It’s suppose to be a virtue to embrace multiculturalism – to celebrate and appreciate the uniqueness of different cultures. People often seek cross-cultural experiences by going to other countries, or going across town. Exposure to diversity enriches our own lives.
But it seems to me most people just want to have an occasional multicultural experience for the fun of it. Not many really want to live with multiculturalism.
I go to a somewhat multicultural church with an English and a Chinese congregation. I say “somewhat multicultural” because we are all ethnic Chinese; the multicultural is in the degree of assimilation into the American culture. It’s not as multiculturally different than, say, between Norwegians and Brazilians.
Even with just a bit of diversity in our church, people, including me, seem to find the multicultural aspects of our church rather cumbersome. You have to be patient with a different way of thinking, you have to adjust yourself to a different style, you have to try to understand different values and priorities. Because of the conflicts that often arise out of the inherent differences, churches like ours have a hard time getting pass those barriers.
People have left the ethnic churches to go to a more homogeneous church, such as an Asian American church where highly Americanized Asians would feel comfortable among those who are similar. There is at least no language barrier.
To be honest, I am tempted to attend an Asian American church too. It would be easier. I would be more comfortable. But is my comfort what church is about?
In a multicultural church, I learn not only the meaning of tolerance, I have to live it. I have to live I Corinthians 12, with diversity of members in the body. I have to live I Corinthians 13, with the true definition of love. Yes, these lessons can be learned anywhere. But in a multicultural church, love for the brotherhood is tested to the limit.
Is there hope for multicultural churches? Can we thrive amidst the conflict and misunderstandings?
All I know is, God is at work in ways we don’t see. Culturally homogeneous churches certainly seem to grow easier. But there is a lot of growth inside the lives of those of us in a multicultural church. And in the Kingdom of God, that counts too.