"Becoming a Multicultural Church," Laurene Beth Bowers (Pilgrim Press, 2006).
Laurene Beth Bowers is pastor of First Congregational Church of Randolph, Mass. In “Becoming a Multicultural Church,” Bowers reflects upon the experience of her congregation, once a historically “traditional,” one social grouping church that has become multicultural and is currently one of the largest churches numerically in Randolph.
|
Urban Connections – May 2007 |
In the introduction, Bowers notes that she is the least likely to write a book on multiculturalism, yet she chose to write one because she writes as a member of the dominant culture to other members of the dominant culture. (She notes as well that she does not speak for all members of the dominant culture.) Aware of books for the church written by people of color, and many written by men, she said she could not find a book “by a woman of European American heritage writing to the European American community, and so was inspired to write one.”
Bowers offers her text, divided into seven chapters, as a biblical model, asserting that the Israelites’ experience of journeying from oppression to liberation and into the promised land serves as an analogous model for depicting the experience of journeying from segregation to multiculturalism. The book is helpful in that it does not merely focus on window dressing – that is, working at ways to become a more colorful congregation without addressing the underlying issues of why a church does not attract a diverse congregation.
For instance, Bowers sees power as the golden calf that the dominant group possesses, and notes that power needs to be given up and redistributed. She also gives examples of the different ways of viewing, claiming and sharing power within various cultural settings. Equally helpful are discussions of the pastor’s power, the power of the “inner circle” and the “power of the past” (former or deceased members who still hold sway over how the church operates).
The book concludes with several appendices. Appendix A outlines the seasons of the church year and notes corresponding traditions for the seasons from a variety of cultural contexts. Other appendices offer liturgies for Advent, resources for special days (Black History Month, Central America Sunday, etc.), and a listing of liturgical, cultural and historical dates spanning the church year.
A weakness of the book, from this reviewer’s point of view, is Bowers’ reluctance or refusal to name racism in church structures. While the book makes many excellent points about the biblical vision of diversity (multiculturalism) and the existence of prejudice, Bowers does not dwell upon the reality of institutional racism and how it exists within church structures. However, the book can be helpful for churches beginning a journey.
Talk back: To respond to this story, e-mail urbanconnections@mennonitemission.net. Subscribe to this and other e-mail lists through Mennonite Mission Network.
