“It’s A Matter of B.L.O.O.D.”
The Challenge For Multi-Cultural Ministry  

Is there diversity in your church? Ask your youth minister how many teens of color do they have in their group?

For too long we have conformed to the world’s pattern of segregation. The apostle Paul warned us about this, and asked us to be transformed, by the renewing of our minds.

If we cannot love someone of another color (through the evidence of our actions, not feelings) we cannot claim that the love of Christ is in us. (1 John 3:13) In all fairness, our parents and others before, have done a poor job of modeling this for us.

By breaking down cultural barriers and stepping out of our comfort zone, we can experience the truth that will set us free from the prejudice that separates us. Then we will see others the way Jesus did; as children of God.

The B.L.O.O.D that separates us…

Belonging: The bastard child syndrome, “You know I’m here, yet you resent me,” this is how urban immigrants and minorities feel. Our society might even be polite to them, but seldom will they extend an invitation to meet them at a deeper level.

Solution: We must be obedient to the call of Christ. (Matthew 25:40)

Love: “You don’t love me,” a byproduct of their sense of separation and segregation. Culturally, Hispanics and Americans express affection differently.

Hispanics are warm, physical, passionate and animated. They need close intense attention. For example, in latin cultures people greet with hugs and kisses, even people they are meeting for the first time (very different for Americans). Traditionally latins will invite you over to dinner within the second or third greeting, that is not so in this country, where people will go years without opening their home to others.

Solution: Understand cross-cultural differences that could help us build a bridge of communication. (John 17:20)

Others: “…are more attractive than me.” Hispanics are faced with many variables that feed their sense of low self-worth:

Most cultures have a class system, which promotes separation and confirmation that the poor are not as important or as valued as higher classes. Because the majority of immigrant families in America are poor, it perpetuates this feeling.

The American standard of beauty is also hard on them. The physical attributes of this cultural group are much different than what the media and our society consider desirable.

Solution: The Bible tells us that man judges outward appearances, but God looks at the heart. (James 2:1-3, 8-10) So must we!

“Onderstand”: (not a misspelling) this is how my mother pronounces it. “You don’t onderstand.” She’s talking about compassion. By definition: compassion means joining in the suffering of another.

For Americans this is very difficult, by no fault of our own. We are the wealthiest nation on the planet and most cannot relate (much less empathize) with extreme suffering. This makes us insensitive and cold in the eyes of the socially distressed.

Solution: We must take the attitude of Christ, and consider others before ourselves. (Phil. 2:3-11)

Different: We are different, and that is just a fact. Cultures, customs, traditions and styles all influence how we treat each other. On average this tends to separate us.

Solution: Old standards in ministry must become flexible if we are to deal with new times and new people. (John 17)