A Mosaic of Believers: Diversity and Innovation in a Multiethnic Church [Hardcover]

Gerardo Marti (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 7, 2005

Mosaic in southern California is one of the largest and most innovative multiethnic congregations in America. Gerardo Marti shows us how this unusual church has achieved multiethnicity, not by targeting specific groups, but by providing multiple havens of inclusion that play down ethnic differences. He reveals a congregation aiming to reconstruct evangelical theology, personal identity, member involvement, and church governance to create an institution with greater relevance to the social reality of a new generation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Engagingly and accessibly written, this excellent book deserves wide readership among everyone interested in US religion, ethnicity, organizations and urban culture." —Choice

(Choice )

"Marti's insightful reflections on these issues at Mosaic will help observers of other groups as well." —Nova Religio

(Nova Religio )

"A very thoughtful, unique contribution [that] edges us forward in our understanding of the interethnic religious experience [that] will stimulate researchers... to forge ahead in their quest to understand this important social phenomenon." —Review of Religious Research

(Review of Religious Research )

"Gerardo Marti... argues that racial and ethinic identities are fluid and negotiated and that interracial churches can successfully create a model of 'ethnic transcendence' in which a common identity as Christian transcends specific racial or ethnic identities." —Peter W Marty, Senior Pastor, St Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport Iowa, host of the radio program "Grace Matters", Christian Century, 1/13/09

(Peter W Marty, Senior Pastor, St Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport Iowa, host of the radio program "Grace Matters" Christian Century )

About the Author

Gerardo Marti is L. Richardson King Assistant Professor of Sociology at Davidson College and author of Hollywood Faith: Holiness, Prosperity, and Ambition in a Los Angeles Church.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 264 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (January 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0253344824
• ISBN-13: 978-0253344823
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,971,320 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sociologist and author Gerardo Marti received his Ph.D. at the University of Southern California and currently holds the L. Richardson King Professorship at Davidson College. Follow his thinking and work on twitter - http://twitter.com/praxishabitus

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond conventional labels for religious believers, October 27, 2004

By 

young blood - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Mosaic of Believers: Diversity and Innovation in a Multiethnic Church (Hardcover)

Looking under the conventional labels used to depict religious believers, ethnographers and cultural historians are uncovering some unexpected findings. We know, for example, that religious conservatives are likely to vote Republican, but what, exactly, does it mean to be a religious conservative? If the scholarship of historians like R. Marie Griffith or sociologists like Gerardo Marti is any indication, it does not necessarily mean turning one's back on the modern world. [...] Marti's 'A Mosaic of Believers: Diversity and Innovation in a Multiethnic Church,' to be published next month, offers a case study of a Los Angeles-based church that is at one and the same time Southern Baptist in affiliation and conservative theologically and attractive to a young, primarily single Hollywood clientele working at cutting-edge cultural jobs in the entertainment industry. As such books illustrate, the ethnographic trend overlaps with interest in the complexities of religion and American culture and their intersection. While religion has certainly done its share to shape American culture, it is also the case that American culture shapes religion, and in very powerful ways.

-- From Alan Wolfe, "Scholars Infuse Religion With Cultural Light," The Chronicle of Higher Education

Detailed Table of Contents

Acknowledgements
Introduction
   Mosaic Havens: Dual Movement of Escape and Refuge
   Max Weber and the Dynamic Nature of Ethnicity
   Overview

Chapter 1: Multi-Ethnic Churches, Mosaic, and Social Change
   Significance of Multi-ethnic Churches
   Significance of Mosaic
   A Glimpse Into the Future

Chapter 2: Describing Mosaic
   An Oral History
   Unique Aspects of This Congregation

Chapter 3: History, Agency, and the Evangelical Faith: A Reconstruction of Ideology
   Exploring Mosaic's Theological Haven
   Catalytic Preaching and the Shaping of a Congregation
   A Theology of Mission
   The Apostolic Community and the Movement of History

Chapter 4: The Hollywood Connection and the Management of Artistic Talent: A Reconstruction of Involvement
   Exploring Mosaic's Artistic Haven
   Parallels between Mosaic and the Entertainment Industry
   Mobilization as the Core Activity at Mosaic

Chapter 5: Innovation and the Cultivation of Catalytic Leaders: A Reconstruction of Imperative
   Exploring Mosaic's Innovator Haven
   Discovery, Development, and Deployment of Leaders
   Diversification and Innovation through Catalytic Leaders

Chapter 6: Mosaic and the Emerging American Culture: A Reconstruction of an Institution
   Exploring Mosaic's Age Haven
   Reversing the Age Hierarchy
   Cultural Appeal to the Coming Century

Chapter 7: Becoming Mosaic: A Reconstruction of Identity
   Exploring Mosaic's Ethnic Haven
   Charismatic Authority and the Strategic Management of Ethnic Identity
   Charismatic Re-orientation of Ethnic Identity

Conclusion
   Innovation and Diversification in Pursuit of Mission
   Popular Culture, Younger Generations, and the Rejection of Modernity
   Capturing a Movement in Action

Bibliography

Appendix: Methodological Considerations from a Religious Insider
   Qualitative Research and the Dilemma of Researcher Involvement
   Seeking Validity for This Researcher in Studying This Congregation
   Guidelines Offered in Hindsight

Appendix: Women and Leadership at Mosaic

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal MUST Read for Emerging Christianity, May 23, 2005

By 

W. Dahl "BillyD" (Los Angeles) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Mosaic of Believers: Diversity and Innovation in a Multiethnic Church (Hardcover)

This book is an artform. The work is an in-depth glimpse of the inner-workings of the emerging church that many philosophize and prophesize about, yet never have the opportunity to live within. The care and balance that Marti brought to the project as a pastor and scholar was obvious and reassuring. I am confident that Gerardo's work will provide a methodological basis that provides others with the courage to do the same. This book is timely as the denominational form of Christianity continues to slide into oblivion in the U.S. However, it is a refreshing testament to the fact that God has something more in mind. He's not done with Christianity in the U.S. just yet. He is the God of MORE...much more. Marti's book is a refreshing, uplifting testament to the fact that He is alive and working diligently in our world...He just needs some disciples to hear Him and "Follow Me." Clearly, the finished work spawns more questions and opportunities for additional research, as any substantial research endeavor should.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insights into Diversity and Mosaic, September 27, 2006

By 

B. Kruckenberg (phoenix, az usa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: A Mosaic of Believers: Diversity and Innovation in a Multiethnic Church (Hardcover)

This book does a masterful job of piecing apart Mosaic, how it is structured and how it operates. It provides facts and unique insights behind the scenes and gives the reader what he needs to understand diversity in a local church that is impacting the world.