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One New People: Models for Developing a Multiethnic Church

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Ortiz has written a useful little book in helping to develop multi-ethnic churches. Through a chapter about demographics he shows the necessity of multi-cultural churches today. Then he takes the reader through two main models for multi-ethnic/cultural churches. He first describes the "multi-congregational" model, which is, in essence, when two or more groups meet under the same roof but have limited interaction. The "multiethnic" church, his second model, allows for greater cooperation (and struggles) between the different groups. In the following chapters he develops how best to transition from a mono-cultural to a multi-cultural church with very practical advice and several examples from actual multi-cultural churches. He ends with a theological study on becoming a "new humanity" that gives his theological basis for encouraging the multi-cultural/ethnic church.

Pros
In chapter one he gives an overview of the chapters with certain questions one should ask while reading them. These are very helpful and practical.
Gives good practical advice throughout


Cons
Does not discuss the possibilities of multi-lingual worship services.
Unfortunately because this book was written over 10 years ago, the demographics are a bit out of date.

Although anyone living in a multi-ethnic setting could benefit from this book, his primary target seems to be church leaders. Anyone looking to work in an urban area would be well served by reading Ortiz's work.

Manuel Ortiz has written a very practical "why and how to" book on developing multicultural congregations. He provides transcultural and time-tested models for moving a church (change management) culture from monolithic to multicultural. Though dated (and thus the demographics tend to be outdated), the principles and practices are timeless.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction , Soul Physicians, and Spiritual Friends.

Living in a changing world, in the United States, becoming increasingly more diverse culturally, and ethnically, we need to be prepared as the church body to be on the frontlines of this phenomenon.

In One New People Ortiz reminds us of the diversity that existed in the church of the first century, and Jesus Christ's' purpose to reconcile us in Him. "The Community has a kingdom testimony of people from diverse backgrounds being loved and being accepted and then sharing their possessions for the purpose of advancing God's Kingdom. This testimony is uncommon in a society where racial strife is more evident than brotherly love. While it often leads to evangelism and growth in the church, it also provides for healing in the community" (Ortiz 1996:93)

Ortiz presents in a very practical way throughout the text, examples of various congregations that have taken the steps to change from a homogeneous church to what he describes to be a multicongregational church or a multiethnical church.
A multicongregational church is a church that houses various ethnic groups from the community in one building with different meeting times during the week. A Multiethnic church is a church that includes culturally diverse people who meet together as one congregation, utilizing one language, usually English." He presents the case of the International Bible Church, located in Los Angeles and is composed of "Anglos, American Indians, Asian Indians, Blacks, Chinese, Guatemalans, Filipinos, Koreans, Mexicans, Salvadorians, Russians, Taiwanese, Thais, and Ukrainians." The purpose of this church is to glorify God (Eph 1:5-6, 12,14). The key of this ministry is to focus on Jesus Christ who makes us one and not in our differences.

Ortiz encourages us to take serious the plan of God of reconciling people. "This new pattern can be summarized in terms of process, change, evaluation and the body of Christ." (Ortiz 1996:140). He uses as a model 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 and mentions some principles that will help us in the cross cultural process of change: Humility, Centrality of Christ, Honesty, Dependence on God, Confidence in God.

"I believe that we limit the greatness of our Lord when we know God only as a local God who speaks our language and understands our condition alone. The multiethnic church provides us with a more comprehensive understanding of the Scriptures. It takes away our haughtiness-our belief that we are more important and more knowledgeable than anyone else. It teaches us to learn the world in more depth because the insight of others helps us to see things that our blinders shut out before. It tells us that we need each other (1 Cor 12:12-27) and another part cannot tell another, I have no need of you." (Ortiz 1996:12)

We can learn about some steps and models from a Biblical perspective towards a reconciled Church the way Christ intended it to be.

Manuel Ortiz's, One New People: Models for Developing a Multiethnic Church, is a well-timed book for a day of great segregation in our churches. The segregation problem in our churches mirrors quite directly the continued segregation of races, social classes and any other means by which people differentiate themselves found in out society. Sadly, we follow in the footsteps of a fallen people as opposed to leading the way and standing out in holiness as Christ intended his people to do. Yet, despite the state of our society and our churches within them Ortiz offers hope and looks positively into a future where these distinguishing factors are replaced by a view of people in and out of the church that sees them as a new nation, a Christian nation. Several of the principles and specific examples he provide model convincingly the potential of intentionally setting out on a quest of reconciliation, not only unto God but in practice now as we seek to break down the walls built around the many elements that hinder us from seeing the inner self and intentions of God's diverse people.
The strength of Ortiz's book lay in his use of church models seen in specific churches throughout the United States. They are helpful in seeing the pros and cons of both multiethnic churches and multi-congregational models, a distinction he clearly analyzes. If there is a downside to the book it is not contextually rather, in the organization and often-random points inserted and left unexplained. Sadly, these points nail an idea on the head but don't fully nail it down for the reader. This can be frustrating. In the end, he leaves the reader excited and more fully ready for the task of multiethnic or congregational models of church. However, it is only excitement and leaves some room for further study and compilation of a more resourceful implementation of his concepts. That would be to answer the question, of what this looks like and how, practically speaking, do you do it?
Anyone interested in pursuing integration, or as many are calling it reconciliation over ethnic lines, this is a must read. It is extremely insightful and opens up a challenging world of great hope and opportunity. It provides a very realistic understanding of what multiethnic ministry could be. From this book, the reader will easily be able to know whether or not a ministry such as these is something they wish to pursue more seriously. However, a word of caution, those not really wanting to be convinced of this great form of ministry ought not read Ortiz's book. Otherwise, you may find yourself caught up in the beautiful possibilities of a diverse world more perfectly in the image of God.

Summary:

Ortiz argues that the mission of the church is to reach people with the gospel. To be faithful to its mission, the church must be reaching the people who live in the United States as well as the thousands of people who immigrate here each year. The church, in order to be honoring to its Lord and obedient to His Word, must ultimately become multiethnic or at least be moving in that direction.

Ortiz first summarizes the immigration data and identifies the various groups coming to this country. He then argues that an adequate definition of multiethnic church must include both quantitative and qualitative dimensions. There must be more than a mere smattering of another race within a church before it can claim to be multiethnic. Furthermore, a true multiethnic church is more than a variety of cultures meeting together under one roof. The life of the church and the organization of its ministry must genuinely reflect the diversity of the membership. There must be authentic reconciliation between the various groups. This is unnatural. Therefore, it will take time, hard work, and the Grace of God to achieve.

Ortiz argues for a multiethnic church but admits that language barriers may make the multi-congregational church the best option. The multi-congregational church forms an umbrella church and ministers to several different ethnic groups clustered in multiple congregations beneath it, each composed of a specific ethnic group. In most cases the congregations share facilities but do not fully integrate with one another. This distinction as a separate, autonomous congregation is usually for language reasons but can also be for racial or ethnic reasons.

Following his discussion of the multi-congregational church, Ortiz returns to his thesis that only a true multiethnic church honors God adequately. He argues that the key to developing a true multiethnic church is leadership. Ortiz argues that this normally means the senior pastor must receive the vision, cast the vision, and stick it out until it is realized. Most successful pastors are formally trained, have a strong commitment to the authority of Scripture, and have a burning commitment to missions. They are also deeply committed to spiritual formation and rely heavily on prayer and fasting.

The church's task is to neither destroy nor maintain ethnic identities. The church's task is to replace all former identities with a new identity in Christ. Therefore, the church of Christ must move toward developing a new humanity in Christ, a humanity that will express itself in the multiethnic church.

Outstanding Strengths:

Ortiz is obviously a gentle and humble man. His research is extensive and his conclusions valid. Ortiz distills the principles of true biblical reconciliation and then illustrates them with real-life examples.

Outstanding Weaknesses:

The structure and flow of the book could be improved. It moves back and forth between ideas instead of presenting them in a clear, logical, and complete progression.

The book could also be improved by adding a "how-to" section on the development of adequate leaders to move our churches from homogeneous churches to true multiethnic churches.

Who Should Read the Book:

The book is not highly technical; therefore, it is very accessible to anyone interested in ministering or witnessing in a multiethnic context. I believe that certainly anyone in a leadership role in a church in the USA should read the book. I also believe that any Christian interested in reaching our nation with the holistic gospel would benefit from reading the book.

This is a very helpful guide to a vexing issue. The book is a very easy read and has a good bit of great information. Its only drawbacks are dated material and the habbit of rapid topic switching by the author. Neither issue is overly vexing but the latter dose require the reader to pay special attention at times.

If the demographics of your church do not look anything like the ethnic diversity of your neighborhood, Manuel Ortiz's book is a great place to start your educational research. I found this book especially helpful in describing different church models of approaching multi-ethnic outreach.

One important goal for people who are ministering among churches should be the developing of a multiethnic Church. In order to understand what is happening in society, we should understand the context in which there is a national trend of immigration. In addition, we have to know more about people who are coming from other countries. Who are they? What kinds of values do they have? The most important question is who is our neighbor because this will allow us to know these people much better. According to Ortiz 32 million people speak a language other than English. He mentions the necessity of thinking more holistically when we are thinking about mission work in the United States. Ortiz considers that the purpose of multiethnic ministry is reconciliation. However Wagner pointed out two more purposes, evangelism and church growth. Perhaps the first one makes more sense. In fact, many churches have becoming multiethnic because of the desire of reconciliation. For example, there is a model whose purpose is a missiological imperative.
This type of church maintains a traditional organization. Another ministry is a multi-congregation. The author refers to this term when he explains how several different groups fellowship in the same building. According to Ortiz, there are many aspects that have to be considered in order to accomplish the goal of a multiethnic-church. Analyzing a church that has successfully collected these aspects we can identify several characteristics: commitment to relationship, intentionally, sincerity, sensitivity,
interdependence, sacrifice, call, and empowerment. Ortiz reflects on the necessity of a leadership in order to build up multiethnic churches. The pastor should be a visionary man with a profound conviction to moving toward establishing a format that would bring diverse people groups together. There are several steps that are necessary to build up a new humanity. For example, declare in written form the biblical position of the church in this matter of unity in diversity, develop a mission statement, develop a philosophy of ministry, involve multiethnic leaders in the process, and the church must be deliberate in determining how to solve conflict. Finally, ministers should evaluate their ministries in order to see the Lord build up a new humanity. The multiethnic global reality inevitably will overtake Christian organizations; thus, ministers should do their homework by reflection, meditation and prayer.
The author's weaknesses.
Ortiz does not discuss how the Church had to handle multiethnicity in the first century. For example, one case is mentioned in Acts 6. The Greek widows were neglected in the daily administration of food. The church had to struggle with different issues because many multiethnic groups belonged to the church.
The author's strengths.
The author provides an excellent panorama of current churches that are already practicing multiethnic churches and ministry in multi congregations.
He describes a holistic approach of ministering for diverse people in order to fulfill the Scriptures.
He encourages leadership how to keep alive this type of ministry in a pluralistic society.