant community as their ministry. One of our deacons spends a great deal of time helping newcomers maneuver through the maze of the American systems of education, healthcare and all kinds of other things we take for granted. Men and women facing immigration hearings seek out people they know will pray for them.
It is important to note that while the deaconate may offer assistance to any congregant in need, they always do it in a way that fosters independence. An example of this would be paying for textbooks for a student. (The church also supports a well-established emergency food and clothing center, which is located on church property.)
- It helps a lot to have a pastor who loves working with immigrants. It isn’t a given that your pastor will be comfortable with and respectful of different cultures, but if it’s missing, that makes the development of a multi-cultural congregation very difficult, indeed.
—Fay Rhodes
Hartford Street Presbyterian Church
99 Hartford Street
Natick, MA 01760
(508) 653-4839 |
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