As the church continues to hear and heed Christ's call to reflect the multiethnic character of his people, pastors and lay leaders need to gain skills and competencies to serve in those contexts. The multicultural team of Juan Martinez and Mark Branson has written this book to equip such leaders to create environments that make God's reconciling initiatives apparent in church life and in our missional engagement with neighborhoods and cities. Generated by courses they teach at Fuller Theological Seminary, Branson and Martinez take an interdisciplinary approach that integrates biblical and theological study with the disciplines of sociology, cultural anthropology and communications. The result is a rich blend of astute analysis with guidance for practical implementation of a deeper intercultural life for the church. Case studies, Bible studies and exercises for personal reflection and classroom use connect the real life and everyday challenges that inevitably arise in multi-ethnic contexts. Martinez and Branson offer not static model but a praxis of "paying attention," reflection and study that can lead to a genuine reconciliation and shared life empowered by the gospel that is personal, interpersonal, cultural and structural.
Churches, Cultures and Leadership
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Review
"This book provoked my mind theologically, historically, practically and spiritually. Branson and Martínez do a masterful job in communicating the complexities that conjoin church, cultures and leadership." (Dr. David A. Anderson, senior pastor, radio host, and author of Gracism)
"A book on the intercultural formation of congregations that integrates theology and cultural anthropology. This book is not a 'how to' but a humble and profoundly informative presentation that facilitates coming to the transparency needed for moving toward intercultural relations and ministry. Culture, language, worldview, theology and the unconscious assumptions that shape these are defined and examined so that we can understand our habits of ethnicity, class and social status. Awareness exercises are provided for facilitating conversations and the doing of theology. Leadership issues are then discussed in light of all of these aspects. The vignettes provided keep it real, and resources are provided with every chapter for further reading and viewing (movies). Finally, a book that's 'real' about these complex matters. Read it, share it and you will be ushered into lasting change." (Dr. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier, pastor, religious educator and dean of Esperanza College of Eastern University)
"Given the phenomenal demographic changes in our nation (e.g., cultural diversity of our communities and congregations), Churches, Cultures and Leadership is a very important and rich resource for engaging the multicultural challenges facing the church. Via an interdisciplinary approach (i.e., Scripture, practical theology, social anthropology, cultural studies, philosophical hermeneutics, leadership theory and communication) Branson and Martínez have gifted the church with an unique--the only one of its kind--work for practical and faithful intercultural life and for helping the church reflect the diversity of America." (Rev. Eldin Villafane, Ph.D., professor, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and author of Beyond Cheap Grace)
"Part biblical study, part handbook on ministry, for use in the classroom or in small groups, Churches, Cultures and Leadership is a foundational text that meets the need for a broad, interdisciplinary and substantive perspective on intercultural ministry. From years of experience, Mark Lau Branson and Juan Martínez offer unique insights and a range of practical resources. May it help us toward a church in the power of the Spirit!" (Mark R. Gornik and Maria Liu Wong, City Seminary of New York)
"Branson and Martínez discuss the issues of culture and ethnicity in the life of the church, and of leadership within the context of these issues, in a more thorough and yet more accessible and practical way than any other book I know. This is a must-read book for any who are really concerned for the mission of the church in the future that now opens before us." (Justo L. Gonzalez, author of The Story of Christianity)
"If I were teaching today, this would be my basic and required text. If I were a pastor, this would be my chief source for leading my congregation into the future. Since I am a congregant, I will read this to better understand how to function in a changing urban society. This is a timely offering, crafted out of field experience, classroom disciplines and deep personal commitments. Great stuff!" (William Pannell, Fuller Theological Seminary)
"Churches, Cultures & Leadership is one of the most significant books on the work of racial and cultural reconciliation yet published. Branson and Martínez have written a comprehensive work that integrates biblical research and social science analysis with highly practical suggestions for application in congregations and communities facing intercultural realities. They make the complexities of diversity understandable, accessible and even exciting. This thoughtful, engaging and substantive book by two practitioner scholars is a must-read for anyone interested in creating intercultural community." (Curtiss Paul DeYoung, professor of reconciliation studies, Bethel University)
"A book on the intercultural formation of congregations that integrates theology and cultural anthropology. This book is not a 'how to' but a humble and profoundly informative presentation that facilitates coming to the transparency needed for moving toward intercultural relations and ministry. Culture, language, worldview, theology and the unconscious assumptions that shape these are defined and examined so that we can understand our habits of ethnicity, class and social status. Awareness exercises are provided for facilitating conversations and the doing of theology. Leadership issues are then discussed in light of all of these aspects. The vignettes provided keep it real, and resources are provided with every chapter for further reading and viewing (movies). Finally, a book that's 'real' about these complex matters. Read it, share it and you will be ushered into lasting change." (Dr. Elizabeth Conde-Frazier, pastor, religious educator and dean of Esperanza College of Eastern University)
"Given the phenomenal demographic changes in our nation (e.g., cultural diversity of our communities and congregations), Churches, Cultures and Leadership is a very important and rich resource for engaging the multicultural challenges facing the church. Via an interdisciplinary approach (i.e., Scripture, practical theology, social anthropology, cultural studies, philosophical hermeneutics, leadership theory and communication) Branson and Martínez have gifted the church with an unique--the only one of its kind--work for practical and faithful intercultural life and for helping the church reflect the diversity of America." (Rev. Eldin Villafane, Ph.D., professor, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and author of Beyond Cheap Grace)
"Part biblical study, part handbook on ministry, for use in the classroom or in small groups, Churches, Cultures and Leadership is a foundational text that meets the need for a broad, interdisciplinary and substantive perspective on intercultural ministry. From years of experience, Mark Lau Branson and Juan Martínez offer unique insights and a range of practical resources. May it help us toward a church in the power of the Spirit!" (Mark R. Gornik and Maria Liu Wong, City Seminary of New York)
"Branson and Martínez discuss the issues of culture and ethnicity in the life of the church, and of leadership within the context of these issues, in a more thorough and yet more accessible and practical way than any other book I know. This is a must-read book for any who are really concerned for the mission of the church in the future that now opens before us." (Justo L. Gonzalez, author of The Story of Christianity)
"If I were teaching today, this would be my basic and required text. If I were a pastor, this would be my chief source for leading my congregation into the future. Since I am a congregant, I will read this to better understand how to function in a changing urban society. This is a timely offering, crafted out of field experience, classroom disciplines and deep personal commitments. Great stuff!" (William Pannell, Fuller Theological Seminary)
"Churches, Cultures & Leadership is one of the most significant books on the work of racial and cultural reconciliation yet published. Branson and Martínez have written a comprehensive work that integrates biblical research and social science analysis with highly practical suggestions for application in congregations and communities facing intercultural realities. They make the complexities of diversity understandable, accessible and even exciting. This thoughtful, engaging and substantive book by two practitioner scholars is a must-read for anyone interested in creating intercultural community." (Curtiss Paul DeYoung, professor of reconciliation studies, Bethel University)
Review
'Branson and Martínez discuss the issues of culture and ethnicity in the life of the church, and of leadership within the context of these issues in a more thorough and yet more accessible and practical way than any other book I know. This is a must-read book for any who are really concerned for the mission of the church in the future that now opens before us.'
—Justo L. Gonzalez, author of The Story of Christianity
"This book provoked my mind theologically, historically, practically and spiritually. Branson and Martínez do a masterful job in communicating the complexities that conjoin church, cultures and leadership." (Dr. David A. Anderson, senior pastor, radio host, and author of Gracism )
—Justo L. Gonzalez, author of The Story of Christianity
"This book provoked my mind theologically, historically, practically and spiritually. Branson and Martínez do a masterful job in communicating the complexities that conjoin church, cultures and leadership." (Dr. David A. Anderson, senior pastor, radio host, and author of Gracism )
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
By Ryan J. Bell
Format:Paperback
Review originally posted at The Hillhurst Review ([...])
For decades church growth gurus have taught conscientious pastors that one important key to the numerical growth of congregations is the "homogenous principle." That is, churches grow best when they focus on one type of person. "Like attracts like," goes the popular adage. Who can deny the truth of this? A church full of young families, for example, is undoubtedly attractive to many other young families. In social settings people feel more at ease when they can identify others like themselves.
In their new book, Churches, Cultures & Leadership, Fuller Theological Seminary professors Mark Lau Branson and Juan F. Martinez, challenge this conventional wisdom, arguing that church leaders need to take a fresh look the role of churches in God's reconciling mission.
"[C]entral to this book [is the question], what is the call of the gospel on churches? How can churches model gospel reconciliation and be agents of reconciliation and justice in our cities and in our nation? We believe that God's grace calls us beyond racism and ethnocentrism. The question is how to express the new reality of the gospel in ways that both celebrates our differences and draws us toward unity in Jesus Christ (17)."
They approach their subject with academic rigor, pastoral concern for the church as well as a deep awareness of their own ethnic narratives and experiences. They have both served many years in multi-cultural congregations and now co-teach seminary students.
The book aims at an ambitious target: to outline a practical theology of intercultural, congregational leadership. Any one of those themes would be challenging enough, but here, Branson and Martinez work at integration. In the end, this is a work of practical theology.
They begin by laying out the frameworks within which they will discuss the challenges and opportunities of intercultural life and leadership in congregations. Beginning with a practical theology framework, Branson shows church leaders how to be contextual theologians by weaving congregational stories with the Biblical narrative and contextual narratives to arrive at suggestions about how a congregation can engage with God's initiatives. It also frames the conversation in missional terms by lifting the church's focus to what God is doing in the world. Ultimately leaders and church members must broaden their understanding of spirituality from a concern about intimacy with God to a concern about participating in God's initiatives.
Part two uses the tools established in part one and addresses the central issues of worldviews, language and power, self-perception, individuality and modes of thinking that are the hidden, but very real, obstacles to multicultural life. Part three focuses directly on the practical skills of communication and leadership by bringing together the learning from part two within the frameworks of part one.
Besides being well organized and tightly constructed, this book is also immensely practical. Each chapter includes Bible study outlines, which can be used in personal study and reflection as well as group processes. When understood within the framework of the practical theology cycle described in chapter one, these Bible studies have the potential to transform the perspectives of church members by raising their awareness of God's healing and reconciling initiatives in the world. There are also suggestions included throughout the book for movies that can add to the individual and group awareness and understanding of intercultural challenges and give some exposure to other cultures. There are also exercises that can be used in church groups or classrooms to continue the conversation started by the authors.
Branson and Martinez have given the church a gift: a multi-faceted, interdisciplinary tool - both theologically rich and immensely practical - to guide congregations in shaping intercultural congregational life.
For decades church growth gurus have taught conscientious pastors that one important key to the numerical growth of congregations is the "homogenous principle." That is, churches grow best when they focus on one type of person. "Like attracts like," goes the popular adage. Who can deny the truth of this? A church full of young families, for example, is undoubtedly attractive to many other young families. In social settings people feel more at ease when they can identify others like themselves.
In their new book, Churches, Cultures & Leadership, Fuller Theological Seminary professors Mark Lau Branson and Juan F. Martinez, challenge this conventional wisdom, arguing that church leaders need to take a fresh look the role of churches in God's reconciling mission.
"[C]entral to this book [is the question], what is the call of the gospel on churches? How can churches model gospel reconciliation and be agents of reconciliation and justice in our cities and in our nation? We believe that God's grace calls us beyond racism and ethnocentrism. The question is how to express the new reality of the gospel in ways that both celebrates our differences and draws us toward unity in Jesus Christ (17)."
They approach their subject with academic rigor, pastoral concern for the church as well as a deep awareness of their own ethnic narratives and experiences. They have both served many years in multi-cultural congregations and now co-teach seminary students.
The book aims at an ambitious target: to outline a practical theology of intercultural, congregational leadership. Any one of those themes would be challenging enough, but here, Branson and Martinez work at integration. In the end, this is a work of practical theology.
They begin by laying out the frameworks within which they will discuss the challenges and opportunities of intercultural life and leadership in congregations. Beginning with a practical theology framework, Branson shows church leaders how to be contextual theologians by weaving congregational stories with the Biblical narrative and contextual narratives to arrive at suggestions about how a congregation can engage with God's initiatives. It also frames the conversation in missional terms by lifting the church's focus to what God is doing in the world. Ultimately leaders and church members must broaden their understanding of spirituality from a concern about intimacy with God to a concern about participating in God's initiatives.
Part two uses the tools established in part one and addresses the central issues of worldviews, language and power, self-perception, individuality and modes of thinking that are the hidden, but very real, obstacles to multicultural life. Part three focuses directly on the practical skills of communication and leadership by bringing together the learning from part two within the frameworks of part one.
Besides being well organized and tightly constructed, this book is also immensely practical. Each chapter includes Bible study outlines, which can be used in personal study and reflection as well as group processes. When understood within the framework of the practical theology cycle described in chapter one, these Bible studies have the potential to transform the perspectives of church members by raising their awareness of God's healing and reconciling initiatives in the world. There are also suggestions included throughout the book for movies that can add to the individual and group awareness and understanding of intercultural challenges and give some exposure to other cultures. There are also exercises that can be used in church groups or classrooms to continue the conversation started by the authors.
Branson and Martinez have given the church a gift: a multi-faceted, interdisciplinary tool - both theologically rich and immensely practical - to guide congregations in shaping intercultural congregational life.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By thechangedoc
Format:Paperback
The Church, especially in North America, is experiencing profound change. Yet some of the most critical and consequential changes are often overlooked while lesser concerns receive the spotlight.
What a fantastic book Mark Lau Branson and Juan F. Martinez have written. Churches, Cultures and Leadership: A Practical Theology of Congregations and Ethnicities is so well organized; the logic so clear. The authors have taken a subject that seems abstract and set forth practical ideas for individual, local churches to pursue without compromising what God intends each congregation uniquely to be and to become.
I highly recommend this book to serious church leaders who recognize the need to honor God with more than numerical growth in increasingly diverse and seemingly ever more complex times.
What a fantastic book Mark Lau Branson and Juan F. Martinez have written. Churches, Cultures and Leadership: A Practical Theology of Congregations and Ethnicities is so well organized; the logic so clear. The authors have taken a subject that seems abstract and set forth practical ideas for individual, local churches to pursue without compromising what God intends each congregation uniquely to be and to become.
I highly recommend this book to serious church leaders who recognize the need to honor God with more than numerical growth in increasingly diverse and seemingly ever more complex times.
